National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation

07/30/2026

We are proud to be among the National Park Foundation's 2026 grantees! Partnership makes a huge difference in the health of our parks and our capacity grant from NPF will help us make collaborative efforts around Lake Superior’s five national parks more efficient and effective.

The National Park Foundation (NPF) is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.

07/29/2026

Exciting news! A new volunteer-powered Heritage Alliance will be leading coordinated preservation of Isle Royale National Park’s historic structures, which include approximately 90 cabins, 19 fishery buildings, and four lighthouses.

Retired global business executive, preservation advocate, and lifelong Lake Superior enthusiast Jan Reyers will be serving as volunteer director. NPLSF is proud to be coordinating this effort with the National Park Service and we are thankful for the many volunteers involved!

Volunteers are the heart of coordinated effortThis summer National Park Service officials announced the launch of the Isle Royale Heritage Alliance, a new effort to advance coordinated protection and improvement of Isle Royale National Park’s historic structures—approximately 90 cabins, 19 fishe...

07/28/2026

Mark your calendar for a Star Party on Thursday, August 6! NPLSF is excited to be a leading partner in this Grand Portage National Monument event. Enjoy stargazing, a session on dark sky photography, Junior Ranger activities, s’mores, and more!

Grand Portage National Monument to Host Night Sky Event

07/21/2026

Across the Lake Superior region, humans and communities have struggled with dense smoke and areas of fire. How are Northeast Minnesota moose managing these conditions? NPLSF’s Wildlife Biologist Adam Mortensen provided some quick insights. Watch for more information to come from Adam and his fellow researchers at the Northern Moose Alliance.
https://www.nplsf.org/post/fire-smoke-and-moose-three-questions

As smoke blankets the Lake Superior region, and wildfires burn nearby, we checked with our wildlife biologist, Adam Mortensen, to learn about potential impacts on Northeast Minnesota’s moose populations.

07/18/2026

Due to heavy smoke conditions on Isle Royale, seaplanes were grounded for multiple days, causing a backlog of delayed seaplane passengers in both Rock Harbor and Windigo.

To relieve this backlog, RANGER III added additional trips, with VOYAGEUR II assisting in transporting passengers from Windigo to Rock Harbor in order to catch RANGER III back to Houghton, MI.

RANGER III has departed Isle Royale, and will arrive in Houghton this evening. All backlogged seaplane passengers have departed the island.

Thank you to RANGER III and VOYAGEUR II crews for their assistance and collaboration to assist Isle Royale visitors.

For more information about the current conditions on Isle Royale, visit: https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/current-conditions-at-isle-royale.htm.

📸 A Isle Royale we**am shot of smoky conditions in Rock Harbor / NPS

07/15/2026

Smoke is blanketing all of Lake Superior’s national parks, and all have air quality warnings.

Northeastern Minnesota is in the grip of a major wildfire emergency: 17+ fires are burning across the Superior National Forest, prompting Governor Walz to declare a peacetime emergency and mobilize the Minnesota National Guard.

The smoke has made its way to Grand Portage National Monument, where air quality has been ranked the worst in the entire country and the Historic Depot has been closed until further notice. Please, if you’re in the area, stay indoors and avoid exertion outside.

Meanwhile, at Isle Royale National Park, staff confirmed a small fire at Red Rock Point in Tobin Harbor on the morning of July 14. It is now extinguished but park staff are actively monitoring the site and fire crews are standing by.

Our thoughts are with the firefighters, park staff, and communities working to keep people and these wild places safe. We’ll share updates as we learn more.

Five National Parks · One Superior Lake

07/15/2026

Some places stay with you long after the boat leaves the dock. Karen Bacula first visited Isle Royale in 1997 and has returned again and again—helping organize and lead Moosewatch expeditions, working with educators and learning what the island can teach about patience, preparation and living close to the natural world. Hear her stories in this episode with Walt Lindala and Frida Waara.
Listen here: https://www.nplsf.org/lake-superior-podcast/episode/7af2ae48/s7-e11-moosewatch-wilderness-learning-and-the-lasting-pull-of-isle-royale-with-karen-bacula

07/08/2026

From Artist in Residence programs to Weatherization Projects on park buildings, your support of NPLSF improves Lake Superior’s national parks! In honor of our 20th Anniversary, here are twenty ways your support makes a difference! Take a look and consider making an special anniversary donation today!

NPLSF–and you–are more important than ever