Missing Michigan hiker found alive on Isle Royale

Updated Sept. 13 at 9 a.m.

A 70-year-old Michigan hiker who had been reported missing since Sept. 6 was found alive and alert on Saturday, according to Isle Royale National Park officials.

Craig Berg of Royal Oak, Mich., had been on a multi-day hike along the Greenstone Trail, a 40-mile route that runs the length of the 206-square-mile island in Lake Superior.

Berg was scheduled to leave Isle Royale aboard the Ranger III a week ago on Sept. 5 and return home. When he did not arrive home as expected, his family contacted law enforcement and reported him missing the following day.

Authorities said good Samaritan backpackers found Berg on the island, and then Michigan State Police troopers and K-9 units located Berg, who was reportedly injured and hypothermic.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City, Mich., hoisted and transported him to Marquette Regional Airport. Authorities said they then transported Berg to a local hospital for further medical care.

Authorities did not immediately release additional information about where Berg was found on the island or the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Additional information will take time to investigate and share,” Isle Royale National Park officials said.

“We’re thankful that missing hiker, Craig Berg, was found alive and alert on Isle Royale,” said Lt. Ben Eckola, Michigan State Police Eighth District Public Information Officer in a Saturday statement. “The collaboration and hard work of everyone involved in the search helped locate Craig safely.“

Lt. Eckola said, “We appreciate the Michigan State Police personnel who helped, as well as our partners at the U.S. Coast Guard, National Park Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Minnesota Department of Public Safety. We’re also thankful to the fellow hikers who helped, Isle Royale Seaplanes, and No One Left Behind K9 Search and Rescue. Everyone’s efforts played an important part in finding Craig.”

“This rescue is a testament to teamwork and what can be accomplished when first responders and members of the community come together,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson, command duty officer, Sector Northern Great Lakes command center. “We are extremely grateful we were able to get Mr. Berg safely off the island and deliver him to the medical care he needed.”

Below is a sign that was posted on Isle Royale National Park alerting backpackers and visitors that Craig Berg was missing.

Kalli Hawkins September 12, 2026