HOUGHTON — Isle Royale National Park will start increasing recreational access to the park this weekend.

The decision comes after guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of Michigan and local public health authorities, the park said in a release.

To this point, the island has only been open for day-use boating and overnight anchoring.

“We’re glad we’re finally to this point,” Liz Valencia, acting superintendent at Isle Royale, said Tuesday. “We’ve been working on the phased opening plan for a while now, and we feel we’ve made some good decisions in slowing opening the park and managing risk.”

Isle Royale’s reopening is part of a phased approach being taken by the National Park Service (NPS) on a case-by-case basis. The NPS is working with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Friday, most campgrounds, docks and trails will reopen. The exceptions are the North Desor campground and the Minong Trail from the Hatchet Lake junction to the East Huginnin Trail junction, which will stay closed for the summer.

“It’s very remote and any kind of emergency response, emergency evacuations from that area are complicated and take a lot of time,” Valencia said. “This summer, we have a lack of staff to be able to deal with those emergencies.”

Rescuers may need to wear respirators and N95 face masks, which will inhibit their breathing, requiring a larger group than usual, Valencia said.

Additionally, because of the late start, many downed trees around those areas have yet to be cleared, Valencia said.

Also Friday, the Houghton, Rock Harbor and Windigo Visitor Centers will open, albeit with reduced hours and capacities and limited services.

People are asked to pay entrance fees in advance at pay.gov. Boater overnight permits will be issued by phone and email from the Houghton visitor center. Seaplane passengers who want backcountry camping permits will have them issued upon arrival on the island. For more information, call (906) 482-0984 or email isro_parkinfo@nps.gov.

Isle Royale Seaplanes will resume operations on Saturday, flying to the park from Hancock and Grand Marais, Minnesota.

They should be able to fly between 2,000 and 2,500 people to the island this season, well below the 18,000 visitors who came last year, said Jon Rector, director of operations for Isle Royale Seaplanes.

Passengers will also see a difference in extra procedures to ensure their safety, Rector said. When they arrive at the seaplane base, they will have their temperature taken and be asked COVID screening questions. Employees and passengers will be required to wear masks, Rector said.

“There won’t be any social distancing on the plane, but other mitigating steps we’re taking will hopefully keep anyone from transmitting the virus,” he said.

Rector had been surprised by the number of people making reservations even before there was a firm opening date. When official word came Tuesday, they took 53 bookings — “easily a record for us,” Rector said.

“The highest we’ve ever processed in one day would probably be in the neighborhood of 25 to 30,” he said.

Starting July 1, Rock Harbor and Windigo will sell gasoline and diesel fuel for boaters. The Rock Harbor Dockside Store will open with a limited selection of camping food and supplies.

Some locations and services will stay closed for the summer due to public health reasons.

Along with North Desor and a section of the Minong trail, they are: the Rock Harbor Lodge, including the lodge, housekeeping cabins, gift shop, Lighthouse Restaurant, Greenstone grill, marina (except for fuel sales), fishing charters, sightseeing tours and water taxi service); Windigo Store, marina and camper cabins; and passenger ferry service to the island.

Valencia anticipates the park will continue operating through the end of October, as it normally does.

The public is asked to follow state and local health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and refrain from high-risk outdoor activities.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/conditions.htm and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.