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By Journal Staff
MARQUETTE -- The Preserve LLC has announced the approval of a special-use permit for Kona Hills Campground in Sands Township. This milestone, it said, it's a major step forward for Kona Hills, allowing the campground to finalize and submit its application at the state level to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
"We have been working on plans for this campground since 2020," said Jeremy Johnson, co-owner of The Preserve, in a news release. "A lot of thought has gone into the layout and minimal disturbance to the property."
The site design, he said, was performed by Rock Solid Contracting, based in Copper Harbor, and is unique in that all campsites are spread out instead of being closely grouped together like a typical campground.
"The main goal of the Kona Hills project is to open up this significant piece of land to our local and tourist communities in a sustainable way that preserves what makes it special," Johnson said. "We have a huge focus on awareness and education of this area, which is known locally as 'the rock cut.'"
Kona Hills Campground plans to offer 50 tent-only campsites across 80 acres of wooded land. The campground is located in the northeastern corner of Sands Township, 200 feet above Lake Superior on top of a Kona dolomite rock outcropping for which the campground is named.
There will be no sewer or electric hookups on site and no recreational vehicles will be allowed. Day use will be allowed for the general public.
"We've all driven by the rock cut area, but what a lot of people might not realize is that there is a lot of historical significance to this area, including some of the largest visible stromatolite fossils in the world," Johnson said. "People come from all over to view these rocks, including university groups."
In addition to the campground, The Preserve LLC plans to work with local groups to preserve the land, increase access to recreational activities and highlight the historical relevance of the area.
"We're actively talking with local groups and organizations to promote the history of the area as well," Johnson said. "If anyone is interested in working on the project, we encourage them to reach out."
One of the more interesting areas to note is the cliff in Chocolay Township that was known by the Ojibwa as "O zah gee oh kaw wah bee win," which roughly translates to "Sauk's Lookout," The Preserve said. The cliff itself will not be a part of the campground and plans are still being developed on how to safely, respectfully and responsibly access this area.
Also located on the property is rock outcropping on the western end of the property that overlooks what was thought to be a massive terraced community garden for several tribes along the Chocolay River Trail and is now the Marquette Branch Prison.
"It's a bit ironic," Johnson said. "This area used to be a site of sustenance for an entire community and now it is a state prison. I think that history deserves more public awareness."
Plans are for the campground to be open for the 2024 camping season.