Venture into Manistee’s trails where every turn reveals the magic of forest, dune, and shore.
Venture into Manistee’s Trails
When I was a kid, going “Up North” meant going to the woods west of Manistee. My parents would haul us kids in a big ole station wagon (think Clark Griswold’s family truckster) to my Aunt and Uncle’s camp. We’d spend a few days roaming the pines and picking blueberries. A run into Manistee to visit Lake Michigan was always on the docket.
Fast forward to this summer, when Brenda signed up for a rug hooking conference in Manistee, and I was elated to tag along. It was another chance to visit my old stomping grounds. We’ve adventured up this way a few times over the years. We had a go at the North Country Run, explored a few trails in Sleeping Bear, tasted spirits at Iron Fish Distillery, enjoyed fantastic pizza and beers at Stormcloud Brewing, and explored the treasures waiting in Benzie County. Now it was time to visit some old trails and try some new ones near Manistee. Who knows, we might even stop for a beer.
Green Point Dunes
My first adventure was about 30 miles north of Manistee at a little Nature Conservancy spot called Green Point Dunes. Just a half mile from M-22, the GPS directions took me to the trailhead. There is a white house across from the parking area, making it easy to find.
I was the only person on the trail. The morning was coolish for June, yet a perfect temp for hiking. While not a long trail (only 2 miles), it was a fabulous loop through the woods to the shore of Lake Michigan and back. The woods are primarily deciduous trees of birch, beech, and maple. Under this lush green canopy, I strolled, soaking in the primal calm that a forest can bring. Before I knew it, the woods gave way to the lake. A short jaunt down some stairs led to a sandy beach and a view that stretched for hazy miles.
Baldy Trail – Arcadia Dunes
After Green Point Dunes, I made my way a few miles south, stopping at the Baldy trailhead at Arcadia Dunes. The trailhead is right off M-22, just watch for the signs. Whenever I think of Arcadia Dunes, I think of Brenda and one of our earliest adventures when we went snowshoeing on these trails. It was the dead of winter, with gale-force winds threatening imminent frostbite.
This time around, the sun was bright and the temperature delightful. I opted for the longer 3-mile loop that rambles through a mixed forest of pine and hardwoods. After a few miles, a short and sandy stairway leads to the dunes. The wildflowers looked fantastic set amongst the sand. The only spoiler was a group that beat me to the lookout and proceeded to speak in elevated tones. Nothing spoils a great trail more than a bunch of chattering people. Hot tip: This area can get busy quickly in warm weather, so arrive early.
Bird Song
The most magical part of the Green Point and Arcadia Dune trails was the bird song. Many of these calls weren’t familiar, so I broke out the trusty Merlin app to put names to the voices. The chorus included American Redstart, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, and Eastern Towhee. Of course, the only bird that allowed me to photograph them was this disheveled little Easter Towhee who sat patiently in the tree while I switched lenses. All the while he sang and sang and sang. My foray into the woods also included encounters with a raccoon and a Pileated Woodpecker. Neither of these forest friends was willing to pose for the camera.
Manistee River Trail
The next day, I set off for the Manistee River Trail. Starting at the Seaton Creek campground, I followed the trail, which hugs close to the river’s edge as it winds its way toward Lake Michigan. This trail is mainly used by hikers looking to camp overnight within the Huron-Manistee National Forest. At first, this trail is little more than an overgrown deer path through heavy cover. Eventually, you break out into a wider trail with views of the river. After four miles out, I headed back the way I came. Be sure to keep an eye on the trail when you come back, as it would be easy to miss the trail when you cross the road near Hodenpyl Dam. Worst case, you can walk back on Hopenpyl Rd to McClish Rd, which will take you back to the Seaton Creek campground. Sadly, this area lacked the wealth of birdsong I’d encountered the day before. I chalked that up to a later morning start with the birds taking a post-breakfast nap.
Magoon Creek Nature Area
The following morning, after a light rain, I journeyed out to Magoon Creek Nature Area. Located just 5 miles south of Manistee, this is a great space for a nice (albeit short) walk. The main parking area is close to Lake Michigan, and the main appeal of this area is the water. However, on this soggy day, I had the place to myself. The trail system is short, but takes you through mixed forest along a fairly wide and sandy pathway. The beauty of this area on an early morning is plenty of birdsong. While none of the whipper snappers were willing to offer a photo opportunity, I very much enjoyed listening to their chatter as I sauntered down the trails.
North Country Trail – Freesoil trailhead
My final trail was an out-and-back walk on the North Country Trail starting at the Freesoil trailhead. Located about 22 miles southeast of Munising, this is the best trail for spending time with the trees. Once again, the morning was a bit damp, making the forest serene and inviting. Moving through a mix of oak, maple, and small pines, the trail is narrow and relatively flat. The usual chorus of birds and skittering small creatures kept me company. Because of its location, there was only one other person out on the trail with me, and I never saw them. This is the place to go if you want to bask in the beauty that only a walk in the woods can bring.
Manistee County Library
On top of tramping around on the trails, I stopped at the Manistee County Library. Opened in June 1905, the Manistee County Library is one of hundreds of libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie. There are several in Michigan, including the Ishpeming Library, where our friend Dianna Higgs Stampfler of Promote Michigan presented a fascinating history of Carnegie libraries in Michigan.
The Manistee County Library is a majestic building that provides a wealth of services to the community. They also have a prized collection of Bien Double Elephant Edition Audubon prints, which are bound into a book. You can find this book on the second floor of the library. They also have a “Great Colonial Clock” which was donated in 1925 by Lumberman Edward Buckly. The clock is still going strong, chiming every 15 minutes.
While You are near Manistee – Beers and Food
We didn’t spend all week in the woods or the library. Each evening, we made our way to a few local pubs for beverages and a great meal. The North Channel Brewing Co. (86 Washington St.) is located right downtown, just north of the Manistee River from River St (go figure). They’ve got tasty beers, great food, and a large, inviting space. Plus, if you are into pinball, they’ve got a couple of games in the back.
For a true up north bar experience, you can’t beat The Blue Slipper Tavern (8058 1st St, Onekama, MI) or The Painted Lady Saloon (723 Kosciusko St, Manistee, MI). The Blue Slipper is 12 miles north of Manistee in the little town of Onekama. The food, beverages, and service are fantastic. The Painted Lady has a fun locals vibe. Once again, the food and beverages are excellent and the service can’t be beat. Both places will make you feel right at home.
Experience Manistee
These walks near Manistee took me back in time, to the 12-year-old version of me who fell in love with the woods and fields near our home in Pinckney, Michigan. The bird song, the alluring scent of dried pine needles, the hushed footsteps on sand, Manistee has it all and more. Come on out and experience the gentle power of this place for yourself.
We’ve got a few more photos in our gallery. Be sure to drop in and take a look.
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