Wisconsin · Camping

Channel Marker Campsite

from $10
fee
Friday before Memorial Day
season
May–Sep
best months
  • At 610 ft
  • Hiawatha National Forest

Grand Island is a Congressionally designated National Recreation Area with fascinating history, beautiful overlooks, pristine sandy beaches, dense hardwood forest, serene inland lakes, and miles of hiking and biking trails. This is a unique destination to spend a day or more biking, hiking, exploring, or just hanging out and recharging. Visitors get to the island by passenger ferry from Munising or private watercraft. The dock at Williams Landing can be used for loading and unloading, but boats may not be left there. Jet skis/motorboats are prohibited from landing on shore. Murray Bay, Trout Bay and North Light Beach have sand beaches with little to no obstructions where a kayak or paddle boat can land. Most locations on the northwest and northeast sides are sheer cliffs. There are 21 designated campsites, including 2 group sites. Reservations are required Memorial Day through Columbus Day, except for Cobble Cove, Flat Rock, and Muskrat Point, which are first-come/first-served. All reservations must be made through Recreation.gov and can be made up to, and including, the day of arrival. Campsites provide picnic tables, campfire rings, benches and bear poles or lockers. Drinking water is available at Williams Landing, Juniper Flats, Farrell Cottage and Murray Bay. If traveling elsewhere on the island, bring water with you or filter/boil/treat surface water.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Channel Marker Campsite

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      26° / 13°

      20 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 12°

      16 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 20°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      46° / 29°

      11 wet

    5. May

      59° / 39°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 48°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 55°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 55°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 49°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 39°

      17 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 29°

      18 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 19°

      19 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Munsing Lakeshore, MI, 3 mi away at 612 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.