Ferris State winter break storage options in Big Rapids MI

Admin
November 23rd, 2025

When winter break arrives in Big Rapids, many Ferris State students face the same question. What do you do with all your stuff when you head home or sublease your place for a few weeks?

Lugging everything back to your family’s house can mean multiple car trips in winter weather. Leaving belongings in an empty apartment for a month can feel risky or expensive if you want to pause a lease. A nearby storage unit can be a simple middle option, especially when it is close to campus and easy to access at any hour.

At 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids, located at 18755 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307, we serve students, families, and local residents looking for straightforward storage along the Northland Drive corridor. Our combination of 24 hour access, drive up units, and online payments fits well with the unpredictable schedules that come with finals and move out days.

Key Takeaway: Winter break storage lets Ferris State students clear out quickly, protect belongings from winter conditions, and avoid dragging everything home, especially when the facility is nearby and always open.

How far is student storage from Ferris State, and what does access look like

Ferris State University’s main campus sits on the south side of Big Rapids, centered around 1201 S State Street. 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids is about four miles away on Northland Drive, making it a practical option whether you live on campus or in nearby off campus housing.

Because access hours matter a lot during finals and move out week, it helps to know you can get to your unit whenever you have a break. Access to the facility is listed as open 24 hours a day, every day. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM all week, which gives you a long window if you need help or have questions while you are getting set up.

This mix is helpful for students who might finish an exam late in the evening or arrive back in town very early in the morning. You can load or grab items around your own schedule instead of trying to squeeze everything into a short office window.

If you plan to share a unit with roommates, that 24-hour access means everyone can coordinate their own trips, which reduces stress during a busy time of year.

Simple checklist for choosing winter break storage access:

Confirm the facility address and driving route before move out day.
Make sure access hours cover early mornings and late nights, not just office hours.
Plan one daylight visit to learn the layout before your first dark or snowy trip.

Key Takeaway: With 24-hour access and extended office hours, 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids gives Ferris State students flexibility to move on their own timeline during winter break.

What unit sizes work well for Ferris State winter break storage

Student needs vary, so it helps to match your belongings to the unit sizes actually available on site. The facility lists several popular drive up unit sizes, including 5x10, 10x10, and 10x30 options.

A 5x10 drive up unit can work well for a single student who is storing dorm style furniture, clothes, boxes, and a bike. Drive up in this context means you can park right next to the door of the unit, which makes loading easier in cold or snowy weather.

A 10x10 drive up unit is a better fit if you are sharing with a roommate or two and bringing small sofas, mattresses, and several totes. For even larger off campus setups or friends combining full apartment contents, a 10x30 drive up unit provides significantly more space.

Sample pricing on the site shows:

A 5x10 drive up unit with a listed promotion of 50 percent off the first month, plus a free lock.
A 10x10 drive up unit with the same 50 percent off the first month and free lock offer.
A 10x30 drive up unit where a free high security lock is included.

While specific rates can change, these examples show that the facility highlights promotions and includes locks, which reduces your up front costs when planning for winter break storage.

You can compare sizes in more detail by reviewing the facility’s storage size guide, which explains how much each type of unit commonly holds. You can reach that guide online at the size guide page to decide whether a smaller solo unit or a shared space makes more sense for your situation.

Key Takeaway: Ferris State students can choose from multiple drive up unit sizes at 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids, and sharing a 10x10 or 10x30 during winter break can keep costs down while still providing enough room.

How to prep your belongings for a Big Rapids winter

Big Rapids is known as an education and recreation community, with the City of Big Rapids highlighting its mix of education, industry, art, and nature. Winters in this part of Michigan are cold, with frequent chances for snow and below freezing temperatures, as shown in local National Weather Service forecasts for the area. That means a little extra planning will help keep your belongings in good shape while they sit in storage over winter break.

Here are three short micro modules to guide your winter prep

.1. Quick winter packing checklist

Use sturdy plastic totes with tight lids for books, notes, and clothing. Cardboard can weaken if exposed to moisture.
Elevate boxes on pallets or plastic shelving if possible, to create a small buffer above the floor.
Wrap electronics and small appliances in soft, dry materials before boxing them.
Avoid storing liquids that might freeze or leak in cold conditions.

These steps help reduce the impact of temperature swings and humidity inside a unit during the winter months.

2. Scenario: three roommates sharing a unit

Imagine three Ferris State roommates who are heading home for a month. Between the three of them, they need to store mattresses, a couch, a TV, several gaming systems, kitchen gear, and a stack of plastic totes. A 10x10 drive up unit lets them park directly in front of the door, stack items efficiently, and lock up their shared belongings in one place.

Because access is available 24 hours a day, each roommate can drop off or grab items at different times as they return from exams or winter jobs. Online payment options also mean one person can pay and the others can reimburse, instead of making separate trips to an office.

