Kona Hills Campground officially opened its gates with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, launching a soft opening ahead of full public reservations beginning May 30.
The 80-acre rustic campground, perched 200 feet above Lake Superior, is the newest outdoor destination in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Located just outside Marquette, the 40-site campground offers walk-in and drive-in camping with panoramic views of the Huron Mountains and Lake Superior.
The project is designed to provide additional short-term accommodation options in an area where lodging shortages have driven up costs for travelers.
“As someone who grew up in Marquette, I’ve always looked at this location with a mix of intrigue and reverence for its beauty and spectacular landscape,” Jeremy Johnson, cofounder and co-owner of Kona Hills Campground, said in a press release.
“Developing Kona Hills Campground with conservation and preservation in mind, and now sharing it with the world, is a dream come true,” Johnson added.
The campground is co-owned by Johnson, Devin Mahoney and Tim Piirala, all Marquette natives. Their efforts were supported by Director of Operations and Marketing Sara Johnson and a network of local businesses and contractors who helped bring the campground to life.
Planning and construction involved several Upper Peninsula firms, including Shubbe Consulting, Rock Solid Trail Contracting, Smith Construction, Lakanen Excavation, Treado Engineering and Geometric Services.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also awarded a $100,000 grant to the project.
The office of State Senator Ed McBroom played a key role in navigating the regulatory process. “Kona Hills Campground is a perfect example of innovation, conservation and providing a resource that addresses an unmet need in the Marquette area,” said McBroom.
Initial investment in the project totals $1.5 million, funded by the owners and Peoples State Bank of Munising. “We are honored and proud to be a partner of Kona Hills Campground, and wish them nothing but success,” said Rick Nebel, CEO of Peoples State Bank of Munising.
Kona Hills Campground currently offers 32 walk-in sites and eight drive-in locations suitable for RVs up to 24 feet, though the sites do not include electric or water hookups. Campsites cost $30 per night and include fire rings and picnic tables, with potable water and portable toilets on site.
The campground will remain open through October and plans future expansions including bathhouses, a gravel road loop, and glamping options. It also aims to offer recreation activities such as rock climbing, ice climbing, and access to regional trail networks.
For more information about Kona Hills Campground, visit their website here.
Featured image by Kona Hills Campground