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Established Camping

Channel Marker Campsite On Grand Island

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Channel Marker Campsite on Grand Island is located near Munising in the Hiawatha National Forest. The terrain consists of forested areas and shoreline along Lake Superior. Campers can explore nearby attractions such as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Munising Falls, with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 75°F in summer.

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Location

Channel Marker Campsite On Grand Island is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

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.

Address

400 E. Munising Ave
Munising, MI 49862

Coordinates

46.4538556 N
86.6793389 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Pets
  • Fires

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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2019

Great site facilities and location!

The channel marker campsite is the perfect distance (about a half mile on a well maintained flat trail) from the ferry dock and could be accessed by water too! There is a primitive toilet at the site along with a bear pole and storage locker, and a campfire ring with grill top. The site is private yet still close to the trail with an adjacent trail down to the beach, both areas include beaches. 

The site requires that all tents are placed within 15 feet of a sign which only grants space for 1 tent easily. We also were able to fit one hammock within these guidelines.

There is provided firewood at most all the other campsites we walked by, but no wood was provided to this site.

Also note the bugs (mosquitoes and flies) are horrendous! Even with strong deet spray. Good idea to invest in the bug net gear the ferry service recommends!

SiteChannel Marker
Month of VisitJuly
  • Overview of how we chose to utilize the site. As you can see there is also a private bear pole and storage container.
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  • View of the campsite from the main trail (campsite is to the right), turn left and there is a short trail down to the water where there is a small beach and benches. Great place to enjoy a meal!
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  • Review photo of Channel Marker Campsite On Grand Island by Christina M., July 23, 2019
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2017

MOSQUITOES!!!

Grand Island Channel Marker Campsite is a ferry ride or paddle away from Munising, Mi. A small touristy town with several interesting tour options for the island and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

The campsite is off the beaten trail literally, this is at a definite high traffic area for the island as the ferry dock is nearby. There is about a 15 foot walk in to the site from the trail which gives you a little seclusion. The day we were there a marathon was going on, bikers and foot traffic was also passing by. Large enough area for a few tents , pit toilets and MOSQUITOES!!! They were horrible! We applied copious amounts of deet bug spray but these little buggers did not care. Swarms followed us and when they dispersed....well when there were less then 20 trying to suck you dry , the horse flies would start their attack flight patterns.

I would suggest planning your adventure for a time of year when cold keeps the bug population down. Otherwise it was an excellent time between the beaches ( COLD water) and the town ( good food, try the pasties ) plus several other options nearby for hiking, biking and sea kayaking ( I brought my kayak but was advised that there is a difference in types and apparel ) First trip to Lake Superior has left me wanting more!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Channel Marker Campsite On Grand Island by Shelly S., July 28, 2017
  • The only ferry boats I've ever taken were in Kentucky and a bit slow. This was pretty cool.
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  • Review photo of Channel Marker Campsite On Grand Island by Shelly S., July 28, 2017
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Great kayak-in camping complete with beaches and bear pole

I love sites that you need to kayak or canoe to get to and this is one of those sites. This island has massive (for the midwest) cliffs cut by the water and pit toilets! There are several campsites on the island. This one is very near a dock with ferry service and info center. Overall it is secluded once you reach it but I was hoping for more. You always know there is a big dock with ferry service close by. You will need a water filter or steripen at this site. Bug spray and bear spray is a must. There are black bears on the island though we were fortunate and didn't see any. Maybe because they are not that common or maybe because we keep everything smellable, including cook clothes, in odor-proof bags. There are campfire rings for cooking and there was a nice breeze coming off the lake the entire time we were there. That helped keep down the bugs but we wore our light long sleeve at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Grand Island located in Michigan?

Grand Island is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, just north of the town of Munising. The island sits in Lake Superior and is accessible via ferry service from Munising. The area is known for its stunning cliffs carved by water and its proximity to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts visiting Michigan's UP region.

What camping facilities are available on Grand Island?

The Channel Marker Campsite on Grand Island offers primitive camping facilities including a campfire ring with grill top, a bear pole for food storage, and a secure storage locker. The site also features primitive toilets. Located about a half mile from the ferry dock on a well-maintained flat trail, the campsite is accessible by foot or water (kayak/canoe). The site provides a secluded experience while still being relatively close to the information center and ferry service. Other campsites are available throughout the island with varying levels of amenities and accessibility.

Is there a map of Grand Island camping areas?

Grand Island has multiple camping areas with designated campsites spread across the island. Maps are available at the information center located near the ferry dock, which is about a half mile from the Channel Marker Campsite. The island features well-maintained trails connecting various campsites and points of interest. For the most up-to-date maps and site information, check with park staff at the information center when arriving on the island or contact the managing agency before your trip.