3. Local friction tip: loading in winter conditionsWinter in Big Rapids can bring snow covered parking lots and cold winds. Drive up access at the facility reduces friction because you spend less time carrying heavy totes across icy ground. You can back a car, truck, or small trailer close to the unit and move items a few steps instead of a long distance.

Key Takeaway: Plan for cold, snow, and moisture when packing for winter break storage, and take advantage of drive up access and shared units to make move out day faster and safer.

How we help Ferris State students store between semesters

24/7 Storage: Big Rapids lists several features that are especially useful for college students who are storing belongings for a few weeks or a single season. Features include 24-hour access, 24-hour digital video surveillance, drive-up access, climate controlled units, outdoor vehicle parking, boxes and locks sold on site and a fully fenced property.

For students who care about security measures while they are away from Big Rapids, continuous digital video surveillance and a fenced facility add visible layers of protection around stored belongings.

If you are storing items that are more sensitive to temperature or humidity, such as select electronics or certain furniture, climate controlled units can be a strong option, since they provide an indoor environment with additional temperature moderation compared with standard drive up spaces.

The facility also supports modern payment habits. You can pay rent online through the dedicated pay online page, which makes it easy to manage your account even when you are away from campus. Together with the rental system, this means you can handle most of the setup and ongoing payments from your phone or laptop.

When you are ready to choose a unit, you can:

Use the storage size guide to compare options and decide how much space you and your roommates really need.
Visit the main website to explore units at 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids.
Go directly to the online rental system to reserve a unit for your winter break dates.

For a smooth experience, you can start by reviewing the size guide at see our storage size guide, then move to reserve a unit online before break.

Key Takeaway: Features like 24 hour access, security measures, climate controlled options, fenced grounds, and online payments make 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids well suited to short term winter break storage for Ferris State students.

Getting started with winter break storage in Big Rapids

If you are planning ahead, aim to secure your unit a little before finals week. This gives you time to compare sizes, coordinate with roommates, and avoid last minute stress. You can explore the facility and available units on the main website at 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids, or go straight to the online rental center to start your move in process. Once you have selected a unit, use the online payment system to handle rent while you are away from town. If you have questions about which unit size best fits your situation or how to handle a specific winter storage concern, you can reach the team by phone at (231) 272 4441 or through the contact page, and staff are listed as available every day of the week from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Key Takeaway: Reserve your winter break storage unit early, complete your rental and payments online, and load your belongings on your own schedule using 24-hour access.

FAQs

How close is 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids to Ferris State University

24/7 Storage: Big Rapids is in Big Rapids at 18755 Northland Drive, while Ferris State University’s main campus is centered near 1201 S State Street in the same city. The facilities are roughly four miles apart, which usually translates to a short drive, making it realistic to load items after leaving campus housing or to swing by your unit before heading out of town for winter break.

hat storage unit size should a Ferris State student choose for winter break

Unit size depends on how much you bring and whether you share with others. A 5x10 drive up unit can work well for one student with typical dorm furniture and several boxes. A 10x10 drive up unit offers more space for roommates who want to split a unit and store couches, beds, and multiple totes. For even larger off campus setups or small teams combining full apartment contents, a 10x30 drive up unit provides more room to spread out. Use the facility’s size guide to compare what each option can hold before you decide.

How can I pay for my storage unit while I am away from Big Rapids

You do not need to be in town to keep your account current. 24/7 Storage: Big Rapids offers online payments through a dedicated pay online page that lists the facility address and phone number alongside payment options. This allows you to manage your rent from home or while traveling during winter break, which is convenient if several roommates are sharing one unit and need to coordinate payments.

Are there security features at the facility while students are out of town

The facility lists 24-hour digital video surveillance and a fully fenced property among its features. These measures help monitor activity and create a defined boundary around the storage area while you are away. Combined with controlled access to the property and the ability to include a high security lock with some unit promotions, they add peace of mind during the weeks when Big Rapids may feel quieter, and you are relying on your unit to hold important belongings.

Can I store a vehicle, RV or trailer while I am away for part of the winterYes. The facility notes outdoor vehicle parking as one of its features. This can be useful if you need a place to keep a car, small trailer, or similar vehicle when you are away from campus or downsizing to a different housing arrangement. Always review current terms and any seasonal guidelines before storing a vehicle, and contact the facility directly with specific questions.

Key Takeaway: Ferris State students can choose winter break storage with flexible sizes, security features, online payments, and even outdoor vehicle parking, all supported by a facility located a short drive from campus.

For students and families who want to learn more about the university community and local services in Big Rapids, it can help to review official resources.

Ferris State University maintains an official website that shares campus information, academic programs, and student resources, which is helpful when planning move out dates and travel around the academic calendar.
The City of Big Rapids website provides community information, local services, and updates, giving a broader view of the town where you will be storing your belongings during winter break.

Key Takeaway: Combining trusted local resources with a nearby storage facility helps Ferris State students make informed decisions about winter break plans and storage needs.