"Stay Safe, Stay Comfortable" Top 5 Page for this destination Houghton Warnings Or Dangers Tip by KimberlyAnn

There are black bears in the woods of the U.P., so be aware of their presence. Lake Superior has very cold-water temperatures, and can have violent storms, so if boating on Superior keep a watch on the weather reports. Swimming in Lake Superior is not desirable as the water temperature is very cold all year, although people do swim in protected bays. If you plan on skin diving be sure that you have proper full body wetsuits. (You can also swim at the Houghton or Hancock beaches in the Keweenaw Waterway, as well as a number of inland lakes.) Mosquitoes and black flies can be numerous in both the U.P. and on Isle Royal. Although they vary in numbers from year to year, I would recommend that you always come prepared with insect repellent. If visiting Isle Royal be aware that the trails are rocky and can be wet and slippery. Proper footwear should be worn when hiking. Also all surface drinking water in Isle Royal must be boiled for at least 5 minutes or filtered with a .4-micron filter before consumption. Tapeworm eggs may exist in the water and no chemical purification will kill these. Note that Isle Royal can be a popular area for backpackers, and you will have to register for campsites.