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:

• Manistee River
• Manistee River Trail
• Disc Golf Course 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

• Manistee River
• Manistee River Trail