It is in a nice grove of trees and there is plenty of flat clear space for multiple tents. ... Manistee River Trail. Archived. There's ample parking at all trailheads. MAPS AND GUIDES: USGS Yuma and Marilla topographic maps are available for $4 apiece through the Forest Service, along with free maps of the Manistee River Trail and the NCT. The official way back is the North Country Trail, but we took the Upper River Road back instead to avoid the densely wooded forest full of mosquitoes. There were also hundreds of small frogs! Feel free to spread the words or share this with your friends or family and happy travels . 2A – This site is a little bit off the main trail right on the river but does not offer much privacy. The Manistee River Loop Trail is a 19.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Mesick, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as moderate. I laughed at his confidence while reflecting on how grateful I was to find this wild preserved place. My eye caught movement in the water, and as I focused in I saw a fat beaver! The east side of the Manistee River has high banks )125+ feet and is a truly beautiful hike. The Manistee River Trail can be a great fit for many different levels of hikers. The site has lots of trees, wood for a fire, and flat clear space for multiple tents. I guess I shouldn’t have been that surprised though, because the Huron-Manistee National Forest is only 20 minutes from Mesick, MI, the mushroom capital of the country. Then a suspension footbridge opened in 1996, connecting the newly completed Manistee River Trail across the river to the NCT. Take the North Country Trail to the right (the sign just says “Trail”) to complete the loop back to the Red Bridge River Access parking lot. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Thanks! We made a fire, set up camp, consumed some much needed grub, then bravely took a bath in the cold river while trying to ignore the huge bass that threatened to nibble our toes. To reach the Marilla trailhead from MI 55, take MI 37 north to Mesick, turn left on MI 115, left on Beers Road and left at the North Country Trail sign. It is not visible from the trail, offering 100% privacy and is right on the river. 5. We also didnt notice much traffic the week we went which was around late May. Though there are established campsites along the trail, you may set any camp anywhere you please as long as it is 200 feet from the river. The trail is limited to foot traffic only. Bear Creek Boat Launch. Both were gorgeous and would have been perfect places to watch the sun set over the Manistee river. 8C – Although not right on the river this site is only a few hundred feet off of the main trail and has a great view of the river. TRAILS: Huron-Manistee National Forest contains 120 miles of the North Country Trail. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. 7A – My favorite site of the 7 series by far, this site is so far off the main trail that you can’t even see the campsite from the trail. Unmolested by bridges, cottages and dams, this wild stretch of Michigan's third-longest river appeals not only to paddlers and anglers looking for trophy trout but also to hikers. 8. I’m not sure how long we slept before waking to the sound of gentle rainfall. Back on the Manistee River Loop! Bear Creek, the largest tributary of the Manistee River below Tippy Dam, boasts a bountiful fishery in its own right, so the U.S. Forest Service site where Bear Creek flows in the Manistee River provides access to the best of both worlds. Good job. Read more. 10A & 10B – Both sites are close to the main trail but have great views right along the river for watching the sunset. Follow MI 55 west for 20 miles, then turn right on Warfield Road. Go in on the right hand side[northwest.] He swam across the river and reaching the opposite side, slowly waddled out of the water, arrogantly strutting up the shoreline like a shirtless body builder. You will see white paint head high on the tree trunks and plastic blue diamond trail markers. We were not looking forward to packing up wet gear and hiking back in the rain, but fortunately it quiet by sunrise. Shore To Shore Trail. Pass it and you'll hike an extra 2 miles, but considering the pleasant surroundings, worse things could happen. It is... All the information youve given is just what I’m looking for for my next camping trip. A beautiful section of the North Country trail runs along the river through Manistee County. 8B – Approaching site 8B it was immediately one of my favorites. Bear Creek at 16 mm. After 5 miles, turn left on Coates Highway, and the Red Bridge Access parking lot is 2 miles ahead on the left just after the bridge. 4C – Not visible from the main trail, this site is a great spot for privacy right on the beautiful Slagle Creek. Once we found the trail we were pleasantly surprised by the caliber of scenery, camp sites, and trail markers. And you can leave the extra car at home. I just hung my food in normal bag. I made a mental note that the Manistee River would make a stunning fall kayak camping trip. It's impressive not for the views, but for the variety. The only redeeming song in their disgusting repertoire was “Sweet Home Alabama.” Most people come out here for serenity so please be courteous if you bring a radio. