A 70-year-old hiker who disappeared in Isle Royale National Park a week earlier was found alive and alert Saturday, officials said.
Craig Berg was experiencing hypothermia when Coast Guard and Michigan State Police teams located and rescued him, authorities reported.
“The Coast Guard and Michigan State Police rescued an injured, ailing man Saturday after he went missing in Isle Royale National Park on Sept. 5,” the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes said.
Footage shared by officials shows a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City lifting Berg from the island. He was flown to a regional airport in Gwinn, where he was taken for emergency medical care.
A Coast Guard helicopter crew lifts 70-year-old Craig Berg from Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior on Sept. 12, 2026. (USCGGreatLakes; Berg Family via Isle Royale National Park)
Authorities have not said what occurred during Berg’s disappearance and have released no further information about the injuries he suffered.
Berg was first discovered Saturday by backpackers who officials described as “good Samaritans.” Michigan State Police foot patrols and K-9 teams later reached him.
The extensive search operation drew support from multiple agencies and included a 45-foot Coast Guard vessel, drones and seaplanes.
The National Park Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Public Safety all took part in the search, according to Lt. Ben Eckola, a Michigan State Police public information officer.
“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,” Eckola said in a statement.
Michigan State Police K-9 officers travel aboard a Coast Guard helicopter over Lake Superior toward Isle Royale National Park on Sept. 11, 2026. (USCGGreatLakes, courtesy Air Station Traverse City)
The Detroit Free Press reported that Berg, who lives in Royal Oak, Michigan, entered Isle Royale National Park on Aug. 27 for a lengthy solo hike. He was expected to return home but had not come back by Sept. 5.
Isle Royale National Park is located on a remote island in Lake Superior near the Canadian border.
Due to its remote location, Isle Royale is one of the least-visited national parks and has limited infrastructure.
Berg’s wife, Debbie, told the Detroit Free Press that only two rangers are stationed on the island and that the park has two camp stores and a lodge.
Officials deployed water, land and air crews to search for Craig Berg after he went missing on Sept. 5, 2026. (USCGGreatLakes)
According to the park’s website, cell phone service is often “unreliable,” and many types of equipment are generally prohibited on the island, including bicycles, motorized vehicles and drones.
