Driftwood Campsite on Grand Island
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.
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.
Driftwood: This campsite is located approximately 50 yards from Lake Superior and Trout Bay Beach. The site is approximately 2.5 miles from William's Landing (ferry service arrival point, and visitor information center). The nearest potable water is approximately 1 mile south of this campsite at Murray Bay Day Use Area. Plan ahead, and bring drinking water when staying at this site or plan to filter water from Lake Superior. This site can accommodate up to 4 people in two tents. A latrine, food storage pole and locker, fire ring, benches and firewood are provided in/near the campsite. Driftwood can be accessed via the island's trail system and is accessible to kayakers via Trout Bay Beach.
Notifications and Alerts
We are sorry for the inconvenience, but this site is in an area close to a prescribed burn. Prescribed burns are the controlled application of fire by a team of fire experts to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire. They are done under specific weather conditions and involve careful research, planning, and consultation, so we do not have a date for the burn yet, but when it happens the campsite will return to reservation only. Right now they are First Come First Serve where you pay at the campsite with cash or check. Thank you for your understanding!
A bear or multiple bears have been spotted in the area. Please be aware at all times, and visit our agency website for bear safety tips and more information.
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
- Customers must print out reservation permits and bring the permit with them when they are camping on the island.
This campsite can be reserved for up to 4 consecutive days. Reservations are required and can be made up to and including the day of arrival.
- 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 site made available.
- 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.
- Also, keep in mind that domestic animals must be kept on a leash, except while being used for hunting.
- Through the Recreation Enhancement Act, a fee of $5.00/per person per trip is charged, and is included in the passenger ferry fee; season, family and boat entrance passes are also available.
There are 19 individual (4-6 people and 2 tents per site) and two group sites (1-25 people, 2 tents per site pad) on Grand Island. Reservations are required for camping on Grand Island between Memorial Day through Columbus Day with the exception of Cobble Cove, Flat Rock, and Muskrat Point campsites which will remain first-come, first-served.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Recreation
Swimming - The lake bottom is sandy, 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 and 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 right 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.
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 (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/.
