This is a great remote location for a for a short weekend backpacking. Located only few hours drive from detroit and chicago, is almost completely devoid and isolated from civilization. Camping is allowed almost anywhere on the island except within 300 feet of the. North or south manitou island empire forum tripadvisor. North manitou island hiking project hiking trail maps. North manitou island is the more hiker friendly of the two manitou islands, with south manitou island being more for camping and large groups. About 100 miles of island trails one two separate islands. Aug 10, 20 north manitou is the more primitive of the two islands. The ferry only runs certain times, so some planning is necessary. As trekkers, campers have the opportunity to backpack around beautiful north manitou island in lake michigan. Visitors enjoy hiking the dune topography, playing in turquoise waves, spying island flora and fauna, exploring the village and ghost towns, seeking out inland lakes, hearing the stories of its people, and learning the island s history. Camping on north manitou island sleeping bear dunes. Isle royale information, trip journals and backpacking links.
Manitou island transit offers you a variety of ways to experience the beauty of the manitou passage. Easy, well marked, shaded trails where we went on north end of the island. These fees can be paid upon checkin in the manitou island transit ticket office before you get on the boat. Backpacking michigans north manitou island actionhub. Fifteen thousand acres of wilderness floating in the sparkling waters of lake michigan, north manitou island offers visitors a primitive experience emphasizing solitude, a feeling of selfreliance, and a sense of exploration. North manitou island 34 day backpacking trip advice. Fires are permitted in the community fire rings at the village campground. North manitou island offers 15,000 acres of wilderness with a visitor use concept that emphasizes solitude, selfreliance and a sense of exploration. North manitou island wilderness camping realest nature. Manitou island transit provides regular ferry service to both islands for campers. North manitou island is managed as wilderness with the exception of a 27 acre 11 hectare area around the village. South manitou island trail map and guide classic trails of michigan map series part of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore, south manitou island is located 18 miles west of leland and is the southernmost island of a lake michigan archipelago that stretches northeast to the straits of mackinac and includes north manitou island and beaver.
If you venture to north manitou island, plan to camp overnight. There youll find pristine beaches, gigantic sand dunes, moderate hiking trails, and inland lakes full of fish. Once youre settled in, soak in the sights lake michigan from the bluffs on the south side of the island. The smaller south manitou island lies to its southwest. The island is almost entirely covered in forests but offers. North manitou island is part of the sleeping bear national lakeshore. If youre looking for an exciting hiking trip or vacation, look no further than north manitou island and leland, michigan. North manitou island is located in lake michigan, approximately 12 miles 19 km westnorthwest of leland, michigan. The feeling of exploring a remote island, far away from crowds, makes hiking on the manitou islands in lake michigan a hikers paradise.
Weekend backpacking in michigan north manitou island in. It is a special area because it is designated backcountry. Both part of the sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore they attracted thousands of visitors a year. Visiting the island is a primitive experience emphasizing solitude, a feeling of selfreliance and a sense of exploration. North manitou island 34 day backpacking trip advice reddit.
Camping on north manitou island offers solitude and a wild beauty to those who venture across lake michigan to its austere shores. About 20 miles west of leland, michigan sit north and south manitou islands. Download free north manitou island mi usgs topo maps. North manitou island hiking sleeping bear dunes national. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and backpacking. Things to do on north manitou island solitude sports. It is nearly eight miles long and over four miles 6 km wide, with 20 miles 32 km of shoreline. My suggestion to you is to plan your visit to north. North manitou island outer loop michigan alltrails. To get there requires a ferry ride, an overnight stay, and planning. When it comes to the idea of a dream vacation, most of us imagine ourselves. Hiking north manitou island and visiting leland the.
Visitors enjoy hiking the dune topography, playing in turquoise waves, spying island flora and fauna, exploring the. Their hike took so much longer than planned that bobs mother called the coast guard in panic. Backpacking north manitou island great lakes explorer. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, bird watching, and backpacking. A beginners guide to backpacking michigans manitou islands as a lifelong michigan resident ive enjoyed my share of memorable camping trips, but it wasnt until i spent a weekend on north manitou island that i realized there was a side to camping i never knew existed. North manitou island sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. This area of the island is known as the cable box because it apparently is where telephone lines joined an underwater cable that linked the north and south manitou islands to the mainland source.
My point of view, personal memoir of a north manitou lightkeepers stepson. North manitou island village campground, sleeping bear dunes. With that in mind, visitors often ask, what are the things to do on north manitou island. At south manitou weather station campground view campground map here, sites are tentonly. We will talk about the efforts to keep quality habitat for the piping plover, an endangered shorebird that nests on the sandy beaches of north manitou island.
