The Bay de Noc-Grand Island Trail is a 40-mile point-to-point National Recreation Trail traversing Michigan's Upper Peninsula from Rapid River north to Highway M-94 near Munising. Following an ancient Chippewa portage route between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, this trail offers solitude-seeking backpackers a quiet corridor through northern hardwoods, aspen, and mixed pine forests. The trail sees very few hikers compared to the nearby Pictured Rocks, making it ideal for those wanting a true wilderness experience without crowds. Expect gently rolling glacial terrain with sandy footing, occasional stream crossings, and extended views across the Whitefish River Valley. This is a multi-use trail shared with mountain bikers and equestrians, though encounters are rare.
No permits required. Camping is free at the three designated assembly areas (south, middle, and north trailheads) which feature vault toilets, horse tethering areas, and water wells. Primitive dispersed camping is allowed along the trail. Standard Hiawatha National Forest regulations apply: hang food or use bear-resistant storage, pack out all trash, no campfires during restricted periods, and dogs must be leashed. No group size limits for general use.
Late August through early October offers the optimal window. May through July brings pleasant temperatures but severe black fly and mosquito populations that can make the experience miserable—many trip reports emphasize avoiding June entirely. Black flies peak from mid-May to mid-July, with mosquitoes lingering into August. Bug pressure drops significantly after mid-August. September offers ideal conditions: minimal insects, comfortable temperatures (highs in the 60s-70s), and spectacular fall colors as aspen and hardwoods turn. The northern hardwood forests (maple, birch, beech) peak late September to early October. Snow typically arrives by November and doesn't fully clear until late April or May. Spring brings peak water flow in creeks but also muddy conditions and biting insects.
Water wells are available at all three trailhead assembly areas, though the Forest Service recommends treating or filtering all water. Natural water sources exist throughout the trail—expect tannin-tinted (brown) water from streams flowing through cedar and tamarack swamps. Joe Creek is noted as a reliable crossing. Several small creek crossings occur along the route, most easily hopped or forded. Carry capacity for 2-3 liters between sources, especially in late summer when smaller streams may dry up.
Resupply options are limited. Rapid River (near south trailhead) is a small town with minimal services. Your best bet is Escanaba, 15 miles south of Rapid River, which has Meijer, Walmart, Elmer's County Market, and outdoor gear at Mr. Bike & Ski and L&M Fleet Supply. The north trailhead on M-94 is 10 miles from Munising, which offers two grocery stores, Down Wind Sports for outdoor gear and fuel canisters (South Bay Outfitters), restaurants, hotels, and a laundromat. Munising is the better resupply stop with more complete services. No mail drop facilities specifically cater to this trail.
Black bears are common throughout Hiawatha National Forest—Grand Island nearby hosts a particularly dense population (20 bears on an 8-mile island). Practice proper food storage; bear canisters or hanging bags recommended. Black flies and mosquitoes from May-July can be relentless; bring head nets and permethrin-treated clothing if hiking during this period.
Deep sand and steep glacial hills create the main physical challenges—expect slow, energy-sapping miles through sandy stretches. Ticks are present; long pants and tick checks essential. Creek crossings are generally easy but can swell during spring snowmelt. Navigation is straightforward on the main trail with pink/black ribbons and painted blazes, though some hikers report wishing for better maintenance in sections. Expect limited cell service throughout. The trail is exposed in limited areas but mostly forested, so lightning risk is moderate.
South Trailhead (Access A): From Rapid River, drive 2 miles east on US-2 to County Road 509. Turn left and drive 0.6 miles, then left again for 1 mile to the trailhead parking on the left. Middle Trailhead (Access B): Same start, but continue 14.5 miles north on CR-509 to parking on the right—this is the quietest, most spacious camping area. North Trailhead (Access C): From M-28/M-94 junction south of Munising, drive 9 miles southwest on M-94; parking is on the north side across from Ackerman Lake. All access roads are maintained gravel, passable by standard vehicles. Parking is free at all trailheads.
Airports: Sawyer International Airport (MQT) in Marquette is 48 miles from Rapid River, about 1 hour drive via US-41 and M-28. Delta County Airport (ESC) in Escanaba is closer at 17 miles but with more limited service. Rental cars essential; no public transit serves these trailheads.
Shuttle Services: ALTRAN (Alger Transit Authority, 906-387-4845) operates in Munising and may arrange custom shuttles for a fee—call ahead to arrange. Paddling Michigan (paddlingmichigan.com) offers shuttle services focused on Pictured Rocks but may accommodate this trail. No dedicated shuttle service runs the 40-mile Rapid River-to-M-94 route; plan on arranging private transport or setting up a car shuttle.
Camp at the middle assembly area (Access B) for the best primitive camping experience—large flat areas, quiet location off the main road, and good water access. Bring a hammock if possible; flat tent sites can be limited in forested sections. Filter or treat all water including from wells—the tannin color is natural from organic matter but water should still be purified.
Time your hike to catch fall colors in the last week of September or first week of October when hardwoods blaze orange and gold. If you must hike during bug season (not recommended), invest in a head net, permethrin-treated clothing, and high-DEET repellent—some hikers report the bugs as the worst they've experienced anywhere.
The trail's remoteness means you likely won't see another hiker for days. Bring a GPS device or downloaded maps; while the trail is generally well-marked, you'll want backup navigation in the event of poor visibility or unmarked sections. Share your itinerary with someone off-trail. Consider starting from the north (M-94) and hiking south to Rapid River for a gentle downhill gradient following the ancient portage route's traditional direction.
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