Persons associated with collecting and/or posting this information can not be held legally liable for any errors. While every effort is made to present accurate data, errors may occur.
Camping- Dispersed- Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere in the Manistee National Forest if you are 200 feet from the trail, or a water source, and 1/4 mile from a road or developed campsite.
Private Landowner- There is a campsite for NCT hikers on private land along Cedar Creek Road.
Blacksmith Bayou- Blacksmith Bayou Campground is a National Forest Campground on the Manistee River reached by a short trail very near the NCT. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings with grates, latrine, water.
Sawdust Hole- Sawdust Hole Campground is a National Forest Campground on the Pere Marquette River reached by a side trail just west of Dilling Rd. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings with grates, latrine, water.
Seaton Creek- Seaton Creek Campground is a National Forest Campground (actually just into Wexford County) reached by a side trail from south Beers Rd. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings with grates, latrine, water.
Hiking
North Country National Scenic Trail in Manistee County Segment 1 (Nine-Mile Bridge to Udell Trailhead on M-55) Open to bicycles
Description of this section is sketchy at this time, but begins at Nine-Mile Bridge, approximately the Mason / Manistee County line and proceeds north.
Walk north on Skocelas Road over the Little Manistee River and turn east on Udell Hills Road in about 0.5 mile. Look left almost immediately for where the trail returns to the woods. You will now cut across this wooded corner. This portion has rolling ridges. Cross a 2-track and under a power line and in 0.5 mile re-cross the dirt corner of Scocelas and Good Roads.
Turn north into the woods on the other side. Climb a long gentle slope, and then descend briefly into a badly eroded area and climb back out of this. Angle right on an old woods road, and then veer left into the woods. In about 0.75 mile, cross a 2-track.
You are now circling the west edge of the Udell Hills and the Big M Ski Area. The NCT crosses bike trails and old service roads several times, finally joining one of the old roads for a short distance. Watch for a turn left into the woods off this, but it is well marked. Reach M-55 and the Udell Trailhead in about another 0.5 mile.
Access- parking at Nine-Mile Bridge. for about 6 cars, information kiosk, fee site. Parking at Udell Trailhead for many cars, information kiosk, fee site. Restrictions- No horses or motorized vehicles. No camping within 200 feet of the trail.
Distance and time- 6.1 miles, about 2.5 hours.
Trail Markers- blue rectangular painted blazes (some blue diamonds remain).
Condition of Marking- adequate- treadway is slightly sunken so should be able to be seen even with fresh snow.
Treadway- packed sandy forest soil.
Grades- flat to rolling with only a few short sections which could be called moderately steep.
Ecosystem- edges of Udell Hills which has lots of topography
Other points of interest- Big M Ski Area
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- April 2020
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North Country National Scenic Trail in Manistee County Segment 2 (Udell Trailhead on M-55 to Highbridge) Closed to bicycles
Description of this section begins at M-55 (Udell Trailhead) and proceeds north.
Cross M-55 and enter the woods, but emerge shortly on Huff Road to cross Pine Creek. Continue north on Huff to Cedar Creek Road (dirt) and turn right (east). This angles southeast and in about 1 mile turn left (north) on Michigan Avenue (dirt). Take this north for just over a mile to Chicago Avenue (dirt). Turn right and watch for where the trail returns to the woods on the north side of the road in about 0.3 miles.
There are now 1.7 miles till you reach Highbridge, but within that stretch you pass Blacksmith Bayou Campground on the banks of the Manistee River. Pass through tribal land (no camping.) Descend to river level. Angle into Highbridge Road from the southwest. Cross the road, and there is a pedestrian walkway on the east side of the road. Highbridge parking is on the northwest side of the bridge. There are latrines there.
Access- Parking at Udell Trailhead on M-55 for many cars, information kiosk, fee site. Parking at Highbridge for many cars, fee site. Limited free parking on SW side of Highbridge.
Restrictions- No horses or motorized vehicles. No camping within 200 feet of the trail, no bicycles Udell (M-55) to Dilling Rd.
Distance and time- 5.9 miles, about 2 hours.
Trail Markers- blue rectangular painted blazes (some blue diamonds remain).
Condition of Marking- adequate, treadway is slightly sunken so should be able to be seen even with fresh snow. Road walks may not be as well marked
Treadway- packed sandy forest soil and some sand roads
Grades- flat to moderate with a few sections which could be called moderately steep.
Ecosystem- xeric oak and pine woods
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- April 2020
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North Country National Scenic Trail in Manistee County Segment 3 (Highbridge to Upper River Road Trailhead) Closed to bicycles from Highbridge to Dilling Rd.
The trail leaves Highbridge parlleling the road on a snowmobile trail on the east side of the road. In about 0.4 miles angle right on a dirt road/snowmobile trail and watch for a turn very soon to the right for the NCT.
Briefly parallel a snowmobile trail. Continue along the bluff
Follow the top of a glacial esker- a unique geological feature. There are some good views in this section.
Descend on a series of switchbacks to river level in an area known as Leitch Bayou. Cross a section of beaver activity on a bridge. The beavers have built the dam right beside the bridge. Continue on low floodplain of the Manistee River. This area is popular with anglers.
Cross four small bridges while you are at river level, and then reach some puncheon. Immediately after this you climb back to the bluff.