Lake manitou is located near the center of the island and is roughly one mile long from north to south and of a mile wide. The highest point on north manitou, nearly 1,000 feet, is located in the island s rugged northwest corner. North manitou island is part of the national park services sleeping bear national lakeshore. Officially, designated a wilderness, and a part of the national park, is an ideal place for a backpacking. To get to the island, you will need to book tickets and take the ferry run by manitou.
South manitou island the weather station campground, sleeping. Cruise to south manitou island and explore and experience the island s beauty and history. Located in lake michigan, north manitou is wild, isolated, and remote, qualities that make it the premiere destination for backpackers in michigans lower peninsula. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from may until october.
This and lake manitou were our water sources for 27 people. More than just transportation, the 11mile ferry ride from leland sets the mood for visitors arriving at the north manitou island. My first experiences backpacking for more than a simple overnight trip came during my elementary through high school years i spent attending summer camp in michigan. Park trails, trailheads, picnic areas, parking areas, and boat launches. North manitou island, part of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore, offers a remote and unforgettable multiday backpacking trip. Having been settled in the early 20th century, the island still has several remnants of its old villages. Pathfinder 2020 backpacking on north manitou island june 21 27, 2020. Circumnavigate a wilderness island on this 15mile loop on north manitou island. Jul 27, 2015 hollister is the only remaining private residence on north manitou island. North manitou island hiking high adventure trip 2007 june 12 16, 2007 the high adventure outing for 2007 was a backpacking trip on north manitou island. The north manitou island trail map 300 kb shows the campgrounds, trails, and points of interest across the island radiating out from the village dock. I was slightly nervous and my pack was ridiculously heavy for such a short trip.
I hikedin and stayed at a campsite on a bluff overlooking the lake near the old crescent dock which is basically now just two old posts in the water there was a beautiful beach all along this side of the island. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share. Dont do a fire outside of campground also camp at least 300 feet from water as instructed by rangers they literally come around with measuring tape and check it. The management works very hard to make sure the community is running the best software. The small village campground contains eight designated campsites, two fire rings and one outhouse. North manitou island between sunrise and sunset, book crafters, 1991. North manitou island map sleeping bear dunes national. Mar 21, 2018 the feeling of exploring a remote island, far away from crowds, makes hiking on the manitou islands in lake michigan a hikers paradise.
May 24, 20 michigans north manitou island offers visitors the ability to hike, backpack, camp, and swim, including backwoods camping not available on south manitou island. Know before you come planning your trip packing list nmi backcountry regulations. The michigan portion of the trail is 1,105 miles and begins at pittsford near the. After a little over 10 years since my last trip to north manitou island, i recently had the opportunity to return for a 3 day trip with my adventuring partner, my daughter, izzy if youre not familiar, north manitou is one of 2 islands the other beingsouth manitou. We will discuss a number of issues that are germane to this area. There is a limit of two tents and four people per site. This summer, come have a real wilderness adventure with us on north manitou island. Officially, designated a wilderness, and a part of the national park, is an ideal place for a backpacking trip.
Hey boys n gals, some friends and i want to plan a 34 night backpacking trip on north manitou island. Continue south to 300foot shoreline bluffs and, on a clear day, spot the mainlands sleeping bear dunes. North manitou is the more primitive of the two islands. But overall, the terrain is gentle on north manitou and most backpackers will find the hiking is level and easy. Judsons connection to north manitou island is not known. Had time for a quick dip to clean up after all hard slog the day before to our campsite. Camping on north manitou island offers solitude and a wild beauty and nights listening to lapping waves. Jan 17, 2018 the highest point on north manitou, nearly 1,000 feet, is located in the islands rugged northwest corner.
Catch the ferry boat to the south and north manitou islands, both part of sleeping bear. But if you want to go on a backpacking trip go to the north island. Visitors enjoy hiking the dune topography, playing in turquoise waves, spying island. He was probably involved in land speculation, being employed as a land looker according to a report in an 1868 issue of the traverse city herald, appraising land in antrim and charlevoix counties, but there is no record of his ever having been on north manitou island. They left the shore in glen arbor early one morning to attempt the crossing, but were cut off by open water a mile from north manitou island. Documents provided in digital formats can be viewed using the free software. The hewitt cottage was built in 1895 or 1896 and was sold a few years later to the rhoades family, who built this. There are several important rules you have to follow while backcountry camping on north manitou island. At mile five, pass the apple orchards and abandoned homes of an 1800s farm town. My destination was south manitou island, one of two islands within sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore.
