AUGUST FEATURED AIRSTRIP: HANLEY FIELD, MICHIGAN

A field with the words featured airstrip on it

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. This month, we’re featuring Hanley Field, Michigan.


Trio of Appeal: Scenic Recreation, Camper Amenities, and Community Support

Hanley Field, the 4,000-ft turf airfield on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan boasts much more than beautiful scenery and a great place to camp. Discover this area for yourself, and take advantage of the new facilities brought about with the help of a substantial RAF grant, with support and encouragement of the Alger County Commission and many local volunteers, including the Marquette EAA Chapter. RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant said, “It’s been wonderful working with the community of Munising.”



Imagine paddling your own kayak among the technicolor caves in Lake Superior, or hiking among the waterfalls within the National Park Service Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Or trying to name the myriad of hues during autumn in the mixed forest. Enjoy spectacular scenery by leisurely tour boat, or a breathtaking “Riptide Ride.” You can view some of the shipwrecks that Lake Superior has claimed from a glass-bottom boat. Pontoon boats and kayaks are available for rent. Visitors can explore on their own or take a commercial tour to enjoy sand dunes and deep forests, or spectacular views of sandstone cliffs and formations, caves, and waterfalls tumbling into the turquoise freshwater of Lake Superior. This is all accessible from Hanley Field, just three miles southeast of the town of Munising, Michigan. It’s an all-season destination, but winter snow closes the airfield. Aviation weather at Hanley is accessible via text message.


An RAF grant provided funds at Hanley Field for a restroom, shower, kitchenette, and more. The town of Munising, though small, offers shops, restaurants, and galleries that showcase the town’s vibrant personality, and a chance to learn the rich history of the region.

Find more about Hanley Field in the Airfield Guide.


Submitted July 31, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray

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