Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Beaver Island, part of Isle Royale National Park. The National Park Service has updated regulations regarding the storage of food in the National Park.

HOUGHTON – To implement the most effective methods of keeping wildlife safe from human food/food waste, and humans safe from wildlife, Isle Royale park managers continue to evaluate and improve food storage regulations. According to a press release from the National Park Service (NPS), food storage covers the proper storage of food, as well as trash, scented items, cooking supplies, cooking utensils, and fish or fish parts. Updated regulations went into effect April 16 as per the Superintendent’s Compendium – Isle Royale National Park (U.S. National Park Service).

According to the press release, “Everyone backpacking, camping, canoeing and kayaking, must store food, trash, and scented items in a food storage locker, or in an approved, animal-resistant, hard-sided container. For boaters, food, trash, and scented items need to be stored in a food storage locker, or in an approved, animal-resistant, hard-sided container, or inside an enclosed, hard-sided, locked boat cabin or compartment.”

The NPS advises those camping off-trail, store food, trash, and scented items in approved, animal-resistant, hard-sided containers and stash 200 feet away from campsite or hang those items from a tree. Food hanging is not allowed in campgrounds.

Day visitors should keep their food with them and store packs and other items temporarily in backpack storage areas in Rock Harbor and Windigo/Ozaagaateng.

Hard-sided containers on the list found at https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-resistant-products/, are approved. Containers not on the list are not guaranteed to meet the new food storage requirements. Soft-sided containers, such as mesh or dry bags, must be stored in a food storage locker.

For any activities in the park, never leave food or packs unattended. Do not store food, trash, and scented items inside shelters or tents.

For more information on food storage regulations, see the 2026 issue of the Greenstone park newspaper, visit https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/food-storage.htm, or contact the Houghton Visitor Center at (906) 482-0984.

Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.