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| contractID |
NRSO |
| description |
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. |
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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. For information or reservations, call (906) 387-2600 or visit their website at http://www.grandislandup.com/ . |
| facilitiesDescription |
Drinking water is available at Williams Landing, Juniper Flats, Farrell Cottage, and Murray Bay Day Use Area. If traveling elsewhere on the island, bring water with you or filter/boil/treat surface water. Keep soaps and detergents out of lakes and streams. Wash dishes and clothes in a pot and dispose of the waste water in a hole at least 100 feet from the nearest water supply. Bathe in a similar manner. Little Dunes I & Little Dunes II: Located on the eastern edge of Trout Bay beach, these two sites are approximately 4 miles northeast of William’s Landing. Both sites can accommodate no more than 4 people and 2 tents. An outhouse, food storage poles and lockers, fire rings and benches are provided in/near these campsites. Both sites can be accessed via the island’s trail system or by water. Kayakers can pull their kayaks to shore and easily locate these two sites along the beach edge. Due to the potential exposure to strong north winds, it is recommended that kayaks not be left unattended near the water’s edge. |
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LITTLE DUNE II CAMPSITE ON GRAND ISLAND |
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131790 |
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http://www.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=131790&cmp=39-32--joewils |
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This campsite can be reserved for up to 4 consecutive days. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance. Walk-ins are allowed during non-peak season and when the site is not reserved. No more than 6 people and two tents are allowed on the site at one time. You may use dead and down firewood collected from the nearby woods or provided firewood for your campfire. Do not cut down live or standing trees. This site is hike in, bike in or boat in only. Public vehicles are not allowed on the Island. Your campsite must be occupied by 7:00 p.m. the day of your reservation and may not be left unattended over 24 hours thereafter. If you have not arrived by 7:00 p.m. the day of your reservation, your reservation will be canceled and the campsite will be open to walk-ins. Black bears live on this island. Information is available at the Ranger District on how to prevent and survive bear encounters. Be prepared to store your food and all consumable and scented items, including trash, on the bear pole at the site. Never leave food unattended in campsite. There are no supplies available on the Island. Pack-in/Pack-out all of your gear, unused food, trash and other supplies; there is no trash service on Grand Island. The mosquitoes and black flies can be very bad from Mid-May to mid-July. Be sure to bring plenty of insect repellant and even a head net during those months. Avoid climbing on or standing along the sandstone cliffs. The sandstone is very fragile and may not support your weight. Grand Island is closed to rock climbing, rappelling and portable generators. Domestic animals must be kept on a leash, except while being used for hunting. Through the Recreation Enhancement Act, a fee of $2.00/per person per trip is charged, and is included in the passenger ferry fee; season, family and boat entrance passes are also available. There is no fee to camp on Grand Island. There are 16 individual (4-6 people, 2 tents) and two group sites on Grand Island. Site reservations are not required, but may be made for Channel Marker, Gamefence, Shelter Ridge, Little Dunes I and Little Dunes II; this also includes group sites, Juniper Flats Group Site or Murray Bay Group site . |
| nearbyAttrctionDescription |
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Hiawatha National Forest, and the City of Munising are all in the area. Well known attractions include the Pictured Rocks Cruises, and Riptide Rides. 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. |
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| orientationDescription |
Grand Island, a Congressionally designated National Recreation Area (NRA), boasts massive 300-foot wave-cut sandstone cliffs; 13,500 acres of lush forest; beaches of fine sand; winter ice caves; and historic buildings and artifacts dating back as far as 2,000 BC, to name just a few of its highlights! The island’s scenic natural beauty and interesting history make it an attractive place for camping and other outdoor activities. |
| recreationDescription |
Swimming - The lake bottom is sandy, with small rocks, or solid rock depending on what site you choose. Lake Superior can be cold with average high temperatures reaching only the high 60s (degrees Fahrenheit). Be cautious when swimming because this area has not been checked for possible hazards. Please remember, you swim at your own risk. Hiking/biking - Over 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails provide wonderful opportunities for day-trips and give access via unsurfaced trails to some of the Island's most spectacular scenery. Fishing and Hunting - Lake Superior has Coho salmon, lake trout, perch, pike, walleye, and rock bass. Game species on the island include deer, bear, rabbit, grouse, and ducks. A Michigan fishing, hunting and/or trapping license is required. (See the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fishing Guide for license information and special regulations for Echo and Duck Lakes.) Boat Access - There are a number of sand beaches where a boat could pull up to shore. Murray Bay, Trout Bay and North Light Creek areas have the largest sand beaches with little to no rock obstructions. There are several areas around the perimeter of the island where kayakers can gain access. Be aware that there are very few locations on the northwest and northeast sides that are not cliff. There is no boat launch or public dock facility on Grand Island. Personal watercraft (SeaDoo/Jet Ski) are not allowed on the shores of Grand Island. The dock at Williams Landing can be used for loading and unloading only. Boats may not park at the dock. |