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/the-manistee-river-trail 1B – This site is off the main trail in a wide open space, but there is little to no privacy. You’re most welcome Heather! Tippy to High Bridge has the most fish with bright silver fish showing up daily. 3A – Site 3A is right along the trail a mile or so after 3B in an open spot that offers no privacy and little shade. (Sandhill Crane Photo Credit: Greg Basco), Waking early the next morning, I took a peaceful stroll to enjoy the quiet and wild serenity of the Manistee River. WALK SOFTLY: Rangers ask that you camp at least 200 feet from the river unless you're at a designated campsite. The Manistee River Trail intersects with the North Just as our exhausted heads hit the pillow someone from the Seaton Creek Campground cranked up their radio. However, upon further inspection I realized that it was actually a sandhill crane and he was not alone! There are two trailheads for the Manistee River Trail, Seaton Creek Campground and Red Bridge, both offer camping. Over the next several hours we hiked through lush forests, grasslands, swamps, fern valleys, and bluffs. Or better yet, leave it at home and enjoy nature’s symphony. PIT STOP: Sandy's in nearby Mesick has $1.95 breakfast specials. Not to Miss. If you decide to turn left after you cross the bridge keep going until you see the trail with the blue diamond marker taking off to the right. Thanks for the info! There are a lot of great mushrooms and interesting fungi growing between site 3A and 3B. Everglades National Park is definitely one place you’ll want to put on your bucket list! Big Manistee River River Description: The Big Manistee River is a 190 mile river running through 4 Michigan Counties. Slagle Creek is nearby but it doesn’t offer the easy creek access that 4C does. Completely worn out and starving (maybe even a tad bit grumpy), we were relieved we hadn’t stopped because it started raining right as we got to the car! 5. See the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Website for the most up-to-date information regarding backpacking the Manistee River Trail. On the Manistee River Trail side you'll find an 8-foot-high waterfall 2 miles south of the suspension bridge. 7C & 7B – Sitting high above the river on a cliff, this site’s fire pit is close to the edge making for a great view of the river. However, we forged ahead, hoping to hike another 30 minutes before stopping for the night. QUICK TAKE: Manistee River Loop, Michigan. (Beaver Photo Credit – Kent Mason). Water Body: Lake Michigan. Google search of this trails returns references to 20 miles trail loop, made up of North Country Trail and Manistee River Trail. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=18710&actid=51. Departing from the creek with hoards of vicious mosquitoes in tow, we wound deeper into the lush forest, skirting the river and crossing several creeks before reaching the last campsites and the suspension bridge near the Seaton Creek Campground. I couldn’t get over how many colorful mushrooms, fungi and uniquely shaped ferns grew along the trail! The weather forecast predicted more rain though, so we hustled to pack up and get on the road. Water Body: Lake Michigan. I hit the backpacking jackpot this summer when I discovered the Manistee River Trail Loop in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Although there are no designated camp sites on this section of the North Country Trail or the Upper River Road, people have created sites that work well. We decided to take the road back to escape the dense forest full of mosquitoes. It should be a beautiful time to go. Even with high end earplugs I couldn’t drown out the obnoxious head-banging music and laid awake for hours before they turned off the music and we finally fell asleep. Follow MI 55 west for 20 miles, then turn right on Warfield Road. I look back on that trip as somewhat of a whirlwind, like I do most backpacking trips. