Grand Island National Recreation Area
| Grand Island National Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
   | |
| Location | Grand Island, Lake Superior, United States |
| Nearest city | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46°30′25″N 86°39′47″W / 46.50694°N 86.66306°W |
| Area | 13,500 acres (55 km2) |
| Established | 1990 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Website | Hiwatha National Forest - Grand Island National Recreation Area |
The Grand Island National Recreation Area is a
Lake Superior
Lake Superior dominates the Grand Island biotic environment. Even in high summer, the lake's temperature rarely rises above 48 °F (9 °C).
Geology
Grand Island's geology is an extension of the sandstone strata of the adjacent Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Island sandstone cliffs as tall as 300 feet (91 m) in height plunge down into the lake. A 23-mile (37 km) perimeter trail skirts much of the island's shoreline.
History
Tourism
Grand Island National Recreation Area is served during summer months by a tourist ferry and island tour bus. The ferry ride, which is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) long, shuttles between a dock on M-28, northwest of Munising, and Grand Island's Williams Landing. Ticket fees and an admission fee to the island are charged. During the summer months, the ferry makes several trips to the island each day.
A small portion of Grand Island, the Thumb, remained privately owned as of 2012. The Thumb contains the historic 1868 Grand Island East Channel Light or 'East Channel Light', on the eastern ship channel from Lake Superior into the port of Munising. The lighthouse remained in operation until 1913. The privately owned lighthouse can be viewed from Sand Point on the mainland, within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, or may be viewed from the water.
Recreational opportunities
The U.S. Forest Services recommends that visitors enjoy
The Grand Island Trail Marathon has been held on the island every July since 2005, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event has featured in the past a 2K race for children and a 10K race. In recent years, the event has included half marathon, marathon, and 50 km races.[1]