Isle Royale National Park Service Staff look forward to welcoming visitors to the island park this summer. While many rumors have floated about potential service and operation gaps in 2025, the National Park Service Washington Headquarters confirmed to Visit Keweenaw the Isle Royale’s Ranger III will soon leave for the first supply trip. The park expects the first trip to Isle Royale to occur later in the month, depending on snow and ice coverage in the Keweenaw Waterway. The NPS Headerquater’s office stated that it does not comment on specific staff questions due to federal policy.
The United States Coast Guard expects a cutter will travel through the Keweenaw Waterway when more ice melts over the canal. Ice breaking operations in the Portage Canal typically begin during April, dependent of ice coverage.
According to the Ranger III reservation page, 72 seats remain open for the first opportunity to visit the National Park on May 27th.
In February Outside Magazine reported one Isle Royale park staff member was fired as a part of the February 14th NPS and USFS staff cuts. National Parks Traveler reported last week the Ranger III has been stuck in the portage canal, in part due to staff on the engineering crew accepting the September retirement buyout from the current administration. USA Jobs dot com lists one staff position open on the vessel, a Seasonal ordinary seaman, or deckhand. The position was listed last week, with a starting wage of 26 dollars and 96 cents per hour. Other seasonal staff roles have also been posted such as a seasonal park ranger at Isle Royale, pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Pinnacles NP, and Yosemite NP.
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