Hemlock Campsite On Grand Island, Munising, MI

Hemlock Campsite On Grand Island is located in the Munising Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (about 130 miles from Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 645 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. There is a fee of $8.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (17)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		59%
4 star		24%
3 star		12%
2 star		0%
1 star		6%

@SummerOFFD9286 · Camped on Sep 21, 2023 at Campsite #1

Hemlock is a beautiful site! Its large and sits among towering mature hemlocks. We could easily hang 3 hammocks. We enjoyed having a picnic table, firewood, a pit toilet and benches. The beach access on this side of the island could use some work. The stairs were out of order as were the ones down by Mather beach. We ended up having to slide and climb the small dune to get water. The beach here is amazing. Great rock hounding and an absolutely gorgeous place to swim and watch the sunset!

@LauraA6708484 · Camped on Aug 2, 2023 at Campsite #1

While this is a nice, spacious campsite - my friend and I had to set up camp in a hurry bcz it was thundering and we were worried about rain. Once camp was set up, I noticed a black flash on my right side of a bear running up the side of camp to behind the campsite. Made a big ruckus, yelling and throwing rocks, bear was NOT phased or scared and sauntered off over the little hill behind camp, coming back a few times before it finally seemed like it was gone. We put all food & toiletries in the bear box because the bear had been 10ft from bear pole. We went to get water and came back ~45 min later and my backpack had been stolen by the bear. We were hammock camping and he ripped through my bug net, hammock, and camping pad to grab my pack underneath. You can see the claw marks on either side and see where his canine teeth punctured my hammock and pad. I had my food in stuff sacks in my pack for the 3 days that we were there, so maybe my pack smelled slightly like food but there was nothing in it. I am very grateful that my friend and I are ok, but I feel like they should shut this campsite down! Camp anywhere else if you can, this bear has learned that people = food. Also, when we got there, there was also a portable grate for the fire someone had left that was covered in grease, so I wonder if someone had been feeding him prior to us being there? I still haven't been contacted by a ranger or anyone to talk to them about the situation either, I just filled out a piece of paper at the ferry service. It feels irresponsible and dangerous to let people keep camping at this campsite!!!

@ChuckM7771115 · Camped on Sep 19, 2022 at Campsite #1

Hemlock is a beautiful large campsite. I have camped there previously by kayak and rated it highly. I was looking forward to camping there again but was unable because the stairs leading up from the beach to the campground were unsafe and blocked off with orange snow fence. It seems the ranger station was unaware of this.

@DaleF8147083 · Camped on Sep 15, 2022 at Campsite #1

Nice Campsite with lots of room. Right across from the beach. Other campsites on the Island had picnic tables. This site needs one too.

@SarahF7286422 · Camped on Aug 6, 2022 at Campsite #1

Super nice site tucked back in the woods a little bit. Has a campfire ring and two benches as well as a bear pole and container. The beach access located right across from the site was closed but there are other non marked ways to get down. Firewood is provided. We got our water from the spout at juniper flats and it was good no metallic taste.

@anneb994 · Camped on Oct 8, 2021 at Campsite #1

Big hemlock grove feels open with lots of room. Stairs to beach here and at Gamefence are damaged and closed off, but you can still scramble to the beach if you want to. Has bear locker and a bear pole. Locker was more than large enough for onewhole backpack and also unpacked things like stoves and a trash bag to its side. Neighbors at Gamefence and/or Hardwood will be heard, if not seen. Lots of room here for tents and hammocks and bikes. Potable water is about 1/2 mile away on the trail at Juniper Flats. Or you can scramble down to the lake if you have a filter or other treatment.

@AnneB1726325 · Camped on Oct 8, 2021 at Campsite #1

@TomK508 · Camped on Oct 4, 2021 at Campsite #1

very good site...highly recommended

@TomK1282453 · Camped on Oct 4, 2021 at Campsite #1

very good site...highly recommended

@CherylR597 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great site about 3.8 mile hike in from the ferry. Site is HUGE, and private. Fire ring, two benches, pole to hang one pack, bear pole & box, and a pit toilet. The supplied firewood is available right there, and staircase to the beach just "across the street". Although it is closed "for our safety" we still used it. It's about a 17 minute walk down to the water supply, or you can filter from the lake. The beach there is a rock hunters paradise! We could hear the waves crashing on Lake Superior on the windy night and it made falling asleep easy. There had been a small wildfire at Hemlock in July, so part of it was dug up, but there is PLENTY of room to set up. Neighboring sites are not within view, but unfortunately we had someone "disperse camp" next to out site. Signs say to stay 100' away from any other campsite - not sure where to boundaries are, but they could have picked something a little further away if you ask me.

@CherylR2562869 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #1

@ErikaF9257374 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #1

The two beach accesses (stairs) near the campsite were out, so a short walk to the only set of stairs left is necessary for water. The site was clean, had a bear box and pole, and a nice fire pit. It’s also nice and private and off the tail a bit. Very nice place overall.

@ErikaF512 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #1

@ZachW252 · Camped on Aug 14, 2019 at Campsite #1

We really enjoyed our time on the island! It was quiet, serene and there was still plenty to do in late August. I recommend going during the week if you can, you'll bypass a lot of the tourism and scout groups that come to the island. Apparently we just missed black fly season, but we were just in time for daddy long-leg season as they would come out in swarms every night (best not to worry about bugs while camping though). There was a lot of washouts due to the sandstone the island is comprised of, meaning we had to find an alternate way down to the water as the stairs by our access point (and many others around the island) were out of commission. We stayed out there 3 nights and still only had time to cover the northern part of the island (with bikes) We'll definitely be back to explore the rest of it!

@ZachW1953017 · Camped on Aug 14, 2019 at Campsite #1

@MatthewB318226 · Camped on Jul 4, 2019 at Campsite #1

Campsite was a hike to get to but totally worth it. The site was beautiful and deep back from the main trail. As an isolated site it felt like we were pretty much alone. The water station was about a half mile walk, but flat. Just make sure you have a big enough container so you only have to do a trip a day or so. The wood they provided was an excellent amenity too! Bugs can be bad, but if you have a few repellent options you should be fine. Loose, long clothing helps a lot. Highly recommend.

@MatthewB377 · Camped on Jul 4, 2019 at Campsite #1

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