Isle Royale Feldtmann Loop

Isle Royale National Park (Windigo)

The Feldtmann Loop circles the southwest end of Isle Royale from Windigo. The National Park Service calls it “the most varied trail on the island,” with forest, ridgetops, cliffs, swamps, shoreline, and historic sites, and rates it for intermediate backpackers.

The NPS puts the loop at about 30.1 miles including spur trails to campgrounds and suggests four to five days. It starts and ends at the same ferry dock, so no shuttle or water taxi is needed.

The hike

The NPS describes the loop in four sections, each a day. Windigo to Feldtmann Lake (about 8.5 miles, Feldtmann Lake Trail) passes the remnants of an old Lake Superior shoreline. A SummitPost trip writer, who hiked counterclockwise in late August, describes a mile of shoreline walking, a gentle climb of about 240 feet to an overlook, and then more than six miles of winding woods that he found the most tedious part of the trip.

Feldtmann Lake to Siskiwit Bay (about 10.3 miles, Feldtmann Ridge Trail) is the long day. The NPS mentions a steep climb to the ridge with views of Feldtmann Lake and the western wilderness. SummitPost describes a low, marshy, often planked area around the lake before that climb, and suggests the Feldtmann fire tower, near the day’s midpoint, as a lunch stop.

Siskiwit Bay to Island Mine (about 4.3 miles, Island Mine Trail) passes Carnelian Beach and the remains of the historic Island Mine, according to the NPS. SummitPost found this trail steep in places, with many downed trees after gales.

Island Mine to Windigo (about 6.5 miles) follows the Greenstone Ridge Trail on an old mining road along the western ridge, then descends to Windigo (NPS).

Wildlife was the SummitPost writer’s highlight: a cow moose visiting Feldtmann Lake at dusk and dawn, wolf howls and a bugling moose at Siskiwit Bay around 2 a.m., and a cow and calf feeding in the creek at Washington Creek. He quotes the claim that Siskiwit Bay is “farther from a paved road than any other point in the lower 48 states,” while noting that it’s hard to square with being on an island.

The last leg shares tread with the Greenstone Ridge Trail, and the Minong Ridge Trail also ends at Windigo.

Tips

Go counterclockwise for a shorter first day. SummitPost says clockwise means 6.6 miles to Island Mine or about 11 to Siskiwit Bay after a late-morning ferry.
Carry water between camps. SummitPost found little away from campgrounds and said Feldtmann Lake water was hard on filters.
Allow extra time on the Island Mine Trail. SummitPost found it blocked by many downed trees after gales.
Pack layers. The NPS says Lake Superior makes weather change quickly.

Camping

Small parties (one to six) get a free permit from a ranger aboard the Ranger III or on arrival at Windigo; seaplane passengers self-permit (NPS). Campgrounds are first come, first served, and groups of seven or more need advance group reservations. Consecutive-night limits apply June 1 through Labor Day (through Sept. 21 at Washington Creek). Fires only in designated metal rings or standing grills. Filter and chemically treat backcountry water.

SummitPost found about ten sites at Feldtmann Lake (no shelters, a pit toilet), about ten sites plus two screened shelters at Siskiwit Bay near a dock, and shelters at Washington Creek, with hot showers at Windigo.

Inside Intel: The SummitPost writer liked Feldtmann Lake, where each of the roughly ten sites had its own small beach, though “not private.” He called Island Mine “by far the least attractive site,” with marginal water that may dry up late in the season, and recommended skipping it.

Trail facts

Distance: About 30.1 miles with spurs (NPS); 33 to 34 miles (SummitPost)
Route type: Loop from Windigo
Difficulty: Moderate; NPS rates it for intermediate backpackers
Campgrounds: Feldtmann Lake, Siskiwit Bay, Island Mine, Washington Creek
Water: Scarce between camps; filter and treat
Permits: Free small-party permit (1-6)
Pets: Not allowed (NPS trip pages)
Access: Ferry or seaplane to Windigo; park closed Nov. 1 to April 15
Last verified: October 8, 2026

The Lowdown

A small beach at Feldtmann Lake:

SummitPost found that each Feldtmann Lake site had its own small beach. Our tips help side sleepers pick soft, flat ground and dial in their pads.

Read the fixes →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.