MANISTEE COUNTY, MI – These six trails have “off the charts levels of fall beauty,” according to Manistee Tourism.
All in Manistee County, these trails vary in difficulty, terrain and features, including views of Lake Michigan, dunes, the Manistee River and the Manistee National Forest.
As of early this week, both the coastal and inland areas of the county are in peak color. The visitors bureau highlights two fall color driving routes, which provide access to the featured trails.
RELATED: 2 fall color routes for Lake Michigan, inland scenic drives as peak approaches Up North
“Manistee County has no shortage of trails to explore,” visitors bureau official said. “Whether you hike or bike, we’ve selected six trails for you to experience this fall.”
Here they are:
Constructed in 1996, the Manistee River Suspension Bridge, known locally as the “Little Mac” Bridge, is 246-foot-long pedestrian bridge spanning 166 feet over the Manistee River downstream of the Hodenpyl Dam.USDA Forest Service | Travis Owens
Manistee River Trail & North Country Trail Loop
This loop trail is “one of the most picturesque locations in Manistee County,” according to Manistee Tourism.
The Manistee River Trail (MRT) and North Country Trail (NCT) Loop is about 20 miles long, looping around a section of the Big Manistee River in the Manistee National Forest.
However, the northern connection across the river, the Little Mac suspension bridge is closed through Nov. 11 for maintenance. That means adventurers can plan out-and-back routes along either the 11-mile river trail or the 9-mile section of the North Country National Scenic Trail that runs along the river.
Click here to find a map with access points and scenic spots along the route.
Old Baldy Dune towers 450 feet above Lake Michigan, offering spectacular views after a one-mile hike through the woods. The dune is part of the Arcadia Dunes: C.S. Mott Nature Preserve just north of Arcadia, Mich.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com
Old Baldy Trail
This beautiful trail system begins in dense hardwoods and leads out to dune bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan.
“This is a great place for a picnic or an outing with the family pet,” according to Manistee Tourism.
There are two places to see the splendor of Lake Michigan with fall color to the north and south. Either hike out to the top of Baldy Dune or take the path to the accessible overlook. Both will provide your fill of fall color and big water beauty.
RELATED: Dune towers 450 feet above Lake Michigan at end of 1-mile trail
Both trails start at the Arcadia Dunes Baldy Trailhead on M-22 just north of the Arcadia Scenic Turnout.
Click here to find a map.
RELATED: Lake Michigan overlook perches at end of accessible trail through dune backwoods
Glen Park & North Point Park
Spend a couple hours at these two parks in Onekama, both offering picturesque trails.
Glen Park, 8460 Fourth Ave., offers less than a mile of trails on either side of a creek with dispersed benches. The real treasure here is the Mineral Springs, “which have been said to hold healing properties,” according to Manistee Tourism.
The nearby North Point Park, 8001-8799 Greenway St. in Onekama, includes nearly two miles of trails. There‘s a paved accessible arboretum trail and an “All Abilities Garden” with interpretive signs in braille, English, Spanish, and Anishinaabemowin translations. There’s also a picnic area.
Click here to find a map.
A woman and her dog take in the view of Lake Michigan from atop the bluff at Magoon Creek Park in Filer Township, Mich., on Aug. 13, 2024.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com
Magoon Creek Natural Area
Fall color peeping with a freshwater sea backdrop? Yes, please.
Magoon Creek Natural Area, 2925 Red Apple Road in Filer Township, features nearly two miles of scenic trails on 97 acres atop a 150-foot Lake Michigan bluff.
Trails lead through the woods, along the bluff-top and down to the Lake Michigan beach.
RELATED: Peaceful Up North park has epic views of Lake Michigan
Click here to find a map of the trails and picnic areas.
Arboretum Trail near Wellston, Mich., is a 0.84-mile loop in the Manistee National Forest. It features 30 tree species planted during the 1940s in a tree-growing experiment. The trail has educational signage and benches. The trailhead has a picnic area.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com
Wellston Arboretum Trail
This short, easy trail meanders through a 1940s tree experiment with more than 30 species sure to be showing off perfect fall hues.
Arboretum Trail is a 0.84-mile hike that provides views of a changing forest environment. Leafy greenery gives way to a former jack pine plantation followed by an area dominated by tall ferns. Later, find native black cherry trees and a plantation of Norway spruce.
These tree species come from Europe, Asia and all over the United States. Find educational signage along the way.
RELATED: Northern Michigan trail shows off 1940s tree experiment in Manistee National Forest
This trail is part of the Manistee National Forest, but there’s no fee to park at the trailhead. There are no restrooms. Find the trailhead is at GPS coordinates 44.209608, -85.970988.
Click here to find a map and other information.
Big-M Recreation Area
A popular year-round destination, the Big-M is set alight with color every fall along its 40-plus miles of looped trails.
Hike or bike under the canopy of hardwoods in the Manistee National Forest.
Click here to find a map and other information.
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