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Casey Jones Park Boat Launch. QUICK TAKE: Manistee River Loop, Michigan. One of the undoubted highlights of this soon-to-be 4600-mile beast, however, comes in the form of a slight but altogether sumptuous diversion comprised in the Manistee River Loop — a fairly new addition the Huron-Manistee National Forest’s network of trails which has quickly become one of the most popular hikes in the … Required fields are marked *. Shore To Shore Trail - South Spur. Great article. In Michigan's Trap Hills, you'll find space to wonder and wonder, and quiet rock outcrops with panoramas so wide you'll be blinking in disbelief. The Manistee River Hiking Trail begins at Seaton Creek Campground and follows the eastern bluff of the river 11-miles to Red Bridge access site and campground. At a Glance Close. Big River- Little River. It should be beautiful right now. Very good fishing, canoeing & kayaking and hiking. THE WAY: From Grand Rapids, take US 131 north to Cadillac. Bear Creek Boat Launch. The Route: We started the Manistee River Trail Loop from the southern end at Red Bridge River Access, then crossed the suspension bridge near the Seaton Creek Campground. Visit Manistee County is offering a free, 42-page Winter Trails Guide online. After hiking for a mile or so we came to the first two designated camp sites. Ours was right on the Manistee River and next to a beautiful creek. You can hike this trail from start-to-end if you have a group with multiple vehicles. Most excellent, it’s a really awesome area and river to camp or hike along! Manistee is a beautiful river tho and lots of overlooks along the trail. 4B – This site is off of the main trail but it is still very visible and doesn’t offer a lot of privacy. You have the choice to hike all 10.8 miles and then retrace your steps back to your vehicle for a 21.6 mile hike. Take the Manistee River Trail back to Seaton Creek Campground to complete the loop. In this post, I share some tips about the Manistee River Trail loop that may be helpful for anyone planning to hike the MRT. Usually we would have pressed on to get further away from other campers, but my whining had reached an obnoxious decibel and Travis, anxious for my sniveling to end, agreed to stop. Right on the river, this site is off the main trail in a grove of trees offering shade, privacy and lots of flat clear space for multiple tents. As you continue up the trail from site 8C you will cross a boardwalk and skirt an inlet of the Manistee River. One of Michigan’s newest trails, the 11-mile […] “Ewwww don’t eat me! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ... Also wondering if we need to take black bear precautions in this area of Michigan (near Cadillac). Updates delivered monthly straight to your inbox. On the east side of the river, the Manistee River Trail rolls across smaller hills and flats, where waterfalls, streams, wetland boardwalks, and high, cut-away riverbanks characterize the land. Snowmobiling in and around Manistee County. 6 years ago. Japanese also refer to them as “the bird of happiness,” and I had to agree that sighting these birds made me happy! CCC Bridge SFCG Boat Launch. Returning to camp I woke my groggy husband and made a gourmet backpacker’s breakfast before packing up and continuing our trek north along the eastern side of the Manistee River. Manistee River Trail. 4A – Approaching campsite 4A the trail opens up and you get a good view of the river. Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Michigan. Though there are established campsites along the trail, you may set any camp anywhere you please as long as it is 200 feet from the river. Get out your sleds and hit this multi-county trail network. Trail Map and Guide Classic Trails of Michigan Map Series By combing the scenic Manistee River Trail with a portion of the North Country Trail, hikers can enjoy a 23-mile, multi-day trek with backcountry campsites, ridge-top views of the Manistee River and even a waterfall … or two! No signs of bears when we went but you never know. There was no way this trail was only 17 miles! DRIVE TIME: The Manistee River Trail is located in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, about 270 miles (5 hours) northwest of Detroit, and 300 miles (51/2 hours) northeast of Chicago. I nearly squished a tiny green one, but fortunately for him, instead of getting stepped on, he just got sand kicked in his face. There is a nice open area with trees and plenty of flat clear space for multiple tents. A branch overlooking the river looked like a perfect perch, so I sat down scanning the shoreline for wildlife. It is nicely shaded though, and is a good site if you don’t mind foot traffic. The result is a weekend-size, 20-mile loop that offers some of the best views and most varied hiking in the Lower Peninsula. Just drive to one of the … Copyright © 2021 Bustling Abroad. The tent area is set back off the trail in a grove of trees where there is also another fire area and logs to sit on. Your email address will not be published. Wildlife viewing may include encounters with a variety of species such as bald eagles, loons, trumpeter swans, black bears, white tailed deer, river otters, and turtles. Bear River Trail, Trail Guide and Trail Map, Photos, Maps, Links, Resources for hiking and running,bicycling,trail maps, trail information, rail trails, Michigan trails Every part of me wanted to sit and relax here by a fire while watching the sun go down over the river. Lots of new Steelhead on gravel. Mid-Mchigan. If you decide to turn right after you cross the bridge you will climb some stairs and end up in a parking lot next to a road (Upper River Rd). 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