Isle Royale's Wolf Problem Just Led to a Season-Long Tent Ban

A surge in wolf activity has prompted a tent camping ban at Michigan's Isle Royale National Park. Read on for the details of this ban and how park officials are trying to protect visitors of the popular tourist destination.

National Park Service Prohibits Tent Camping Due to an Uptick in Wolf Sightings

National Park Service (NPS) officials confirmed that tent camping is now prohibited at Isle Royale National Park due to elevated wolf activity. The ban started on August 28 and will continue until the park closes for the season on October 31. Officials closed some campsites and also banned hammock use at the Daisy Farm, Three Mile, Moskey Basin, and Caribou Island campgrounds. In addition, the off-trail camping zones near these campgrounds are also closed until next season.

A statement detailed that “The park continues to receive reports of wolves being interested in tents at these campgrounds, pawing and digging at tents and entering tents to drag packs and sleeping pads away."

Closing the campgrounds was a last resort for the park. Last month, the park installed a backpack storage cage at Three Mile campground to try to deter the wolves. Visitors were required to use these cages as well as the ones located at Rock Harbor. Officials also required that all food, trash, and anything with a scent be stored in a secure container or food storage lockers.

Although eight campsites and 13 tent sites are closed for the season, there are still 32 shelters available for camping within the four impacted campgrounds. Park Superintendent Denice Swanke reminded visitors that “Fall is a lovely time to visit the park, and all Isle Royale campgrounds remain open."

Previous Issues with the Region's Wolves

The increase in wolf activity has been an ongoing issue for the park. Isle Royale also closed the tent and group campsites at Three Mile Campground during the peak of the season for three weeks in July. According to the NPS, a wolf was observed pawing and sniffing at tents. The animal also was seen dragging away backpacks and entering a tent, prompting concern that humans could be in danger.

The park noted that the fact that the wolves are honing in on tents and backpacks "is a serious concern." Duncan Narrows Campground was also closed from July 13 to August 4 due to an increase in observed wolf activity. The increase in wolf sightings was blamed on improperly stored food. At least one wolf was seen accessing a shelter and pulling out items.

Park workers tried several strategies to deter the wolves, including sounding airhorns, shouting, and firing paintball guns to make noise.

Isle Royale National Park is an island located in the middle of Lake Superior. The National Park Foundation (NPF) notes that the park encompasses 850 square miles and includes 36 campgrounds surrounded by 165 miles of hiking trails.

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