This does not include trailheads for the North Country National Scenic Trail or Hungerford Recreation Area. A 23-mile loop trail is formed with the Manistee River Trail along the Manistee River. Lodging, amenities, nearby attractions, and more! The Natural River designation includes the main stem and major tributaries. Currently the White River is designated Scenic by the State of Michigan. Gentle currents will carry you effortlessly through scenic woodland teeming with wildlife. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. The Upper Manistee River watershed is located in the northwestern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. During those years many of the logs and fallen trees that littered the river were carried downstream with the harvested white pine. Planning your hike on the Manistee River Loop is fairly straightforward. The owners were very nice a pleasure to talk to. Dispersed Camping - Manistee National Forest. Search our complete list of campgrounds in the Manistee County by selecting a location below. Connector trails are marked with white rectangle blazes on trees. Confidence markers are orange triangles. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is the only designated wilderness on the Huron-Manistee National Forests. You don’t need experience to canoe the Manistee River, there are no dangerous rapids and it … There are lots of great designated and non-designated camping spots all along the Manistee River Trail. The lower 26-miles of the Pine River was designated a National Scenic River in 1992. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. Found 6 listings Visit www.byways.org for more information. Universally accessible picnic tables and wells. Areas for Group Camping at Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River The river has many bends and large logs. 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. These campgrounds are on the east side of the state/east side of US-127, These campgrounds are on the west side of the state/west side of US-127. Enjoy a Kid’s Day program or take a guided nature hike. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. If your campfire will be on National Forest System lands you will not need a wood permit to cut firewood. The NCNST is marked with blue rectangle-shaped blazes. The river banks are covered with lowland brush, swamp conifers, white pine and a variety of oak. The Au Sable National Scenic River, is a 23-mile portion of the Au Sable River that stretches from Mio to Alcona Pond. 23 sites for tent or small trailer use along the main branch of the Manistee River. In addition, a small trailhead is located on NFS Road 6267, giving access to the Bowman Lake Campground Trail, which is approximately 7.5 miles of loop trail designed for nonmotorized recreation. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. This is the section of the Huron National Forest furthest west, and most sites are located along or north of M-72. Help stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. Scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river. Recreation areas near the Wakeley Lake Area. Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center sits at the center of the byway. Depending on the time of year you take this hike, a sizable waterfall will appear by … The 128.8-mile portion of the NCNST that goes through the Manistee portion of the National forests has 15 spur trails to other forest hiking and interpretive trails. Four improved campsites are located on Bowman Lake. Old US-131 State Forest Campground. Dispersed and Primitive tent camping within the Forests is allowed almost anywhere, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping". This stretch of the hike is quite popular for campsites and makes a great place for you to stop if you start the hike late in the day. Campgrounds in Manistee Michigan: Campendium has 13 reviews of Manistee RV parks, state parks and national parks making it your best Manistee RV camping resource. The Manistee River between Tippy Dam and the M-55 Bridge was designated as a National Recreational River in 1996. This area contains all recreation sites located near the Corsair Area, located south of the Au Sable River and River Road National Scenic River in the southeast corner of the Huron National Forest. It has a drainage area of 590 square miles. Large spacious sites near Seaton Creek and Manistee River. A total of 1,145 acres of NFS lands and 368 acres of private lands are within the boundary of the Bowman Lake area. This area covers all recreation areas along M-37 between White Cloud and Baldwin. Map Information. Numerous campgrounds and access sites are conveniently spaced over the entire length of the river, and make it possible to paddle a two hour float, a ten day trip, or anything in between. For a more relaxed experience, visitors will enjoy the lush forest and breathtaking vistas from the many scenic overlooks along the route. Whelan Lake Special Area is a 2,800 acre area located near the south branch of the Pere Marquette River. River Dune Campground in Huron-Manistee, Michigan | The River Dune Campground is a small, quiet site set back from the road. Map showing recreational areas. Recreation opportunities include hunting, picnicking, mushroom gathering and berry picking. The Au Sable National Scenic River stretches 23-miles, from Mio to Alcona Pond. Our beautiful park offers a range of sites from full hook-up to large group sites, as well as clean facilities and full service cabins. The section north of Tippy Dam, up to Hodenpyl Dam Pond, is bordered on either side by the Manistee River Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail. Some sites have pedestal grills, beaches or other amenities. A 3-mile segment of the NCT is located within this area and mountain biking is allowed on this section of trail. The trail maps are set to printon 8.5x11 paper. Segments of the State of Michigan snowmobile trail system and Michigan Cycle Conservation Club Trail (MCCCT) system are located immediately south of the area. Wildlife species that commonly inhabit this area include white-tailed deer, bobcat, coyote, red fox, raccoon, porcupine, squirrels, pileated woodpecker, ruffed grouse, wild turkey and various songbirds. In the fall, hunters come from all over to take advantage of the abundant white-tailed deer, waterfowl and small game hunting available along the river. This river is not navigable for canoeing or boating, however it is an excellent river for cold-water fishing. It includes the Little Manistee and Pine Rivers in addition to the main stem of the Manistee. Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. Manistee is a very clean and friendly town with lots of water. The Pere Marquette National Scenic River  is a sixty-six mile stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches east of Baldwin to the Old Highway 31 Bridge. Brochure with map:  This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. Matson’s Big Manistee River Campground (Manistee National Forest,) Explore Matson’s Big Manistee River Campground in Michigan and learn about their accommodations. Our campgrounds are eager to service all of your needs when visiting the region. No special use permit is required for individuals or small groups (74 people or less). Camping in Manistee, Michigan-- Enjoy camping along the Manistee River in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, and explore Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk. Its flow of water still serves as an important link in the production of the state's electrical power supply. People have enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Au Sable for hundreds of years. In August 2019, we stayed in our Motorhome at The Bluffs on Manistee Lake in Manistee, MI. At this point, take the Manistee River Trail and follow the Manistee River downstream. This area is also within the Manistee River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area, a 7,900 acre area of the Forest. or less. In the spring and fall, high numbers of anglers are attracted to the superb salmon and steelhead runs. No reservations. You can learn more about this lumbering history at Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center that sits at the center of the byway. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also common uses on the area trails. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov. Camping Rules: No permits are required along the Manistee River Trail Loop. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. A reservation is not needed for these sites, all sites are first come, first served. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. The Au Sable River was a major transportation route for floating Michigan’s giant white pine from forest to the sawmill towns on Lake Huron. The river is wide and characterized by steep banks and sharp bends, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends. Manistee River Bridge State Forest Campground. The Bowman Lake Trailhead serves as a main entry point onto the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). The Manistee River is the most unspoiled natural river in the lower peninsula, and has become the place for superior canoeing, rafting, kayaking, tubing, and great rustic camping along the banks of the Manistee River. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. The trail passes under I-75, north of Grayling, and then continues eastward to follow the historic Au Sable River to its end in Au Sable, just south of Oscoda. The river averages a gradient of about 2.9 feet/mile making this great for the novice paddler. 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