The lack of designated campsites along Michigan rivers is a real shame. For most paddlers, the sites don't have to be developed, just marked as OK to camp, whether public or private land. Michigan has even closed some state campgrounds along the Manistee. You can still camp there, you just have to know where because they aren't marked in any way.
It helps to know the rules for dispersed camping in the state and national forests.. you usually need to pair that with a gps app that has land ownership overlay to avoid those pesky trespassing charges, which will usually cost you money (the charges and the app). I do agree with you though, for the amount of riverfront we have in our national forest in MI, there should be endless ways to find easy camping options..
Every second pushed upstream is a moment to reflect upon what you've seen. I live in Northern Michigan, take your time to enjoy the trip, don't rush it. Don't rush it. Don't rush it. Do not rush it. You want to go spend time spending time in civilization calling cabs I get it. But do not under appreciate the rivers in our great State; which you clearly have done.
Haha I’m sorry that was your perspective, there is no under appreciation from me ever. We had been on the river for three days.. not rushing anything. On the last day we experienced over 20 mph headwinds off Lake Michigan which actually pushed us upstream when we rested. Justin also had half a paddle by like ten AM. We were already well past the time we allotted ourselves to be on the river that day, and we were exhausted. Before the situation actually turned dangerous, we decided to pull over before paddling on to Lake Manistee. Because our original ride was over an hour away, we just decided to call a cab! No shame or under appreciation here. Just couldn’t beat Mother Nature that day..
Looks like a great trip. My Son and i have only have red bridge to lake Michigan to do to complete the total Manistee river. Finding car shuttles are aways the tough part. can you remember who you called and how much they charged. That would be great to have someone pick us up with a trailer to get back to red bridge. Thanks
I think we called Manistee Cab Company. I am not sure if the trailer was an actual service they provide, or if they just did us a favor on this day.. The driver kind of mentioned it was something they were going to try out. it would be worth calling ahead if you are going to plan on this.. I do believe we payed a little extra and tried to leave a nice tip as well, maybe 40 or 50 bucks total. Otherwise one of the area canoe liveries would provide this service I bet.. pine river paddlesport center might be worth a call.
Check with Bosman's (on the corner of 55/37) or Horina's (just to the south, on 37). I do believe both will pick up your vehicle and then "spot it" where you want to get out, when you want to get out. I do believe that both will take you (leaving your vehicle at their place) and pick you up. This summer, the wife and I rented a canoe from Bosman's, hauled it ourselves...put in at Hodenpyl and got out at Tippy Dam. We had the luxury of having a friend of ours at Coho Bend (down river...family has been there since the late 70's) that could drop us off and pick us up. Last month, we took my boat up there, put in at Loomis Landing (on Tippy) and just went out and found a spot for the weekend. The only reason we went there is because of over-night parking. The launch is...sketchy!!! Not bad for my little 16 footer though. We took out at the state launch though, across the bay...way better!
If it's not too late... The best part of the river is from Hodenpyl down to Tippy. The last 2-ish miles is a little dull in comparison, along with the rest of the river beyond Tippy. There is a put-in right at the dam, but there's another, just a little bit down river(maybe 1/4 mile, if even that...check out the Google mpas!). You can get a lot closer, so you don't have to carry stuff as far and it's a lot less crowded. The wife, I, and the dog spent about 6 hours getting to Tippy, including a 45/hr lunch stop. That was without paddling ourselves along...just drifting with the current. There's an excellent camp spot on the left, just as you get into Tippy. NOBODY else in sight! From there, it's a 6 mile paddle to Tippy dam...and it SUCKS with a 25-30 mph headwind!
For this trip we actually had to call a taxi. We got lucky that there is an actual cab company in Manistee. They were kind enough to bring their van with a trailer attached and brought our kayaks back to the car with us!
Looks fantastic! 🤘
It’s always amazing! Thanks for the comments!!
Hodenpyle to Tippy is one of my favorite stretches on the Manistee. Some great camping spots.
It’s incredible 🙌
The lack of designated campsites along Michigan rivers is a real shame. For most paddlers, the sites don't have to be developed, just marked as OK to camp, whether public or private land. Michigan has even closed some state campgrounds along the Manistee. You can still camp there, you just have to know where because they aren't marked in any way.
