MER
Hiawatha National Forest › Munising Ranger District › Michigan
› Alger County
› Munising
› Grand Island Cabins
› Campsite #MER
Campsite #MER at Grand Island Cabins, MI
$120
Campsite #MER
| Walk-In | 8 people |
| 0 | good |
8/11
9/2
Campsite #MER Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Accessible, Fire ring, Picnic Table, Cabin Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (13)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 85% |
| 4 star | | 15% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@JonathonM5BE7D · Camped on Jul 7, 2025 at Campsite #MER
Cabin was excellent with an amazing location roughly 100 feet from the shore of Lake Superior. Merchant beach was picturesque. The screened-in porch of the cabin gave us a nice respite from mosquitoes. The bunkbeds were large and the cabin is very well-built with solid double-paned windows. The pilot light of the heater kept the whole cabin toasty even though we had the thermostat set to the off position. Bring enough light sources for your level of activity - we had lots of lanterns. There were 5 chairs on the porch during our stay, something we were concerned about (we brought our own, but certainly didnt need to). We carried our gear the 1 mile down the trail with the assistance of a wagon (you can rent from the ferry company). The park ranger came by one day of our trip and dropped off fresh firewood and even took our garbage! The outhouse was very convenient for our group of 5 people (make sure to bring enough toilet paper). The gas grill provided was also located in the screened in porch with plenty of backup propane. My friend who lives in Colorado said this was the easiest camping experience he has ever had! Didnt see any bears, but thats okay. Overall an excellent experience.
@stephena903642 · Camped on Jul 4, 2025 at Campsite #MER
This cabin is perfect! It has everything needed and stocked with firewood and a gas grill with plenty of gas. The only things I would recommend is bring a large cast iron skillet or griddle to provide a cooking surface in the grill. Also hooks high on the walls or actual lines strung across would be very helpful for the placement of lights etc as the cabin is dark inside. Aside from that 1 mile is just the right distance from the ferry and Merchandise Beach is beautiful! The mountain biking was great and cell service was excellent! We had a lot of rain so we're able to hang out and watch movies after getting tired of euchre!
@RebekahB0B668F · Camped on Oct 6, 2024 at Campsite #MER
Less than a mile from the ferry, and part of a nice hiking loop along the shore, up to Echo lake, and back. There was a gale when we stayed so we were very grateful for the warm cabin!
@RandyH561 · Camped on Sep 14, 2021 at Campsite #MER
Awesome cabin. Greatly exceeded our expectations. Large, nice, and well kept. Very clean. Covered latrine nearby. Shore is very close and drinking water faucet is only about a mile away. Packed with amenities: screen porch, gas grill, indoor picnic table, outdoor picnic table, etc.
@RandyH9893483 · Camped on Sep 14, 2021 at Campsite #MER
Awesome cabin. Greatly exceeded our expectations. Large, nice, and well kept. Very clean. Covered latrine nearby. Shore is very close and drinking water faucet is only about a mile away. Packed with amenities: screen porch, gas grill, indoor picnic table, outdoor picnic table, etc.
@Jennifer252624 · Camped on Oct 4, 2020 at Campsite #MER
One little scratchy mouse tried to get in on night two; and forced the top bunkers to find mom on the bottom. We couldn’t (aka were scared when it didn’t turn on right away) get the heater thing figured out so we had some good nighttime snuggle fests and very brisk mornings.
@JenniferH192 · Camped on Oct 4, 2020 at Campsite #MER
One little scratchy mouse tried to get in on night two; and forced the top bunkers to find mom on the bottom. We couldn’t (aka were scared when it didn’t turn on right away) get the heater thing figured out so we had some good nighttime snuggle fests and very brisk mornings.
@ShelleyK771 · Camped on Sep 22, 2020 at Campsite #MER
We all had a wonderful time staying on the island! The ferry folks are super friendly and helpful. The cabins were super spacious and comfortable. The grill made life so much easier when rain ruined our dinner plans on the fire one night. Before we made it off the island, we were already planning for next year. The north side of the island was absolutely beautiful and we recommend making the trek up there. It was an absolutely amazing experience.
@ShelleyK272023 · Camped on Sep 22, 2020 at Campsite #MER
We all had a wonderful time staying on the island! The ferry folks are super friendly and helpful. The cabins were super spacious and comfortable. The grill made life so much easier when rain ruined our dinner plans on the fire one night. Before we made it off the island, we were already planning for next year. The north side of the island was absolutely beautiful and we recommend making the trek up there. It was an absolutely amazing experience.
@JohnL931 · Camped on Sep 2, 2020 at Campsite #MER
The cabin was clean, well maintained and peaceful. Firewood is supplied. Excellent place and island is beautiful.
@KerryS563 · Camped on Jul 9, 2020 at Campsite #MER
(Merchant) Nice cabin, albeit without electricity or water. To reach the cabin there's a decent trail, and it's less than a mile from the ferry landing. You can rent a wagon to haul your gear. Gas grill is very nice, and it's inside the screened-in porch. We enjoyed it, and it was relaxing and restful after a few days of strenuous back country canoeing in Sylvania Wilderness. The lakeshore is nice, and we went for a short swim. We might go back with some friends after the pandemic is over. There's lots of room.
Only gripe is that it's quite close to the trail, so you see and hear a few passers-by, which is related to the one other problem--which is really irritating during the pandemic--that some of them want to use the cabin's outdoor privy. It seemed to us that certain groups knew of it in advance and approached it without hesitation, as though its location had been shared beforehand... but when we informed them it was private, they were all polite and didn't complain. We finally posted our own sign on the door to ward people off. The owners haven't done that. Probably they are afraid if they do people will get mad and vandalize the place.
Only gripe is that it's quite close to the trail, so you see and hear a few passers-by, which is related to the one other problem--which is really irritating during the pandemic--that some of them want to use the cabin's outdoor privy. It seemed to us that certain groups knew of it in advance and approached it without hesitation, as though its location had been shared beforehand... but when we informed them it was private, they were all polite and didn't complain. We finally posted our own sign on the door to ward people off. The owners haven't done that. Probably they are afraid if they do people will get mad and vandalize the place.
@CecilyM719 · Camped on Sep 7, 2019 at Campsite #MER
We can’t wait to come back!
@JenniferM153 · Camped on Aug 23, 2019 at Campsite #MER
The cabin is just a mile from the ferry, and set back off the trail. It was spacious, and clean. The grill was very nice to have there in the screened in porch.
The subtraction of one star comes from:
•the pit toilet. It was way too full and in desperate need of an emptying. Several times we rode to the ferry landing to use the cleaner pits there.
•There was no wood available as advertised.
•we could have used another bench or chairs for outside.
The island was beautiful, and the cabin was a nice way for me (too old to sleep on the ground) to be able to enjoy it. There are plenty of little places to enjoy views and the water.
The subtraction of one star comes from:
•the pit toilet. It was way too full and in desperate need of an emptying. Several times we rode to the ferry landing to use the cleaner pits there.
•There was no wood available as advertised.
•we could have used another bench or chairs for outside.
The island was beautiful, and the cabin was a nice way for me (too old to sleep on the ground) to be able to enjoy it. There are plenty of little places to enjoy views and the water.
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