PILOTS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF NORTH FOX ISLAND’S REOPENING
Abandoned, overgrown North Fox Island airstrip lay for decades on an uninhabited 820-acre island owned by the State of Michigan, just 24 nm northwest of Charlevoix. In 2012, former RAF Michigan Liaison Brad Frederick recognized that it could become “A spectacular recreational aviation destination.”
He envisioned airplanes and tents lining the mixed hardwood forest edge, and campfire smoke rising among a circle of campers; hikers exploring the pristine shore of Lake Michigan. He set out to make contacts and friends to reopen the turf runway. Motivated volunteers from the RAF and Friends of North Fox Island stepped up. He also obtained the cooperation of Michigan Dep’t of Aeronautics, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and after years of planning, and many hours of meetings, in 2015 the DNR authorized the RAF to bring the runway to a safe condition. For the past ten years, volunteers have flown in and worked on maintenance and camping improvements.
This October 3-5, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the reopening of North Fox Island, (6Y3), RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant organized a fly-in, including special delicacies like Michigan Liaison Tanmoy Ganguly’s famous kabobs. “A short thunderstorm on Friday created ambiance – thunder and light rain to fall asleep to,” Grant said.
Submitted October 15, 2025
This is the first and only RAF property I’ve been to. I flew up with a friend in 2018 and had an amazing experience camping out overnight on North Fox. Even though I’m not a pilot yet, I donate to RAF every year as I love what you do and I look forward to becoming a pilot and enjoying these backcountry types of properties that the RAF has worked so hard to maintain and preserve. Thanks for all you do!
North Fox Island is one of my bucket list dreams. I have been working for about a year to get my medical back and hopefully it is about to happen, so maybe next season i will be able to get in my little Cherokee and take a little trip from Dallas, Tx. for some camping. Thanks to all that make it possible to have this place and to have the dream to go there.