Story perspectives

Missing hiker Craig Berg found alive on Isle Royale

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 2:26 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Craig Berg Rescued

U.S. National Park Service announced that 70-year-old Craig Berg was found alive on Isle Royale.
Berg had been missing since September 5, 2026, after failing to return on the Ranger III ferry.
Backpackers located him on September 12, 2026 while he was hiking the 40-mile Greenstone Trail.
Ground and air searches involved park staff, the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, and other partners.
Park officials said further investigation details will take time to share.

Summary

Park Officials Warn

Park officials warn visitors that cell service is unreliable and emergency contact may be delayed.
As of Aug. 28, alerts include low stream flow, toxic algal blooms, and tent-site closures for wildlife.
The 165-foot Ranger III ferry transports visitors between Houghton and Rock Harbor or Windigo.
Motorized vehicles do not operate on the 400-square-mile island.
Park wildlife such as moose and gray wolves require food-storage rules and campsite restrictions.

History

Historical Context

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created Isle Royale National Park on April 3 1940, giving the National Park Service authority to manage the remote Lake Superior island and to coordinate rescue operations with the Coast Guard and Michigan State Police. That framework, reinforced by later wilderness and UNESCO designations, enabled the 2026 rescue of 70-year-old Craig Berg after his disappearance on the Greenstone Trail.

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Craig Berg Rescued

U.S. National Park Service announced that 70-year-old Craig Berg was found alive on Isle Royale.
Berg had been missing since September 5, 2026, after failing to return on the Ranger III ferry.
Backpackers located him on September 12, 2026 while he was hiking the 40-mile Greenstone Trail.
Ground and air searches involved park staff, the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, and other partners.
Park officials said further investigation details will take time to share.

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