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Manistee
River |
In the northern reaches of lower Michigan, we find a gem for long canoeing adventure! |
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Manistee
River |
In the northern reaches of lower Michigan, we find a gem for long canoeing adventure! |
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General Description & Characteristics -- Michigan has many beautiful rivers, but only a few suitable for extended canoe camping trips. Here's a gem in the northern section of the lower peninsula that is attractive for long float trips. The Manistee River (often called the Big Manistee to differentiate it from the nearby but not Little Manistee) emanates from just east of the town of Mancelona. The upper Manistee is a region of forests and glacial lakes. Much of the upper river flows through the Pere Marquette State Forest, and the lower Manistee flows through the Manistee National Forest. The canoeable section of the Manistee has no significant rapids, but is a narrow, twisting stream, and can be tricky to navigate. Location & Canoeable Mileage -- You can put in at Cameron Bridge Road, and canoe down to Glengary Bridge, just above the small impoundment of the Hodenpyle Dam (near the town of Mesick). This is a distance of 96 miles. According to the local outfitters, it can be canoed at a leisurely pace in 7 days. If you don't mind the portages of Hodenpyle and Tippy Dam, and several miles of lake paddling, you can canoe another 60 miles to the mouth of the Manistee on Lake Michigan in the town of Manistee. Interesting Features -- The Manistee River cuts a beautiful path -- a post card around every bend. Groves of intermixed birch, cedar and hardwoods are common. One can smell pine in the air. Clusters of homes, "wilderness", occasional commercial liveries, meadows and convenient camping line the banks. During summer, the Manistee is well used by canoes, tubes, and kayaks -- the developed campgrounds can be busy. The water is incredibly clear and cool, 4-inch to 6-feet plus deep, constantly moving water. There is faster water in some places, but no white water. It may be necessary to line the canoes at some points due to fallen logs in chest-deep water. Some spots offer a somewhat fast-paced challenge to maneuver through log jammed narrows that twist and turn sharply while the current sweeps where one does not want to go. Wildlife you may encounter include deer, otter, and possibly bear. Unwanted wildlife sightings will include deer flies, mosquitoes and gnats. You can explore the woodlands of the state and national forests along the river. In the area between the two small lakes, there is an 11 mile hiking trail along the banks of the Manistee. The Michigan section of the North Country National Scenic Trail crosses the Manistee at Hodenpyle Dam. Camping -- There are several state designated campsites along the river with minimal facilities. These are accessible by road and charge fees for camping, and based on their frequency, you could easily use these for camping each night. You can also camp at primitive sites along the river; sand bars and other primitive camps are abundant along the river. Much of the land along the upper sections of the river is in public ownership (state), and while the DNR issues camping permits for their land, some locals suggest this requirement is not strictly enforced -- we suggest you inquire on this point while planning your trip. Additional Information -- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
