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 --
