MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – We’ve all driven by the section of US 41 south, known as the “rock cut”. But behind that large outcropping is a beautiful wilderness that few people can access. Well, now you can.
Behind that rock face is Kona Hills campground, due to open at the end of the month. The campground will feature 40 campsites with variable access. Some campsites you can drive right up to, and others require a short walk. According to co-owner Jeremy Johnson, it’s all about providing access.
“We believe it should be public, just like Sugar Loaf, just like Black Rocks, and we want to open it up to locals primarily, but people that come to visit too. Two of the most iconic views in Marquette County that rival Black Rocks, Sugarloaf, Hogsback, or any of them,” said Johnson.
All the campsites are rustic, meaning no hookups for water, power, or septic.
“We have no electric or sewer hookups. But every site does have a picnic table as well as a fire pit,” explained Johnson.
There is water available.
“Though it’s a hand pump well, it goes 400 feet down and taps into the Sands Plain Aquifer,” said Johnson.
With housing at a premium in Marquette County, Johnson believes his campsites will help with the shortage of overnight lodging.
“Increasing the supply of short-term accommodations to take the pressure off of our long-term housing. You know, the more short-term stuff we build, the less pressure there is on the prices for our long-term housing,” said Johnson.
Kona Hills will have its official ribbon-cutting. Tomorrow morning, with its first campers arriving on May 30