It helps to know the rules for dispersed camping in the state and national forests.. you usually need to pair that with a gps app that has land ownership overlay to avoid those pesky trespassing charges, which will usually cost you money (the charges and the app). I do agree with you though, for the amount of riverfront we have in our national forest in MI, there should be endless ways to find easy camping options..
Big like another awsome river trip. I love Manastee. Especially the house of flavours and thier Super pig trough.
It’s a wonderful place!!
Every second pushed upstream is a moment to reflect upon what you've seen. I live in Northern Michigan, take your time to enjoy the trip, don't rush it. Don't rush it. Don't rush it. Do not rush it. You want to go spend time spending time in civilization calling cabs I get it. But do not under appreciate the rivers in our great State; which you clearly have done.
Haha I’m sorry that was your perspective, there is no under appreciation from me ever. We had been on the river for three days.. not rushing anything. On the last day we experienced over 20 mph headwinds off Lake Michigan which actually pushed us upstream when we rested. Justin also had half a paddle by like ten AM. We were already well past the time we allotted ourselves to be on the river that day, and we were exhausted. Before the situation actually turned dangerous, we decided to pull over before paddling on to Lake Manistee. Because our original ride was over an hour away, we just decided to call a cab! No shame or under appreciation here. Just couldn’t beat Mother Nature that day..
Beautiful place 👍🏼 😎
That looks a good place to fish🎣 😃
Great place to fish! Tippy is an ultimate fish/camp destination.
@@BRUjank Oh nice! man I really love that kind of place, having a body of water like that, where I can fish all day. 👍🏼
Awesome video stay safe
Thank you! We will!
Great trip! The wind can definitely ruin an otherwise good paddle!
Looks like a great trip. My Son and i have only have red bridge to lake Michigan to do to complete the total Manistee river. Finding car shuttles are aways the tough part. can you remember who you called and how much they charged. That would be great to have someone pick us up with a trailer to get back to red bridge. Thanks
I think we called Manistee Cab Company. I am not sure if the trailer was an actual service they provide, or if they just did us a favor on this day.. The driver kind of mentioned it was something they were going to try out. it would be worth calling ahead if you are going to plan on this.. I do believe we payed a little extra and tried to leave a nice tip as well, maybe 40 or 50 bucks total.
Otherwise one of the area canoe liveries would provide this service I bet.. pine river paddlesport center might be worth a call.
@@BRUjank Thanks for taking the time to reply. Adventure ON!
No doubt, you guys will have a blast! We just did the stretch out to Lake Michigan a few weeks ago!
Check with Bosman's (on the corner of 55/37) or Horina's (just to the south, on 37). I do believe both will pick up your vehicle and then "spot it" where you want to get out, when you want to get out. I do believe that both will take you (leaving your vehicle at their place) and pick you up.
This summer, the wife and I rented a canoe from Bosman's, hauled it ourselves...put in at Hodenpyl and got out at Tippy Dam. We had the luxury of having a friend of ours at Coho Bend (down river...family has been there since the late 70's) that could drop us off and pick us up.
Last month, we took my boat up there, put in at Loomis Landing (on Tippy) and just went out and found a spot for the weekend. The only reason we went there is because of over-night parking. The launch is...sketchy!!! Not bad for my little 16 footer though. We took out at the state launch though, across the bay...way better!
@@fermiticus4034 Thanks for the information
Ima have to hit this with my gf next summer !!
You will both love it. It’s amazing.
If it's not too late...
The best part of the river is from Hodenpyl down to Tippy. The last 2-ish miles is a little dull in comparison, along with the rest of the river beyond Tippy.
There is a put-in right at the dam, but there's another, just a little bit down river(maybe 1/4 mile, if even that...check out the Google mpas!). You can get a lot closer, so you don't have to carry stuff as far and it's a lot less crowded. The wife, I, and the dog spent about 6 hours getting to Tippy, including a 45/hr lunch stop. That was without paddling ourselves along...just drifting with the current. There's an excellent camp spot on the left, just as you get into Tippy. NOBODY else in sight! From there, it's a 6 mile paddle to Tippy dam...and it SUCKS with a 25-30 mph headwind!
How did you get back to the car
For this trip we actually had to call a taxi. We got lucky that there is an actual cab company in Manistee. They were kind enough to bring their van with a trailer attached and brought our kayaks back to the car with us!