Visiting the Bangsund Cabin in Isle Royale

Destinations Midwest Michigan Isle Royale

Visiting the Bangsund Cabin in Isle Royale

The Bangsund Cabin is a historic landmark in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, offering a glimpse into the early 20th-century life of the island's fishing community. This cabin provides both solitude and a unique cultural experience, making it a significant site for visitors seeking to understand the rich heritage of Isle Royale. Its preservation highlights the importance of local lore and natural beauty, drawing both history enthusiasts and nature lovers to its doorstep.

Adventure Guide To Visiting the Bangsund Cabin

Location and Access: The cabin is located near Chippewa Harbor, approximately a 2-mile hike from the harbor area. Visitors can reach the cabin by taking the well-maintained trails that weave through picturesque landscapes, including forests and coastal views.
Historical Significance: Built in the 1930s, the Bangsund Cabin serves as a representation of the island's fishing history. It was constructed by one of the early residents, contributing to the local fishing economy. The cabin's rustic charm offers visitors a chance to step back in time and imagine life on the island in a simpler era.
Amenities: The cabin is equipped with basic furnishings, including a wood stove for heating and a picnic table outside for meals. While it has limited modern conveniences, this simplicity allows for an immersive experience surrounded by nature.

Local Insights

A visit to Bangsund Cabin offers not just a peek into local history but also provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Loons and otters are often seen nearby, and the surrounding area is home to the island's unique flora, including rare wildflowers.

Visitor Tips

Best Times to Visit: The ideal time for visiting is late spring through early autumn (May to October) when weather conditions are favorable for hiking and exploring.
What to Bring: Essentials include water, hiking boots, snacks, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery. Lightweight shelters or blankets for picnics are also recommended.
Travel Directions: From the mainland, reach Isle Royale via ferry or seaplane, which takes about 1-2 hours. Once on the island, follow marked trails to reach the cabin.

Visiting the Bangsund Cabin offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, making it a must-see destination in Isle Royale.

Adventure Map

Reviews

stinaa year ago

An absolutely life-changing experience. If you are questioning whether or not to come here and are on the fence, definitely visit Isle Royale. I stayed at Three Mile, Daisy Farms, Mcargoe Cove, West Chickenbone, and Moskey Basin. If I had to rank them, it would be 1. Moskey Basin- absolutely beautiful and super cool rock formations, and a sandy beach. 2-Daisy farms-very large, nice dock. Water super clear and blue, and campsites were nice 3-Mcargoe Cove-super friendly people, boat access, and a beaver dam across the cove! 4- Three mile- nice dock, clean latrine, and only 3 miles from Rock Harbor. 5-West Chickenbone-Very mosquitoey, and campsites were hard to navigate. It was a long, confusing hike and we weren't sure where to go in order to get to the campsite. Still a good one, but backcountry so no water access except chickenbone lake, which I am not sure if it has algae blooms. My experience with Isle Royale was amazing and if you get a group of people together, it is super fun.

Yulia Freeman2 years ago

Isle Royal is my favorite place. We stayed for 3 days at the cabin. We were lucky to see many animals during our stay. Next time I would love to stay much longer.

M L3 years ago

Secluded park with lots of moose and wildlife. Most dense forest I have ever been too. There was about half the people doing long trip hiking and the other half like me visited for a half day. This park is a ferry ride away and is carry in and carry out so you really need to plan advance to visit and stay here. I enjoyed the park immensely though.

Derek Abbott2 years ago

Well my scouts had to choose between Yellowstone and Isle Royale for a summer trip (with the flooding, I'm glad they picked here). I took ages 9-16 out. We opted for a ferry ride out and back. We we spent 5 nights on the Isle. Backpacked to different campsites everyday. The trails are well marked (we hiked 32 miles of the island, with a lot more to go). The locations of all campsites are also well marked. At Windigo, there are 2 different options for sleeping. There are enclosed shelters or tent sites. We chose a shelter for our final night since it is right on the inlet. We were able to see several moose walking the waters at sunset. Red Fox also visited our site. The cove has a spectacular view. Even though the water was chilly, the scouts were out splashing around, having a great time. While hiking, we ran across very few people on the trails. Very few hikers and the park being so remote, were huge parts of the peacefulness and quietness that we all enjoyed. The rangers were all fantastic and the employees at the shop were also friendly. The shop does have some supplies, but they only get shipments every 4 weeks. So if you are planning on being there just overnight or several nights be prepared, they may not have what you need. You must be able to filter your water, chemically treat it, or boil it. Only windigo and the northern port have potable water. Cell service is basically non existent. Every now and then, I had an American signal. Other times I picked up a Canadian signal. I am definitely going back. Wether it is with more scouts or by myself.

Zachariah Roberts3 years ago

Isle Royale is a beautiful park. It's very remote and the further you get from the boat dock, the more dense the forest gets. Lots of vocal wildlife including moose. I went here for a day trip, which meant about 4 hours on the island between the ferry rides. There are plenty of easy hikes in the area, but also long ones if you plan for overnight camping.

Camping

Visiting the Bangsund Cabin in Isle Royale