Grand Island Thumb Area Facilities

Closed — Currently closed for the off-season. Ferry service operates Friday before Memorial Day through mid-October. Reservations required via Recreation.gov during peak season. Winter access is only by private watercraft or across ice, though ice travel is not recommended by the Forest Service.

About

Located in the Thumb area of Grand Island National Recreation Area within Hiawatha National Forest, these facilities offer a truly remote wilderness camping experience on a forested island surrounded by Lake Superior. Grand Island sits half a mile offshore from Munising, Michigan, and encompasses 13,500 acres of diverse terrain including massive 300-foot wave-cut sandstone cliffs, white sand beaches, inland lakes, and dense hardwood forests. The Thumb Area is on the northeastern section of the island where dramatic cliffs meet Lake Superior waters. Access to Grand Island requires either the passenger ferry service from the mainland, private watercraft, or hiking/biking once on the island, as no public vehicles are permitted. Campsites throughout the island feature primitive facilities including vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and bear lockers or poles for food storage, as black bears inhabit the island. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, swimming, and exploring historic sites. The island's remote location and pack-in/pack-out policy ensure a pristine backcountry experience. Be prepared for self-sufficiency as no supplies, services, or trash collection are available on the island.

Directions

Grand Island is located in Lake Superior, approximately 0.5 miles from Munising, Michigan. Access via passenger ferry from Grand Island Landing on M-28 (3-4 miles west of Munising's blinking light) or private watercraft. No public vehicles allowed on island. Contact Grand Island Ferry Service at (906) 387-2600 for ferry schedules and rates.

Nearby Campgrounds