Isle Royale National Park seeks public comments on new fares proposed for Ranger III

Ranger III, the National Park Service's ferry to Isle Royale. (Photo courtesy Isle Royale National Park)

HOUGHTON -- The Ranger III, the National Park Service’s ferry to and from Isle Royale, has been sailing under the same fare structure since 2013. Isle Royale National Park is now proposing to update the Ranger III passenger and freight fares for 2018 and encourages the public to comment on these proposed changes before a final decision is made. The comment period is open until Dec. 8, 2017.

The proposed fare changes include the following:

• One-Way Low Season Adult Fare: $55 (up from $53 in 2017)
• One-Way High Season Adult Fare: $70 (up from $63 in 2017)
• One-Way All Season Child Fare: $35 (up from $23 in 2017)
• One-Way Canoe/Kayak Fare: $30 (up from $22 in 2017)
• One-Way Boat (less than 18’01”) Fare: $100 (up from $90 in 2017)
• One-Way Boat (18’01” – 20’00”) Fare: $150 (up from $140 in 2017)
• Keweenaw Waterway Cruise Adult Fare: $30 (up from $20 in 2017)
• Keweenaw Waterway Cruise Child Fare: $15 (up from $5 in 2017)

Click here for the full Ranger III passenger and freight proposed fare structure.

To comment, stop by the Houghton Visitor Center Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., or go online at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ranger3fares.

All Ranger III fares stay within the park, help to maintain the vessel, pay staffing costs, and provide services for the public. The proposed fare change would take effect starting January 2, 2018.

Keweenaw Waterway Cruises on Ranger III begin July 16

Ranger III will be taking passengers on Thursday afternoon Keweenaw Waterway Cruises beginning this Thursday, July 16. (Photo courtesy Isle Royale National Park)

HOUGHTON -- Isle Royale National Park is accepting reservations for the Keweenaw Waterway Cruises on the following Thursday afternoons: July 16, July 23, July 30, and August 20. Ranger III will depart the Houghton dock at 1 p.m. for a two and a half hour cruise which travels on the Keweenaw Waterway and returns to the Houghton dock at 3:30 p.m.

The 165 foot Ranger III, piloted by Captain Bill Hanrahan, with a crew of nine, can carry up to 128 passengers. In addition to scenic vistas and wildlife observations, the cruise will venture a short distance into Lake Superior. It is advisable for passengers to bring a light jacket to protect against the frequent chill. Refreshments are available at the Ranger III Grill.

Due to the cruises’ popularity, advance reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 906-482-0984 or by stopping in the Isle Royale National Park’s Houghton Visitor Center. Ticket prices are: $20 for adults, $5 for youth under sixteen, and infant tickets are free. The cruise is an excellent opportunity for a get-together with your family and friends to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the Keweenaw Waterway.

Educators may still apply for Moosewatch Expedition on Isle Royale

ISLE ROYALE -- Educators can participate in the wolf/moose research on Isle Royale National Park through ED5560: Ecology of Isle Royale for Educators. A few openings remain for the course being offered from July 29 through August 6. Applications for Moosewatch for Educators will be accepted until Friday, June 27.

Access is via Ranger III, departing from Houghton to Mott Island.

Click here for the Web site giving details about the trip and how to apply.

For more information contact Leah Vucetich at lmvuceti@mtu.edu.

Enter Raffle and win a trip to Isle Royale!

Isle Royale sunset looking west across Tobin Harbor. Click on photo for larger version. (Photos © and courtesy Janet Marr)

HOUGHTON -- Win a trip to Isle Royale! There’s still time to enter the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association’s (IRKPA) raffle (R13395) to win a round trip for two on the Isle Royale Queen from Copper Harbor and two nights lodging at Rock Harbor Lodge (late May-early July 2012; value $750).

Second prize: round trip for two on the NPS Ranger III from Houghton (value $240). Third prize: two IRKPA books (value $50).

NPS Ranger III, docked in Houghton, takes visitors to Isle Royale all summer. Enter the raffle and a chance to win a round trip for two to the island!

Buy tickets ($5 each or 3 for $10) at the Isle Royale NP Visitor Center in Houghton (open from 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. M-F) or the Calumet Visitor Center, 98 5th St, Calumet (open from 9a.m. - 5 p.m. Th-Sat).

The drawing will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Quincy Mine Office on Quincy Hill north of Hancock (49445 N US Hwy 41). Winners need not be present. Proceeds benefit IRKPA’s programs in support of our national parks.