Hemlock Campsite on Grand Island

Area Status: Closed

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.

This site is hike in, bike in or boat in only. Public vehicles are not allowed on the Island.

This campsite is located on the western side of Grand Island near Waterfall Beach. The site is approximately 3.5 miles from William's Landing (ferry service arrival point, and visitor information center). The nearest potable water is approximately 0.5 mile south of this campsite at Juniper Flats Group Campsite. This site can accommodate up to 6 people in two tents. A primitive latrine, food storage pole, fire ring, benches, and firewood are provided in/near the campsite. Hemlock can be accessed either by the island's trail system or by water. Kayakers can access this site via Waterfall Beach. Leave your kayak on the beach, climb the stairs from the beach to the trail, and hike approximately 100 yards north to the campsite.

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.

There are no supplies available on the Island. There are also no trash cans on the Island. Be prepared to pack in and pack out everything you need.

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.

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.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Reservations required.
Operational Hours:	Beginning May, 2022 Check-in Time: 2 pm Check-out Time: 11 am
Reservations:	Reservations for Hemlock Campsite and an interactive map can be accessed at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251974
Fees:	Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Permit Info:	Camping at Hemlock is by reservation only. Walk ins are not allowed during peak season. 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. Reservations are made on our National Recreation Reservation System. To check availability of the campsites or to make a reservation, call 877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov. Reservations are not required for off season use (Oct 12-May 25th). However, transportation to the Island is not available during the off season. Travel to and from the Island over the ice is not recommended. For more information about winter access to Grand Island, contact the Munising Ranger District at 906-387-2512.
Open Season:	Friday before Memorial Day - Columbus Day

General Information

Directions:

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. 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

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Hemlock is one of 17 campsites on Grand Island.

Boating - Motorized

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.

Swimming

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.