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The access site at Bear Track Campground off Riverside Drive
By Joan Young, MCP Contributor
It is supposedly possible to paddle 51 miles of the Little Manistee River. However, it is difficult to get reliable information about most of that distance. This article is an attempt to help fill that gap.
The river originates in Lake County, southeast of the village of Luther. The farthest-upstream access is at Old Grade Campground just west of M-37 north of 4 ½-Mile Road: 44.06055, -85.849987. However, reports of the stretch between Old Grade and Spencer bridge indicate that the water is very shallow and there are many obstacles and blow-downs. Spencer Bridge access is near the crossing of North Peacock Trail. A side road leads to parking, a latrine, and the stairs to the river at 44.068315, -85.885447. From there until 9-Mile Bridge on Skocelas Road, the waterway is shallow and winding. There are almost certain to be areas where you may need to portage around debris. The paddling is not particularly dangerous, but expect to put in some effort with navigation through turns and working around logs and obstructions. There are few legal places to camp through this portion. There are about 12 river miles from Old Grade to Fox Bridge.
Where Bass Lake Road crosses the Little Manistee, at Fox Bridge, there is a Department of Natural Resources access site that is not marked “No Camping:” 44.119564, -85.982447. Clearly, people have camped there. Across West River Road is the Elk Township Hall with a porta-potty and picnic tables.
There are 17 river miles from Fox Bridge to the next known established camping which is the National Forest Bear Track Campground. The access point is in the group site: 44.149413, -86.031714. Note that Old Grade and Bear Track close from approximately October 15 to May 15. A paddler could probably camp there off the river late fall to spring, but outhouses are locked and potable water unavailable.
There are two additional legal put-ins in the upper section—one at Indian Bridge (Irons Rd, parking, latrine, stairs to river): 44.089552, -85.904679, and the other at the Johnson Road Bridge: 44.105515, -85.927353, where there are access stairs provided by a coalition of several groups. However, no parking is possible, so a drop-off would need to be arranged.
The stairs for river access at Indian Bridge (not the one on the Pere Marquette), but at Irons Rd.
No float times are known for these upper sections, but because of the slow water and twisty route, they can be assumed to be fairly slow.
There are nine more river miles from Bear Track to 9-Mile Bridge. This section is pleasant and easy paddling. The most difficult section of the river is from 9-Mile Bridge to 6-Mile Bridge. Several paddlers report that it is not technically challenging, but the water is fast, and it’s probably not a place to take the kids. 9-Mile Bridge is federal and has good parking.
Float times are: from 9-Mile to 6-Mile: 2.5 hours, 6-Mile to the Manistee Weir: 1 hour, Weir to Old Stronach Road: 2.5 hours, Old Stronach to Stronach Park: 1 hour, the Park to Lake Michigan: 2.5 hours.
From 9-Mile Bridge to the Weir, much of the river is within the National Forest. Designated camping areas exist, but nothing is marked except 6-Mile Bridge where there is parking, but no camping. Chicago Boy Rollway is one such designated campsite. It is also accessible from North River Road at 44.185457, -86.171414. The river is in a deep valley at this point, so expect a climb from the river to the site.
Other campsites which are named but which I was not able to verify are at these approximate locations:
Hopper: 44.171906, -86.119712 north bank
Elm Flats: 44.170954, -86.126027 south bank
9-Mile Road: 44.177707, -86.145984 north bank
Bowman Farm: 44.176014, -86.148817 south bank
Gravel Pit: 44.178670, -86.153908 north bank
North Lodge: 44.183670, -86.169863 unknown bank
Chicago Boy Rollway: exact location 44.185457, -86.171414 north bank
There is public camping at the Manistee Weir.
Between the Weir and Stronach is a highly popular section of river. This is family-friendly and easy. Commercial outfitters service the area.
About four miles of flatwater paddling are required on Manistee Lake to reach the channel to Lake Michigan. About 1.5 miles remain to the mouth of the Little Manistee and Manistee Rivers, the Manistee Light, public parks and beaches. Keep in mind, these final miles are a commercial shipping channel.
There is a lot of federal land downstream of 9-Mile Bridge as far as the Weir. However, there are also numerous private lots along the river. One would need to have access to accurate landowner maps to find dispersed camping options. Additionally, in many places the banks are too high to be able to exit the river with a kayak.
Cell service along the river varies from spotty to non-existent. Consider finding a mapping app that does not require cell service to pinpoint your location.
Good paddlers can navigate the entire river in three days. Several trips with shorter mileages could easily be planned.
Recreation Passports are required at all DNR access points and the federal pass at National Forest sites. It is also possible to purchase day passes.
The mouth of both the Little Manistee and Manistee Rivers at the Manistee Light.
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