Grand Island National Recreation Area
Grand Island is located in Lake Superior, about one-half mile from the mainland community of Munising, Michigan. Munising is about 43 miles from Marquette and 55 miles from Manistique. Grand Island is the perfect place to spend a day or even just a few hours biking and exploring. The island's breathtaking overlooks, pristine sandy beaches, fascinating cultural sites, deep hard woods, and inland lakes make it an exciting and secluded destination.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · tent only in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Hike-in | 16 |
| group hike to | 2 |
Site guide
18 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | Hike-in | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Standard | |
| Hemlock | Hike-in | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Hardwood | Hike-in | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Driftwood | Hike-in | Partial | Lakefront | 4 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Duck Lake | Hike-in | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Gamefence | Hike-in | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | Yes | Preferred |
| Loon Call | Hike-in | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Gull Point | Hike-in | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Road's End | Hike-in | Partial | Island, | 6 / – | Yes | Standard |
| Little Duck | Hike-in | Partial | 4 / – | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The $5.00 Day Use Fee is included If you take the Grand Island Ferry Service If you paddle or use your own boat to a day use area you can pay at the self service station. |
Campsites equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault or wilderness toilets, bear lockers and/or poles.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Visitors can get to the island via passenger ferry (Grand Island Ferry Service) or private watercraft. The ferry departs from Grand Island Landing on the mainland, located on M-28, about 3 to 4 miles west of the Munising's blinking light. Look for the Grand Island NRA signs. Prices and schedules vary from season to season.
| Coordinates | 46.4449° N, 86.6646° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Some sites have drinking water provided Camping is not allowed at the day-use sites.
Fire nearby
- WildfireRidge
47 mi from the campground · 466 acres · 30% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 49.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
This Place is Stunning! Island BikePacking
Worth a stop
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Hiawatha National Forest, and the City of Munising. The Munising Area provides a variety of restaurants, hotels, camping opportunities and outfitters. Local outfitters provide guided and self-guided kayak, canoe, pontoon and mountain bike rentals.
- 2.4 miMunising Falls Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 6.4 miMiners Castle Visitor Contact Station ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miGrand Island Bike ↗20.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miGrand Island Thumb Hiking Trl2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.4 miMurray Bay - Trout Bay Portage0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miTrout Bay Road Hike/Bike1.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 3.3 miThunder Cove Grand Island0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.3 miNorth Country NTL Scenic -West ↗23.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Hiawatha National Forest.
- inHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
- 12.9 miRock River Canyon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,724 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Grand Island Harbor Rear Range LightStructure · Christmas · 1.4 mi
- Bay FurnaceStructure · Christmas · 2 mi
- Lobb HouseBuilding · Munising · 2.4 mi
Natural features
Grand Island National Recreation Area Campground part of the Hiawatha National Forest, near Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Calm waters, 300 foot sandstone cliffs, and white-sand beaches beckon boaters and swimmers to the area.
Recreation
Group and indvidiual camping, biking, hiking, ice climbing, swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, and site seeing can all be enjoyed on Grand Island
Guidebooks for Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Field Guide Hiawatha National Forest Ecological Classification SystemGreg Kudray, 2019Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Grand Island National Recreation Area?
Sites at Grand Island National Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Grand Island National Recreation Area?
The $5.00 Day Use Fee is included If you take the Grand Island Ferry Service If you paddle or use your own boat to a day use area you can pay at the self service station.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Grand Island National Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Grand Island National Recreation Area have?
18 sites, including 16 hike-in sites and 2 group hike to.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Grand Island National Recreation Area?
Grand Island National Recreation Area is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Grand Island National Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Grand Island National Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Grand Island National Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Grand Island National Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What if Grand Island National Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bay Furnace Campground (2.1 mi, partly first-come), Au Train Lake Campground (9 mi, partly first-come), and Hovey Lake Campsites (10.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby