Rendezvous returns to Lake Superior in ’26
By Niels Jensen, GLCC Treasurer, Past Commodore, Port Captain
The Rendezvous will return to Barkers Island Marina in 2026, in the twin ports of Duluth (S-187) and Superior (S-188) at the western end of Lake Superior. It’s a long trip for many Great Lakes Cruising Club members, but it promises to be memorable.
The GLCC’s flagship event will be July 10 to 14. It’s the fourth time it will be at Superior-Duluth, most recently in 2016. Rendezvous organizers plan to make this Lake Superior Rendezvous truly exceptional — and those who have attended any of the three previous Superior-Duluth Rendezvous know that is a very tall order.
2026 program details will be released soon.
Lake Superior has legendary status through songs and storytelling. Those anecdotes may cause some members to hesitate about a trip to the western end of the upper lake, but it should not deter them. We can all tell tales which make Great Lakes boating sound like we’re passing by Cape Horn. Stories sometimes grow in the telling, and people’s imagination run away with them — and so the legends of the big lake grow, deservedly or not. Most certainly, boaters today have technology, maps and support the likes of which were not available even a few years ago.
In fact, Lake Superior today is a reasonable and fun place for a summer boat trip. Thousands do it. Superior, obviously, must be treated with the same respect and understanding as the rest of the Great Lakes. You can be assured that any well-found and well-operated cruising boat can safely make the passage between Sault St. Marie (The Soo) and Superior-Duluth.
The most direct route from the Soo to the 2026 Rendezvous is along Lake Superior’s south shore. For most members, the passage can be made in about a week. However, we urge you to take your time to enjoy the many wonderful sights and harbors along the way. You can spend weeks – if not months – in just the beautiful Apostle Islands, and not get bored.
Another option is to follow along the lake’s rugged Canadian east and north shore to the Rendezvous. That alternative demands more time to reach your destination of Barkers Island. So, we strongly recommend you visit this truly spectacular and wild sector of the Lake during your return trip from the Rendezvous. It’s also when the weather is often warmer and more settled.
Regardless, it’s prudent to carefully plan out your route, whichever way you choose. Lake Superior is the largest lake in the world, and the distances between marinas with fuel, supplies, and services are often greater than on the lower lakes.
The GLCC’s cruising guides are an invaluable resource when planning your trip. We strongly recommend you first read the S-00 South Shore and S-0.5 North and East Shore Overview reports to familiarize yourself with what the lake has to offer before you begin to examine individual Harbor Reports.
If you’re planning to attend the Rendezvous by car or RV, as many members do, please note the committee is working to secure nearby hotel space. There are several hotels close to the marina, and the Barkers Island Inn is next to the docks. There is also RV/trailer parking with power available on the marina’s premises. A large boat ramp is available at Barkers Island for those members who bring their trailered boats overland to the Rendezvous.
The twin ports of Duluth-Superior promise to be a fun and rewarding setting for the 2026 Rendezvous. The area is a bustling tourism and recreation destination. It’s one of the busiest commercial seaports in the nation, partly because it’s the western end of the St. Lawrence Seaway. There will be plenty for you to do and see. The event committee is arraigning an extensive program that will give you a fine sample of what the Twin Ports have to offer.
You won’t want to miss the 2026 Rendezvous, especially if you’re working toward getting the Club’s prestigious Admiral Bayfield Award for cruising all the Great Lakes. Besides, there are so many benefits of visiting Lake Superior’s vast wilderness, outstanding scenery, secluded anchorages, beautiful bays, deep fjords, and pleasant towns. There is nothing like it in the world. It is always an adventure.
You may wish to linger at Duluth-Superior for a few days. Exploring the various sectors of Lake Superior has proven so enticing that some past Rendezvous attendees have chosen to leave their boats on the upper lake for another season or two. You may wish to do the same.
Please mark on your calendar July 10-14 for the 2026 Rendezvous. We hope to see you there.