Grand Island National Recreation Area

Camping on Grand Island

Currently there are 17 designated single campsites on Grand Island. At each designated site, campers must set up their tents within 15 feet of the site marker post, or in the tent pad area. Fires are allowed only in the metal fire ring provided. Do not build fires on the beach or outside the fire rings. At this time, permits are not required for these campsites, except that the group camp sites at Murray Bay and Juniper Flats may be reserved. (Please contact us for more information or a reservation form.)

Murray Bay - Each of Murray Bay's two designated single sites can accommodate up to six people, with a maximum of 2 tents per site. The group site can accommodate between seven and 25 people. One vault toilet is provided near the Day Use Area. The Murray Bay sites can be accessed either by the island's trails system or by water. A day use picnic area is also located at Murray Bay; camping is not allowed at the day use site.

Trout Bay - On Trout Bay, four designated sites can accommodate up to four people each, with a maximum of 2 tents per site. A vault toilet is provided at each end of Trout Bay. The Trout Bay sites can be accessed either by the trail or by water. A day use area is located on the east side and the west side of Trout Bay Beach.

Juniper Flats - Juniper Flats is available for group camping only. A minimum of 7 campers are required, but occupancy should not exceed 25 people. Access to Juniper Flats is available at the beach access/overlook at Waterfall Beach, approximately 1,000 feet north of Juniper Flats. No safe access exists up/down from the cliffs at Juniper Flats site proper.

Other Camp Sites - There are 10 other designated sites located on the rim trail and the Thumb of the island. Refer to the map of Grand Island.

Random Camping - Random camping is allowed on Grand Island. Permits are not required at this time. Campfires are not allowed at random campsites, and users must focus on Leave No Trace camping techniques. Random sites may be selected by the user, within certain guidelines.

Randomly chosen sites must NOT be on the Tombolo (see map) and MUST be more than 100 feet from a) Lake Superior of its cliff edges; b) roads; c) Other campsites or recreation developments; d) Inland lakes; e) Private property; f) Named Creeks; g) The research Natural Area (RNA); h) Trails.

A maximum of 6 people and 2 tents are allowed at each random campsite. Food packs must be hung.