For hikers who want a challenge, a new program has been developed by two. It is part of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore and is accessible by a ferry. North manitou island is located eight miles off the coast of the sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. Aug 12, 2017 a 4day backpacking trip on north manitou island. Thats your trip to south manitou island weather station campground in a nutshell. Northern michigan hiking, backpacking, and kayaking novi. The primary visitor activities include hiking, swimming, backcountry camping and backpacking. Manitou lakes share tranquility is a detailed feature that looks at florence lake on south manitou, which is home to just 4 species of fish. Did a couple of days backpacking on island with my 11 year old. Feb 08, 2017 at mile three, sidehike to the islands highpoint 1,001 feet. Print out a map of north manitou island below and plan your hike in. South manitou island lighthouse is located on south manitou island in lake michigan, 16 miles west of leland, michigan. Hiking at north manitou island and sleeping bear dunes. Click here to order a detailed map and a guide to north manitou island.
Hiking trail near manitou lake on north manitou island regulations. Finally, we got to the north manitou island dock at 12. The weather forecast had improved over the week, and i was looking forward to reaching the island the following day and hiking for the first time since september. Jul 24, 2012 sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. Mar 08, 2018 north manitou island is a very unique place.
The island swallows backpackers with plenty of room to spread out. With one day on north you will not have time to do much hiking nor really get a feel for the island. We could also see south manitou island in the distance. Cdac programs help build self confidence and self esteem, promote teamwork and develop leadership. More than half of the people disembarked on south manitou, and we only took few new passengers from there. Hollister is the only remaining private residence on north manitou island. The highest point on the island is in the northwest corner and is 1,001 feet 305 m above sea level or 421 feet 128 m above lake michigan.
The manitou islands are a part of the sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore. Be sure to check out things to do on north manitou island as well as things to see on north manitou island backpacking north manitou island. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. The island is almost entirely covered in forests, but offers incredible views of lake michigan from the shoreline. A beginners guide to backpacking michigans manitou islands as a lifelong michigan resident ive enjoyed my share of memorable camping trips, but it wasnt until i spent a weekend on north manitou island that i realized there was a side to camping. We passed close to the north manitou shoal lighthouse. A short time later we came to a path that headed west toward lake manitou. North manitou island is an island in lake michigan about 12 miles off the shore from leland, mi. The 15,000 acres of north manitou island are managed as a wilderness area, with the exception of the village. North manitou island lies in lake michigan about 12 miles northwest of the small, northern michigan town of leland. Print out a map of north manitou island below and plan your hike in advance. North manitou island hipcamp camping on private land.
How to survive alone in the wilderness for 1 week eastern woodlands duration. South and north manitou island daytrips only go to sout. A beginners guide to backpacking michigans manitou. Weekend backpacking trips include the porcupine mountains, pictured rocks, manistee river trail, jordan valley trail, north manitou island, north. In the 1970s, bobs father and two brothers had attempted to cross the manitou passage. North manitou island, michigan topographic map and nearby trails. Our newest waterproof map this map covers north and south manitou, a pair of lake michigan islands that are part of sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore and reached by ferry service from leland. Hiking to north manitou island andrew pritchard roads. North manitou island, part of the sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore, is approximately eight miles long, four miles wide, and boasts 20 miles of lakeshore. And its downright tropical in high summer, raves backpacker map contributor stuart peck. Rosterman, christine j, pesano, john and rusco, rita h. It was another great, relaxing backpacking trip to the island north manitou island is beginning to become my favorite weekend backpacking destination in michigan and if you have not visited it yet.
Most of the entire area is available for hiking, camping and exploration. Hiking north manitou island, sights, sounds and history vhs video hesperia, mi 2000. The red outline on the map below identifies the boundaries of the north manitou island topo map. Located 8 miles offshore from lake michigans sleeping bear dunes, north manitou island is a great destination for those looking for a wilderness experience without actually being too distant from civilization. I was curious to ask those who have been there, whats the best way to go about backpacking and seeing the most the island has to offer. A backcountry permit and fee payment must be completed before camping, you can obtain a map of the island and hiking trails when you obtain your permit. Park trails, trailheads, picnic areas, parking areas, and boat launches closed. Overnight ymca summer camps for girls seventh eighth graders. More than just transportation, the 11mile ferry ride from leland sets the mood for visitors. Jul 18, 2011 my first solo backpacking trip was hastily planned and threatened by a forbidding, thunderstormy forecast. Weekend backpacking in michigan north manitou island in the. Beginner backpack on north manitou island, michigan.
100 655 655 143 400 1031 601 1336 1053 1020 458 395 1576 1158 1639 1140 288 633 336 1507 1610 1057 268 1379 899 1052 1417 1339 724 1444 509 692 132 1000 340 1006 1439 1261 1332 199 1480 383 362