Manistee Overnighter

• The weather will be best between late May and early October. Riding in April or early May is doable, but temps can drop significantly at night. Foliage won’t be in full swing until the beginning of June. Mosquitoes, flies, and ticks can be a nuisance in June and July. 
• Ride in late September or early October for vibrant fall colors.
• The route starts and ends in the public parking area of Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. It cost $5 per day to use the Wilderness Area, paid via self-serve, cash kiosk. Even though you aren’t using the wilderness area while on the route, it’s best to pay while parked there. Bring a pen to fill out the payment slip.
• The small, dirt parking lot is usually full. Overflow parking is available on Nuremberg road as you pull up to the parking lot (south side of the road only, as you’ll see on the signs). 
• Vault toilets are available at the parking lot.
• I rode this route on a hybrid bike with 35mm tires. Larger tires aren’t necessary, as the gravel roads are relatively smooth and easygoing. Some sections can get sandy and may require a short walk. 
• Hang a bear bag when camping, both on the route and at Nordhouse Dunes, as both bears and raccoons call the forest home.

• You can camp at Nordhouse Dunes (the starting point) either the night before or the night after your route, which is highly recommended. It’s a 1.6 mile hike from the parking lot to the primitive beach camping area, but you can’t bring your bike on the trail. If camping here, it’s best to bring a car that fits your bike inside, though the risk of theft out here is very low. 
• At Nordhouse Dunes, you can camp anywhere, as long as you are 400 feet away from the water.
• Camping next to the Little Manistee River is only permitted in designated National Forest campsites. They are plentiful along the river, free, and first-come, first-serve. They are primitive, offering no amenities. Otherwise, you can camp anywhere in the National Forest, as long as you are at least 200 feet away from the river.
• Campsites are mostly located on a bluff overlooking the river. If you want to camp near the banks, check out the Hopper Junction Campsite, which is where the photos of my campsite were taken. 
• Some campsites are located adjacent to private land, so be mindful when exploring. 
• The gravel roads are sparsely traveled. However, always listen for vehicles. They often drive fast, since they don’t expect anyone else on the roads, either. 

• Water is available in the town of Manistee, as well as various rural gas stations on or near the route. You can filter water from the Little Manistee River as well. I was comfortable carrying only 1.5 liters of water, but you may want more during the summer.
• Plan to stop for food in the town of Manistee. If you start the route heading north, you can grab brunch on your way to camp. The Filmore is excellent, offering sandwiches, burgers, and wood-fired pizza. Or try Cafe 1907 for classic breakfast fare. Grab a coffee to go at The Outpost.
• Don’t want to sit inside and eat? Order to go and ride down to Lake Michigan for a picnic with a view, only 1 mile from downtown Manistee.
• If you start the route headed east, you’ll hit Manistee on day two, where you can stop at North Channel Brewing Co for beer, craft cocktails, and dinner before finishing up the route. But be careful, you’ll still have about 17 miles to ride back to the car. 
• Celebrate a successful ride with ice cream at Upper Hamlin Grocery, open seasonally from June thru September. Located on Nuremberg Rd, it’s six miles from the start/end point. You can also stock up on cold beer for your camp at Nordhouse Dunes. 

70% of the Manistee Overnighter traverses gravel roads, which are primarily used by the forest service. They are wide and easy to ride, with very little traffic.

If you start the route heading north to Manistee, you’ll ride for about 15 miles on gravel before reaching town. You’ll pass one creek on the way if you need to filter water. When in town, consider stopping at First Street Beach for a brisk swim. 

After you’ve had your fill in town, you’ll ride through neighborhoods for a few miles until you reach the river corridor, which is the best part of the ride. Here you’ll enjoy miles and miles of forested gravel roads with the occasional glimpse of the river, before finally setting up camp.

The next day, you’ll start moving away from the river and will be treated to 3 short but very sweet singletrack miles on the North Country National Scenic Trail. Most of the gravel roads on the south section ride through farmland before finally returning to Nuremberg Rd, the final stretch back to your car. 

Rideability – most of the gravel roads are rideable, though some sections get a bit sandy and require a short walk.

Additional Resources

• Little Manistee River Information –fs.usda.gov
• Nordhouse Dunes information – fs.usda.gov
• Big M Recreation Area information (optional singletrack) – visitmanisteecounty.com
• NCT Trail Chapter – northcountrytrail.org