Newest Upper Peninsula Campground, Kona Hills Campground, Holds Ribbon-Cutting and Opens to the Public
Rustic campground occupies iconic Marquette location, and is meant to help alleviate shortage of short-term accommodations
Joe Thiel, CEO, Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Marty Fittante, CEO, InvestUP, Tim Piirala, Cofounder and Co-owner, Kona Hills Campground, Devin Mahoney, Cofounder and Co-owner, Kona Hills Campground, Jeremy Johnson, Cofounder and Co-owner, Kona Hills Campground, Sara Johnson, Director of Operations and Marketing, Kona Hills Campground, Sen. Ed McBroom, Michigan Senate, Carl Lindquist, Executive Director, Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Trust, Greg Schuetter, Vice President, People’s State Bank of Munising, Rick Nebel, CEO, People’s State Bank of Munising
Kona Hills Campground, a Marquette-based rustic campground for people who love camping, today held its long-awaited ribbon-cutting ceremony and formally opened for the 2025 camping season. The ceremony kicks off a “friends and family” soft launch, before its public reservations begin May 30.
Perched 200 feet above Lake Superior with views of the southern Huron Mountain range (including Hogback Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain), Presque Isle, the city of Marquette and miles of Gitche Gumee, Kona Hills Campground is an 80-acre, 40-site campground with a mix of walk-in and drive-in locations to provide an authentic rustic camping experience with spacious, private spots for campers to enjoy solitude.
“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,” said Jeremy Johnson, Kona Hills Campground cofounder and co-owner. “Developing Kona Hills Campground with conservation and preservation in mind, and now sharing it with the world, is a dream come true.”
Background
Kona Hills Campground is co-owned by Jeremy Johnson, Devin Mahoney and Tim Piirala. Jeremy, Devin and Tim all grew up in Marquette, and they, along with Kona Hills Campground Director of Operations and Marketing Sara Johnson, were passionate about using local organizations to see their vision come to fruition.
Kona Hills Campground co-owner Jeremy Johnson, Director of Operations and Marketing Sara Johnson, and co-owners Devin Mahoney, and Tim Piirala
The campground’s design and layout was completed by Shubbe Consulting and Copper Harbor-based Rock Solid Trail Contracting, and the excavation completed by Marquette-based Smith Construction and Lakanen Excavation. Marquette-based Treado Engineering assisted with permitting and surveying services were conducted by Marquette-based Geometric Services, Inc. Fleis and Vandenbrink assisted in the permitting of the entrance off U.S. 41/M-28, including conducting the requisite traffic study.
The office of State Senator Ed McBroom was instrumental in helping navigate the complex state regulatory landscape, which culminated in receiving a campground permit from the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes and Energy.
“Kona Hills Campground is a perfect example of innovation, conservation and providing a resource that addresses an unmet need in the Marquette area,” said Sen. McBroom. “As a student at Northern Michigan University, and during the time I’ve had the honor of representing Marquette as a senator, I have spent countless hours exploring the beauty of its great outdoors. Kona Hills Campground is a wonderful addition to the Marquette landscape.”
The land was first purchased in 2020 when Jeremy and Devin saw a “for sale” sign on the side of the highway. The land was closed on six months later, and has received $1.5 million in investment from the founders, Peoples State Bank of Munising and a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“Peoples State Bank of Munising is proud to support these local entrepreneurs bringing rustic camping to visitors and locals, who have shown the true U.P. resilience and spirit throughout this endeavor,” said Rick Nebel, Peoples State Bank of Munising CEO. “We are honored and proud to be a partner of Kona Hills Campground, and wish them nothing but success!”
Kona Hills co-founders Time Piirala, Devin Mahoney, Jeremy Johnson, and Sen. Ed McBroom holding a tribute from Rep. Karl Bohnak.
Amenities
Kona Hills Campground provides a mix of 32 walk-in and eight vehicle-friendly sites throughout its 80 acres. Each campsite, which costs only $30 per camping night, comes equipped with walled fire rings and picnic tables.
The eight drive-in sites can support recreational vehicles up to 24 feet long, however do not offer electric or water hookups. Additionally, in true rustic fashion, gas generators are prohibited.
The campground offers hand-pump potable water from a deep artesian well and portable toilets. Local firewood is available for purchase at the welcome area.
After the 2025 season, Kona Hills Campground plans on erecting permanent bathhouses, adding a fully-graveled road loop and improved site access and offering glamping for those looking for a more curated and luxurious escape.
Kona Hills Campground is also working toward providing unique outdoor recreation opportunities, including rock and ice climbing, as well as private trails that connect to the nearby regional trail network for seamless adventure.
The campground will be open through October, before closing for the season.
The uniqueness of Kona Hills Campground owes itself to the namesake Kona Dolomite found throughout the property, which exists nowhere else in the world. Dating back 2.1 billion years, it is known for its light pink, orange and yellow hues, along with banded patterns due to iron inclusion.
Industry
The opening of Kona Hills Campground occurs amidst the full or partial closure of more than 20 state campgrounds during the 2025 season, providing a remarkable alternative for those prioritizing beauty, access to outdoor recreation, proximity to a thriving community as well as nearby beaches and boat launches.
Michigan currently offers more than 1,000 campgrounds, including state parks, RV parks and backcountry camping areas, representing an industry expected to exceed $417 million in 2025 according to industry research consultancy IBISWorld. More than two million camping nights are recorded every year in Michigan.
Kona Hills Campground aims to help alleviate a shortage of short-term accommodations in the Marquette area, which is responsible for increased costs of hotels, motels and rentals through platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. By offering short-term accommodations, companies like Kona Hills Campground can help ensure that the continued construction of quality housing stock can support long-term residency and a growing population of those wanting to plant their flag on the shores of Lake Superior.
About Kona Hills Campground
Kona Hills Campground is a rustic campground for people who love camping. It offers a mix of 40 walk-in and drive-up sites across 80 acres, providing basic amenities and unparalleled views of the Marquette area, including the southern Huron Mountains and Lake Superior.
Opened in 2025, Kona Hills Campground was cofounded and is co-owned by Marquette natives and lifelong friends Jeremy Johnson, Devin Mahoney and Tim Piirala. Like its namesake Kona Dolomite, a rare mineral known for its pink and red hues found throughout its land, the Kona Hills Campground is a gem that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.