Murray Bay Group Campsite on Grand Island
Murray Bay Group Campground is located on the southern shores of Grand Island, at the southeastern tip of Lake Superior. The island's scenic natural beauty and interesting history make it an attractive place for camping and other outdoor activities.
The Grand Island National Recreation Area 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 2000 B.C.
The campground offers a single group campsite that can accommodate up to 25 guests, as well as a day-use picnic area. Both are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills.
Vault toilets and drinking water are also provided. Camping is not allowed at the day-use site. A bear pole and box for food storage are provided at each site.
Notifications and Alerts
Attention: The Hiawatha National Forest is pleased to announce Murray Bay Group Campsite reserved on this webpage will soon become part of the Recreation.gov “Grand Island National Recreation Area” campground webpage. By consolidating all Grand Island campsites onto one facility page on Recreation.gov, visitors will no longer pay multiple reservations fees for a consecutive night stay to the campsites on Grand Island, but instead will pay one reservation fee for a consecutive night stay at multiple campsites.
To reserve Murray Bay Group Campsite, please continue to visit this page for the 2023 camping season through October 9, 2023 (if you already have a reservation for 2024, it will be honored). Reservations for the 2024 season are not quite available but will be announced soon. The forest will announce the on-sale date for the 2024 camping season on this page and direct you to the new Grand Island National Recreation Area camping page once it is available on Recreation.gov.
Visit the Hiawatha National Forest - Home (usda.gov) for more information.
Need to Know
- Bears frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food
- A minimum of seven and maximum of 25 campers is required for reservation of the campground
- $5 fee charged for each visitor to Grand Island
- Rock climbing, rappelling and portable generators are not permitted
- Firewood is provided
- Personal watercraft, such as jet skis, are not allowed at Murray Bay
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Natural Features
Grand Island and the Murray Bay Group Campground are part of the Hiawatha National Forest, near Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Calm waters and white-sand beaches beckon boaters and swimmers to the area.
Recreation
The sandy lake is a popular swimming destination. Boating is also available, however, there is no boat ramp or dock facility at the campground.
Anglers and hunters frequent the area for its wide variety of fish and game. Licenses are required to participate in either activity.
Visitors also enjoy over 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails on the island. A bus tour is also available for those who would like to learn more about the island's natural and cultural history.
Contact Information
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400 E Munising Ave Munising MI 49862
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 906-387-2512
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Visitors can get to the island via passenger ferry or private watercraft. The ferry departs from Grand Island Landing on the mainland, located on State Route 28. Look for the Grand Island National Recreation Area signs. Prices and schedules vary from season to season. For information or reservations, call 906-387-3503 or click here.
Murray Bay is located approximately 2 miles from where the ferry boat docks at Williams Landing. VIsitors must hike or bike from the landing to Murray Bay. Boats must anchor off-shore.
