The Bay de Noc-Grand Island Trail is a 40-mile point-to-point National Recreation Trail across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, running from Rapid River north to Highway M-94 near Munising. It follows an ancient Chippewa portage route between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior through northern hardwoods, aspen, and mixed pine forest. Very few hikers come here compared to nearby Pictured Rocks, so backpackers who want a quiet wilderness trip without crowds get exactly that. The terrain is gently rolling glacial country with sandy footing, occasional stream crossings, and extended views across the Whitefish River Valley. The trail is multi-use, shared with mountain bikers and equestrians, though encounters are rare.
No permits are required. Camping is free at the three designated assembly areas (south, middle, and north trailheads), which have 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 keep dogs leashed. There are no group size limits for general use.
Late August through early October is the best window. May through July brings pleasant temperatures but severe black fly and mosquito populations that can make the trip miserable; many trip reports say to avoid June entirely. Black flies peak from mid-May to mid-July, and mosquitoes linger into August. Bug pressure drops off sharply after mid-August. September has the ideal conditions: minimal insects, comfortable temperatures (highs in the 60s-70s), and fall colors as the aspen and hardwoods turn. The northern hardwood forests (maple, birch, beech) peak late September to early October. Snow typically arrives by November and does not fully clear until late April or May. Spring brings peak water flow in the creeks, but also mud and biting insects.
Water wells are available at all three trailhead assembly areas, though the Forest Service recommends treating or filtering all water. Natural sources exist throughout the trail; expect tannin-tinted (brown) water from streams that flow 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 the smaller streams may dry up.
Resupply options are limited. Rapid River, near the 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 has 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 serve this trail.
Black bears are common throughout Hiawatha National Forest; nearby Grand Island hosts a particularly dense population (20 bears on an 8-mile island). Practice proper food storage; bear canisters or hanging bags are recommended. Black flies and mosquitoes from May-July can be relentless, so bring head nets and permethrin-treated clothing if hiking during this period.
Deep sand and steep glacial hills are the main physical challenges. Expect slow, energy-sapping miles through the sandy stretches. Ticks are present; long pants and tick checks are essential. Creek crossings are generally easy but can swell during spring snowmelt. Navigation is straightforward on the main trail, which is marked 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 and most spacious camping area. North Trailhead (Access C): From the 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 a 1 hour drive via US-41 and M-28. Delta County Airport (ESC) in Escanaba is closer at 17 miles but has more limited service. Rental cars are 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. Paddling Michigan (paddlingmichigan.com) runs shuttles focused on Pictured Rocks but may accommodate this trail. No dedicated shuttle covers the 40-mile Rapid River-to-M-94 route, so plan on arranging private transport or setting up a car shuttle.
Camp at the middle assembly area (Access B) for the best primitive camping: large flat areas, a quiet location off the main road, and good water access. Bring a hammock if you can, since flat tent sites can be limited in the forested sections. Filter or treat all water, including from the wells; the tannin color comes from natural organic matter, but the water still needs to be purified.
Time your hike for the last week of September or the first week of October, when the hardwoods turn orange and gold. If you must hike during bug season (not recommended), bring a head net, permethrin-treated clothing, and high-DEET repellent. Some hikers report the bugs here as the worst they have experienced anywhere.
The trail is remote enough that you may not see another hiker for days. Bring a GPS device or downloaded maps; the trail is generally well marked, but you will want backup navigation for 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, which follows the traditional direction of the old portage route.
Pick your trailheads, choose campsites, and build a day-by-day itinerary. Hikeset tracks your gear, meals, and group so nothing gets left behind.
Start PlanningFree account. No credit card needed.
Hikeset Beta