Manistee National Recreation River
The Manistee River between Tippy Dam and the M-55 Bridge was designated as a National Recreational River in 1996. The river is wide and characterized by steep banks and sharp bends, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends.
The river corridor supports a wide variety of recreational activities throughout the year, including hiking on the North Country National Scenic Trail and Manistee River Trail.
In the fall, hunters come from all over to take advantage of the abundant white-tailed deer, waterfowl and small game hunting available along the river.
Anglers are lured by the annual salmon and steelhead runs, as well as brown trout, smallmouth bass and walleye. However, salmon season is particularly busy on the river.
Backwater bayous, extensive riparian areas and mature forest communities provide habitat for a diverse number of wildlife species. The lower Manistee River is considered to be the most extensive and least disturbed remnant of true red-shouldered hawk habitat in the state.
Click here for more information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Brochure with map:
This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. 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.
Flickr Photo Albums
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted. |
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Rentals & Guides: | Watercraft Rentals -
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Fees: | Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use -
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Permit Info: | Special Use Permit -
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Open Season: | January 1 - December 31 |
Usage: | Light |
Restrictions: | Manistee River Corridor Camping -
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Closest Towns: | Wellston, Manistee, Mesick, Brethren |
Operated By: | Cadillac Manistee Ranger District - (231) 577-8902 |
Information Center: | Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station |
General Information
General Notes:County - Manistee
Activities
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- Government Landing
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
No camping within a 1/4 mile of the river, except at designated campgrounds and sites.
Blacksmith Bayou is a 6 site campground on an oxbow lake left from an old river channel along the Manistee River.
Manistee River Primitive Camping - there are 3 sites at Blacksmith Bayou and 4 at Red Bridge.
Sawdust Hole is an 8 site campground with a steep trail down to the Manistee River.
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:- Bear Creek River Access Site
- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- Government Landing
- High Bridge Access Site
- Rainbow Bend Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
- Suicide Bend Fishing Site
- Tunk Hole River Access Site
Fishing Mode | Boat, Shore, Wade |
Special Designations | National Recreational River |
Fish Species | Salmon, Steelhead, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Sucker |
Fishing Platform | No |
Cleaning Station | No |
Accessible Platform | No |
Water Temperature | Cold |
Fishing Method | Fly, Pole |
Ice Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Ice Fishing:Fish Species | Salmon, Steelhead, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Sucker |
Special Designations | National Recreation River |
Fishing Mode | Boat, Shore, Wade |
Fishing Platform | No |
Cleaning Station | No |
Accessible Platform | No |
Fishing Method | Pole, Tip-up, Spearing |
Water/Flow Level | n/a |
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- High Bridge Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- High Bridge Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
Both the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Manistee River Trail can be accessed from different sites along the Manistee River. Visit those pages for more information.
Disc Golf
Recreation areas with activity Disc Golf:Udell Roleways has an 18 hole course designed to professional standards.
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:- Bear Creek River Access Site
- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- High Bridge Access Site
- Rainbow Bend Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
- Udell Rollways Day Use Area
All of the sites listed have picnic tables available. Udell Rollways has a pavilion for larger groups.
Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:- Bear Creek River Access Site
- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- Government Landing
- High Bridge Access Site
- Rainbow Bend Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
Trailer Parking | Yes |
Class of rapids | 0 |
Size Restrictions | 0 - 25 Feet |
Type of Craft | Fishing Boats, Bass Boats, Dinghies, Electric Boats, Flat Boats, Jon Boats |
Motor Type | Gas, Electric |
Fuel availability | No |
Marina/Mooring | No |
Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:- Bear Creek River Access Site
- Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
- High Bridge Access Site
- Rainbow Bend Access Site
- Red Bridge River Access Site
- Sawdust Hole River Access
The river is wide, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends.
Float Times -
- Hodenpyl to Red Bridge: 3.5-4 hours
- Red Bridge to Government Landing: 2-2.5 hours
- Government Landing to High Bridge: 4 hours
- High Bridge to Blacksmith Bayou: 20 minutes
- Blacksmith Bayou to Bear Creek: 3.5 hours
- Bear Creek to Rainbow Bend: 45 minutes
- Rainbow Bend to M-55/Manistee: 4 hours
Trailer Parking | Yes |
Class of rapids | 0 |
Size Restrictions | None |
Type of Craft | Canoe, Kayak |