Hiawatha National Forest

Little Bay de Noc Recreation Area

Little Bay de Noc Recreation Area is located in Delta County, 2 miles east of Rapid River on Hwy 2 and 6 miles south on County Road 513. This campground has 36 single and 2 group sites, picnic area, swimming beach, 3 hiking trails and boat launch.  The sun sets like a red ball of fire over glistening clear water on a warm summer night.

Camping
Each campsite is on the shore of Little Bay de Noc, on the north end of Lake Michigan, and has a trail to the sandy shore and waters edge. The North Maywood, Oaks, and Group Campsites are separated with oak, hemlock and hardwood giving each camper privacy. The Twin Spring Loop is an open grassy area.

Group Site
Group sites are available for those wishing to camp together. Reservations must be made for the group site.

Picnic Area/Swimming Beach
The Day Use Area is located between the campground and Hunter's Point Boat Launch. The designated swimming area is along a sandy beach and picnic area. Lifeguards are not available and swimming is at your own risk. The picnic area includes grills and picnic tables on accessible pads and a large open grassy area for family games.

Fishing/Boating
Little Bay de Noc is widely recognized as one of the finest walleye fisheries in the country.  The Hunter's Point Boat Launch is located 1/2 mile north of the campground entrance on County Road 513.

Hiking
There are 3 hiking trails in the recreation area. The Bayshore Trail is 1.2 miles long and runs along the shoreline between the Twin Springs Loop and Hunter's Point Boat Launch. The accessible Maywood History Trail is .6 mile long and winds through towering 200 year old hemlocks and past the site where the hotel once stood. The White Pine Trail is 1.3 miles long and travels through Aspen, Oak and Pine.

Campground Hosts
Volunteer Hosts are located within the campground and will be glad to provide you with additional information about the campground, nearby attractions, interpretive programs, services and other recreational activities. If you are interested in becoming a Campground Host, contact the Rapid River Ranger District for an application and for additional information.

Site History
Even in the late 1800's the area was popular with visitors looking for some solitude. At that time a hotel and cottages drew people from as far away as Chicago. A large dock moored the passenger boats Maywood and Lotus, bringing many visitors to the area for a day picnic or overnight stay at the hotel. Many Gladstone residents would leisurely row across the bay to enjoy a Sunday afternoon picnic. In 1990 the Little Bay de Noc Recreation Area was constructed. This area is still a popular place for campers, picnickers and boaters.

General Information
You are welcome to pick up wood that is laying on the ground or stacked at your site for your campfires. Please remember that an animal may be living in that dead log you are trying to pick up--please respect their home. Rapid River is located 8 miles from the campground, west along Hwy 2; supplies can be purchased there.  Little Bay de Noc Campground is a fee area.  Golden Passes are accepted.

Contact
For more information about Little Bay de Noc Recreation Area, you may contact Rapid River Ranger District or the Supervisors Office in Escanaba.