Rugged, Remote, Wild, & Waiting for You
A cluster of remote islands in the middle of Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is home to wolves, moose, a cool climate, and clear waters. There's no national park as unique and untamed; it’s the perfect place to pursue a career while living life on the edge. Isle Royale is one of America's least visited but most revisited national parks, and we're excited for you to experience why!
Rock Harbor Lodge is located at the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park, an island in the middle of Lake Superior. The Lodge is nestled in “Snug Harbor” with access to many hiking trails, canoes, kayaks and motorboats. Rock Harbor Lodge is about 60 miles from the Michigan shoreline. Therefore, it requires a 6 hour boat ride, or 35 minute seaplane flight.
About Isle Royale Resorts, LLC
Rock Harbor Lodge at Isle Royale offers careers across hospitality, retail, culinary, operations, food service, marina, sightseeing transportation, and maintenance. It’s the perfect place to pursue what matters, whether you’re looking for a seasonal opportunity or ready to build a long-lasting career.
With spectacular views, sunrises and sunsets, fun on the water, abundance of wildlife, working at Rock Harbor Lodge is perfect for nature lovers, adventure seekers, go-getters, and anyone seeking the thrill of a lifetime! Because of the park’s popularity and unique appeal, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside employees and serve guests from all over the world.
Our operations on the east side of the island in Rock Harbor includes lakeside lodges, housekeeping cottages, two full-service restaurants, a gift shop, a marina, a sightseeing tour boat, fishing charters, a water taxi service, general store, public showers, and public laundry facilities. On the west side of the island in Windigo, we operate cabins, another marina, a small general store, and additional showers and laundry facilities.
The Employee Experience
No two days are the same with Aramark Destinations! Employees come to Isle Royale National Park from all over the world; with such a diverse staff, you’ll be part of a community that encourages cultural exchange and knowledge sharing.
You’ll have the opportunity to spend your days building a career in hospitality and your free time enjoying the outdoors. Enjoy hiking, fishing charters, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and free recreational and sightseeing activities! Isle Royale National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, wolves, bald eagles, osprey, and ducks, and many carnivorous plant species.
Surrounded by a large, cold body of water, employees can expect temperatures in the 40s and 50s early May and in June and sporadically throughout the season. During July, and August, temperatures can range from 60-80 degrees. September gives a perfect blend of warm sunny days and cool fall-like days! Lake Superior is known for her short temper, wild storms, and cool breezes on the shore. Summers can often be windy, wild, and wet, so plenty of clothes, layers, rain jackets, and sturdy shoes are a must!
Along with amazing career opportunities and great outdoor adventures during time off, employees will get to enjoy staff-only holiday celebrations, movie nights, sports tournaments, socials, canoe races, pie-eating contests, and more!
Ideal Candidate
Our employees work together to create great experiences for our customers and guests! If you have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and are seeking the experience of living, working, and learning in a beautiful setting, Isle Royale National Park is the perfect place to pursue what matters to you and your career. Here, you’ll be surrounded by supportive leaders and passionate teammates, all while having access to amazing career opportunities.
Isle Royale employees love where we work, share a passion for hospitality, and believe in the mission of the National Park Service. With such a small and diverse staff, Rock Harbor Lodge provides a community atmosphere and encourages cultural exchange.
Room and Board
All employees at Isle Royale live in company-provided housing: dormitory-style or guesthouse rooms with roommates. Rooms come with basic furniture and share bathrooms. Our team attempts to accommodate housing couples and roommate requests, but availability is limited. Pets are not permitted inside employee housing. Isle Royale’s Employee Dining Room is located close to housing and offers three hot meals daily.
Upon joining the team, employees are enrolled in a room and board plan and will have $11.50 deducted daily from their paycheck. A refundable housing and uniform deposit of $125 is also required and will be returned if the room is left clean and undamaged and uniform is returned in good condition with normal wear.
Employee Perks
Working at Isle Royale is a special experience, and we want to make sure that our employees are able to make the most of living, working, and learning here for the season. As part of the Aramark team, you’ll have access to:
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Discounts at retail and dining locations
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Planned activities and events at a free or low cost
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Free sightseeing tours, water taxis, and canoe and kayak rentals based on availability
Getting Here and Getting Around
Located in the center of Lake Superior, Isle Royale is only accessible by seaplane or boat. Ranger III, Isle Royale Queen IV, and Isle Royale Seaplanes depart from Michigan. Voyageur II, Sea Hunter, and Isle Royale Seaplanes depart from Minnesota. Rock Harbor and Windigo are the two main entry points to Isle Royale.
Employees must travel to Houghton, MI via air travel, a personal vehicle, or public transportation. Once in Houghton, the Ranger III passenger vessel takes travelers to the island and lodge. Isle Royale employees will receive a discounted fare for the boat trip. The Ranger III departs from Houghton on Tuesday and Friday mornings and is a six-hour ferry ride to the park.
There are no cars or roads on the island.
For Fun
The remote setting of Isle Royale National Park offers a rare opportunity to explore and experience nature at its finest. The park is home to moose, beavers, fox, and incredible birdlife; the lake also offers excellent fishing and stunning shipwrecks to see.
Rock Harbor Lodge has a recreation hall reserved only for the use of employees with a TV, DVD player, computer room, books, and other games to enjoy. During your time off, staff often enjoys hiking, camping, berry picking, canoeing, fishing, and camping.
Although it varies from season to season, the Isle Royale team offers a variety of activities for its employees: movie nights, card games, sports tournaments, socials, and more! Major holidays are also celebrated, including the 4th of July, Labor Day, and Christmoose! Enjoy the 4th of July with your teammates with a large cookout, canoe race, and bonfire, and celebrate Labor Day with a fish and seafood boil! Christmoose - Christmas in July - is believed to have started at Glacier National Park and continued to other parks with a moose population. Isle Royale is no exception. Our celebration includes carols, a large cookout, and a gift exchange.
How to Apply
*All Summer 2025 positions are accepting applications starting now!*
Use the link below to complete and submit your online application. Thank you for your interest!
International Application Information:
Aramark is proud to partner with J-1 Visa sponsor programs. Interested international applicants should apply directly with their host country sponsor to begin the process.
Contact Info
- Emily Herron
- herron-emily@aramark.com
- (734) 647-9864
- careers.aramarkdestinations.com
