Manistee County: Trails, Water and Culture

Manistee County offers a variety of options for planning your trip: trails along Lake Michigan, river routes, cycling and winter trails, and culture in Manistee. Activities range from a paved path to long trails and countywide offerings.

Trails along Lake Michigan and the River

At Orchard Beach State Park, a 100-foot bluff overlooks Lake Michigan; the park has more than 3.5 miles of trails. The park is also home to a historic structure that was recently restored and relocated and weighs 850 tons. The beach is currently inaccessible from the park due to erosion. Check access conditions again before your trip, as shoreline conditions can change.

Manistee County has 25 miles of sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan. Portage Point Beach lies at the mouth of Portage Lake where it meets Lake Michigan, nestled among gently rolling dunes. At Arcadia Dunes in the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve, an accessible, nonmotorized, 0.5-mile paved path leads to a dune overlook above the lake. Arcadia Dunes also offers hiking and mountain biking trails, from beginner routes to more challenging rides. The Dry Hill Trail there is a 10-mile mountain biking loop.

Trails along the Big Manistee River vary in length and route. The Manistee River Trail is a trail system stretching more than 11 miles along high riverbanks between Tippy Dam and Hodenpyle Dam. The 245-foot Little Mac Suspension Bridge for pedestrians is also located on the Manistee River Trail. In downtown Manistee, the 1.75-mile southern Riverwalk runs along the Big Manistee River.

Paddling, Cycling and Winter Trails

Manistee County has 270 miles of rivers suitable for paddling. The section of the Big Manistee River within the county is rated easy to moderate. A section between Hodenpyl Dam and Red Bridge is used for tubing; river conditions vary. The City of Manistee operates three boat launches. Conditions and fees may change, so it’s a good idea to check both before your visit. Separately, the county has three harbors on Lake Michigan.

Winter offerings also vary by activity: the county has more than 150 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails, whose conditions vary seasonally. The Big-M Recreation Area has 18 miles of groomed classic cross-country ski trails. The 17-mile Outer Loop is a groomed trail for fat biking; grooming is seasonal. The trail network at the Big-M Recreation Area connects to the North Country Trail system.

Culture and Regional History

In Manistee, the Manistee County Historical Museum features, among other things, the Lyman Drug Store, historic living spaces, and Victorian antiques and photographs. The S.S. City of Milwaukee is a National Historic Landmark and a traditional railroad car ferry in the North U.S. 31 corridor in Manistee. Tippy Dam was completed in 1918. Visitors fish for salmon and steelhead in the tailwaters immediately below the dam; river conditions and regulations vary.

The Cultural Corridor at the Little River Casino Resort shares the history of the Anishinaabe, or Ottawa, Indian tribe. In addition, the Manistee County tourism office offers 15 self-guided tours; check their availability before your trip. Agritourism includes U-pick farms, farmers markets and tasting locations at nearly 20 sites. U-pick offerings are seasonal. These varied options can help you plan your trip around the activities and topics that interest you in Manistee County.

Discover more destinations: Manistee, Oceana County, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Huron County, Berrien, Delta County, Barry County.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.