Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is the only designated wilderness on the Huron-Manistee National Forests. A reservation is not needed for these sites, all sites are first come, first served. The Manistee River Trailhead is close by. The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. Some trails are designated for mountain bikes while others are specifically designed for off- road-vehicles. A waterfall near the northern end of the trail is very popular with many hikers. Bull Gap Hill Climb provides a challenge for experienced riders, while the trail section near Maltby Hills is available for trail riders with less experience. Enjoy a Kid’s Day program or take a guided nature hike. As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. No reservations. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. Climb through a log jam, use a peavey, cut a wooden cookie with a cross-cut saw, and learn about the life of a lumberjack through video and displays. 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. Backwater bayous, extensive riparian areas and mature forest communities provide habitat for a diverse number of wildlife species. There are lots of great designated and non-designated camping spots all along the Manistee River Trail. Recreation areas located near Hoist and Reid Lakes, north of the Au Sable River in the northeast corner of the Huron National Forest. On a whim, using www.Campendium.com, I thought we would try out the dispersed camping available in the Manistee National Forest in the Nordhouse Wilderness.Although the exact spot on Campendium was already taken, there were a dozen of other spots along Nordhouse’s main road. Whelan Lake Special Area is a 2,800 acre area located near the south branch of the Pere Marquette River. QUICK TAKE: Manistee River Loop, Michigan. This trail system can also be used by mountain bikers and horseback riders. Three sections of the White River are currently being study for inclusion as a National Scenic River. In recent years efforts have been made to replace logs in the river to help reduce erosion and maintain the world-class trout fishing river as an aquatic habitat. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also common uses on the area trails. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). The recreation sites in this area are all located on the Lake Michigan shoreline or within driving distance of the lake. It has a drainage area of 590 square miles. During those years many of the logs and fallen trees that littered the river were carried downstream with the harvested white pine. As mentioned below, camping at the Red Bridge River campground is on a first-come, first-served basis, but those planning to camp at Seaton Creek can make reservations in advance here. Paddlers find the river to be a steady and moderate float, with a meandering course. 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. Map: This brochure is set to print on 8.5x11 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. A 3-acre lake is located within the area. Fire pits, picnic tables, privies, shelters and water are all provided. Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02, Occupancy and Use - Developed Recreation Areas, Dispersed Areas, Being Publicly Nude, Marine Prohibitions, Parking and Sanitation; R904-14-03. There are a number of dispersed fishing access sites along the river, some of which allow camping. For those planning to skip the established campg… 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. Camp or make a fire at least 200 feet from the water and 100 feet off the trail. You can learn more about this lumbering history at Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center that sits at the center of the byway. Its flow of water still serves as an important link in the production of the state's electrical power supply. The Little Manistee River offers many opportunities for steelhead and trout fishing. The river banks are covered with lowland brush, swamp conifers, white pine and a variety of oak. Come explore all that Michigan's lush North has to offer from the comfort of your own RV or one of our rental units. People have enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Au Sable for hundreds of years. Universally accessible picnic tables and wells. THE WAY: From Grand Rapids, take US 131 north to Cadillac. President Ronald Reagan signed the law establishing the segment of river as a National Scenic River on October 4, 1984. 112 miles of trail run through the Huron portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The Manistee River, from Tippy Dam to the M-55 Bridge, is a designated National Recreation River. The grassy wooded sites are all within close walking distance of the river. A reservation is not needed for these sites, all sites are first come, first served. There are several dispersed campsites along the trail. Map showing recreational areas. There are several hundred miles of trails winding through the Manistee National Forest. Upon completion the trail will extend from Crown Point, New York to Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota. There are several river access sites, day use areas and campgrounds located along this section of river. After European settlement of the area, the Au Sable River was a major throughway for floating white pine to sawmills or waiting barges at ports on Lake Huron. The watershed includes parts of five counties: Antrim, Otsego, Crawford, Kalkaska and Missaukee. The Manistee River Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail connector is also the site of the largest wooden suspension bridge in Lower Michigan. Nature Areas: Kohn Family Nature Preserve. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills, glacial depressions and leatherleaf bogs. Recreation opportunities include hunting, picnicking, mushroom gathering and berry picking. Scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river. Large spacious sites near Seaton Creek and Manistee River. A large portion of the river flows through the White River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area. Recreation areas near the Wakeley Lake Area. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop. Tippy Dam Campground. Parks: Casey Jones Roadside Park (US-131) The river has many bends and large logs. The North Country National Scenic Trail is being constructed across federal, state, county and private land. This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere. Numbered signs are located beside the road pointing the way. River Dune Campground in Huron-Manistee, Michigan | The River Dune Campground is a small, quiet site set back from the road. Although trails are not groomed in the winter, the area is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Water levels can become fairly shallow during dry summer months. It will be the longest, continuous hiking trail in the United States. Dispersed Camping - Manistee National Forest. Hike the stairway down to the wanigan, a loggers floating kitchen, or take the short trail to the dune observation deck. The river has many bends and large logs. No reservations. 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. There are small openings scattered throughout the corridor that provide habitat diversity for many species of wildlife. 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. Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. There is a short, interpretive hiking trail from the campground through the surrounding the forest. You don’t need experience to canoe the Manistee River, there are no dangerous rapids and it … Brochure with map:  This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. This area covers all recreation areas along M-37 between White Cloud and Baldwin. Old Grade Campground is completely surrounded by federal land. This section contains information on the sites located in the southern section of the Huron National Forest. Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River, Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=18672&actid=31, Huron-Manistee National Forests Issuing Free Firewood Permits Through Mail, MI-DNR "Do Not Eat" Advisory - Deer taken within 5 miles of Clarks Marsh, Advisory DO NOT EAT FISH- Au Sable River from Foote Dam to L. Huron/Clarks Marsh, Don't Move Firewood! Depending on the time of year you take this hike, a sizable waterfall will appear by … Public access points, campgrounds and trailheads, road access, etc. No RV hook-ups are available for water, sewage or electric at any campground. This area is also within the Manistee River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area, a 7,900 acre area of the Forest. Closest canoe rental is on Manistee River Road or M-72 Bridge. Camping, fishing and boating facilities are accessible from the byway. Mesick Wildlife Sanctuary. Dispersed and Primitive tent camping within the Forests is allowed almost anywhere, unless otherwise posted closed and/or "No Camping". The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. The Little Manistee River offers many opportunities for steelhead and trout fishing. The river is wide and characterized by steep banks and sharp bends, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends. Wildlife abounds and fishing is a popular activity. The trail system is marked with orange confidence markers. This area includes Corsair Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing Trail, Sand Lake Day Use Area, Round Lake Campground and Tuttle Marsh. Good for canoeing, kayaking, boating, or excellant fishing. 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