A long-vacant hospitality property in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is undergoing redevelopment after being acquired in 2022, with plans to reopen as a mixed-use outdoor lodging destination combining traditional camping, glamping, and a partially restored hotel.
The site, located at 6596 W. U.S. Highway 2, includes a 33,000-square-foot building constructed in 1972 that previously operated as a Ramada Inn with restaurants and a swimming pool, alongside a KOA campground.
Following its time as a hotel, the property was repurposed as the Bayside Wilderness Inn and Campground, and later partially converted into tribal medical offices with a deli operating on-site. The building has remained vacant since 2010.
New owner Jill Hoffmann, an environmental consultant based in Indianapolis, purchased the property and adjoining campground in 2022. According to Hoffmann, the redevelopment process required approximately a year to address zoning and related issues. The project has since moved forward in phases, beginning with the campground.
“We have then condensed some of the sites into larger sites so that we can accommodate picnic tables, fire rings, and a parking spot at each one,” Hoffmann said, describing the redesign of the original 40 campsites, which were configured for smaller-scale tent camping common in earlier decades.
The updated campground now includes 22 RV sites with hookups, five tent sites, and five glamping domes currently nearing completion. The campsites opened to guests in 2025. A new bathhouse was also constructed in 2024, featuring ADA-accessible amenities.
In parallel with infrastructure upgrades, Hoffmann acquired an additional 20-acre parcel adjacent to the property, which has been developed into a network of walking trails. The design incorporates multiple terrain types, including wetlands and sand dunes, while maintaining minimal disruption to the surrounding habitat.
“I wanted to be able to see all the different features, because there’s a lot of really beautiful wetlands on the front side of the property, but then it goes back to sand dunes,” Hoffmann said.
Future plans for the site include construction of an outdoor pavilion expected to be completed in summer 2026, which may host events such as live music, art shows, and community activities.
Partnerships with local businesses are also in development, including a food truck operator scheduled to be on-site several days per week and a potential collaboration with a regional rental company to provide snowmobiles and off-road vehicles to guests.
Redevelopment of the hotel building remains one of the more complex components of the project. In April 2026, Schoolcraft County approved a Brownfield plan for the property, enabling access to tax incentives to support remediation and reconstruction efforts.
Portions of the existing structure are expected to be demolished due to deterioration, while other sections may be preserved and repurposed, according to DailyPress.
“A good part of the building will have to come down just because of the condition, but part of it will be saved,” Hoffmann said.
Hoffmann’s vision for the property emphasizes nature-based experiences accessible to both travelers and local residents. “To be real close to the city and still have a place to do nature-based camping is, I think, unusual,” she said.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the project illustrates several industry-relevant trends, including adaptive reuse of legacy lodging assets, phased redevelopment strategies to generate early revenue, and diversification of accommodations through the integration of RV sites, tent camping, and glamping units.
The inclusion of public-facing amenities and partnerships with local vendors also reflects a growing emphasis on community engagement and ancillary revenue streams.