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Isle Royale's Ranger III Good To Go

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By

NPT Staff

Published Date

May 1, 2025

The Ranger III is back in operation at Isle Royale National Park/NPS file

Ranger III, the ferry the National Park Service operates to get visitors and supplies to Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, was to make runs this week to the national park to haul supplies for the summer season.

"We're in freight season and these early trips get staff and supplies out to the park so we can start opening facilities. The first passenger trip is May 27," said park spokesperson Elizabeth Valencia.

Park Service officials would not specifically address earlier reports that the ship's two engineers had taken up the Trump administration's offer to retire early but remain on the payroll through September. 

"We have the crew numbers needed to sail," was all Valencia would say when asked if the park had to hire new engineers.

It takes the Ranger III about 6.5 hours to traverse the 76 nautical miles between Houghton, Michigan, and the national park, which typically is closed to visitors from November 1 to April 15.

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