Manistee River Michigan - Paddle & Hike
Manistee River Trail, Mesick, MI
July 17-21, 2026
Co-Trip Leaders: Wendy Brinson and TBD
Type of Trip: Paddling/some Hiking/Camping
Trip Cost: $60
Cancellation Date and full payment: June 10, 2026
Wilderness Level: 2 - Rural area such as a State Forest or a more remote State Park. Day or overnight.
Trip Difficulty: Moderate - Total 50 miles and up to 20 miles per day (paddling)
Policy on Fitness Self-Assessment
Level 3: Applies to backpacking trips in which we hike with 25-35 pound backpacks. In one day, we can hike up to 7 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain on maintained trails, or up to 5 miles and 2000 feet of elevation gain on more rugged trails. For a Level 3 trip you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in a day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack.
Group Size: 8/7 Maximum/Minimum
Adults. Youth with leader approval OK
Join us for a trip to the beautiful Manistee River in Michigan for canoeing or kayaking and some hiking.
The first day we will drive to Baxter Bridge State Forest Campground then set up camp. This is a smaller but pretty campground on the Manistee River. We will hike to High Banks Rollway that day or the next morning which is about 5 miles. The second day we’ll shuttle then paddle from upstream of the campground for 3-4 hours. The third day we’ll pack up, shuttle, then paddle downstream toward Mesick, ending the day at Seaton Creek Campground which is close to the Manistee River Trail. Day 4 we can paddle from Hodenpyl Dam down to Red Bridge and then hike parts of the Manistee River Trail the next day before heading home.
You are responsible for your transportation, kayak or canoe, Michigan Recreation passport and meals.
A shakedown event will be determined at a later date.
All participants must wear a personal flotation device when on the river.
Questions may be submitted to ciwcinfo@gmail.com.
All trip participants must fill out and submit a
CIWC Medical Form and Liability Release.
Effective on all trips, there will be a $50 nonrefundable registration fee. This fee will be assessed to those who sign up for a trip, get on the roster and then later cancel. Even cancelling before the cancel date. Those who never make the active roster (i.e. those who stay on the waitlist) will NOT be charged the $50 cancellation fee.