The NCT turns left at the top of the bluff and climb to reach Dilling Road. If you continue straight instead of turning, in 1/4 mile you reach Sawdust Hole Campground. Cross Dilling Road. Drop away from Dilling Road and cross a 2-track.
Reach the top of the bluff, and begin a section with some ups and downs until you reach the bluff above Tippy Dam Pond when you will continue mostly along the contour.
Side trail to "Far From the Maddening Crowd Knoll" - semi-obstructed views.
Down at river level, cross 2 track near River Road. Climb again to bluff; there are several nice views here.
Make a sharp left and drop to cross Coates Highway. (Red Bridge access to the Manistee River is to the right down this road, but if you want to go there, continue on the trail, take the turnoff to the Upper River Road trailhead, and then take the turn to Manistee River Trail, and it will lead you to the bridge without walking the road.) This spur is a steep side trail (0.4 mile) down to the parking at Upper River Road Trailhead.
Access- Parking at Highbridge for many cars, fee site. Parking at Sawdust Hole for 2 or 3 cars. Parking at Upper River Road TH for several cars. Restrictions- No horses or motorized vehicles. No camping within 200 feet of the trail. No bicycles south of Dilling Road
Distance and time- 10.5 miles, about 4 hours.
Trail Markers- blue rectangular painted blazes (some blue diamonds remain).
Condition of Marking- adequate, treadway is slightly sunken so should be able to be seen even with fresh snow.
Treadway- packed sandy forest soil
Grades- flat to moderate with a few sections which could be called moderately steep.
Ecosystem- Wooded bluffs above the Manistee River and prairie-like floodplain of the river
Other points of interest- marker for the Sawdust Hole historic saw mill
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- April 2020
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North Country National Scenic Trail in Manistee County Segment 4 (Upper River Road to Hodenpyl Dam) Open to bicycles
Description of this section begins at Upper River Road and proceeds north.
There is parking for several cars at Upper River Road Trailhead, and you will have a steep climb up to reach the main NCT.
This section is the NCT half of the popular North Country / Manistee River Trails loop hike. This loop is about 20 total miles and makes a nice weekend backpack.
The trail in this section is mostly on the bluff above the Manistee River with lots of good views. There are long hills, and the trail wanders from the bluff back to cross the heads of several valleys. The only water on this side of the loop is at Eddington Creek or about 0.25 miles away at one of the designated campsites near where the trail crosses FR 8111.
Eddington Creek is almost at the north end of this section. Climb away from the creek and join a former railroad berm.
Turnoff to Marilla Trailhead. There is a bench on the spur to Marilla Trailhead with a nice view over the river valley.
Reach the turnoff to the Suspension Bridge, Little Mac, the 2nd largest suspension bridge in Michigan! To reach Seaton Creek Campground, or the Manistee River Trail, cross the bridge.
To continue north on the NCT, do not take this turnoff, but continue straight to Hodenpyl Dam parking.
Turn left on Blueberry Lane and then right on Hodenpyl Dam Rd. NCT continues along the road for a short distance to skirt private property, then returns to the shore of Hodenpyl Pond.
Access- Parking at Upper River Road Trailhead, Marilla Trailhead, information kiosks, fee sites. Also parking at Hodenpyl Dam.
Restrictions- No horses or motorized vehicles. No camping within 200 feet of the trail.
Distance and time- 10+ miles (Upper River Road to Hodenpyl Dam, about 4 hours.
Trail Markers- blue rectangular painted blazes (some blue diamonds remain).
Condition of Marking- adequate, treadway is slightly sunken so should be able to be seen even with fresh snow.
Treadway- packed sandy forest soil, one mile old RR grade
Grades- flat to moderate with a few short sections which could be called moderately steep.
Ecosystem- Xeric mature oak and pine forest. Red Pine plantations. Mixed northern hardwoods. Mostly on bluff above Manistee River
Other points of interest- connection to Manistee River Trail, Manistee River suspension bridge
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- April 2020
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Bicycling
Bicycling- The trail is open to bicycles south of Udell Trailhead, and north of Dilling Road. This means it is closed to bicycles from Udell to Dilling.
Scenic Views- some nice views of the Manistee River, and the Suspension Bridge
Handicap Accessibility
Handicap Accessibility- latrine at Udell Trailhead is accessible with natural surface approach
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- Latrines at Udell Trailhead, Blacksmith Bayou (short distance off the trail), Highbridge (very short distance off the trail), Sawdust Hole (short distance off the trail), Marilla Trailhead
Potable Water- summer only - hand pump at Udell Trailhead. Blacksmith Bayou (off trail), and Sawdust Hole (off trail).
Details
Access- Official Trailheads at Udell Trailhead (M-55), Upper River Road, Marilla. Un-official trailhead at Sawdust Hole
Restrictions- All National Forest regulations apply. Many of the trailheads within the Manistee NF are now Recreation Fee Sites. This means you need a sticker to park there. There are self-pay tubes, see Huron Manistee National Forest fees for current price. No OHV's. 14-day camping limit. Other National Forest regulations apply. No camping along road.
More- Visit the NCTA official web site The NCTA has full-color, topographic, field-checked maps of this section. Call 1-866-hikeNCT or use the ARCGIS online NCTA maps found at the web site.
You can download the Forest Service Maps of the trail. They will no longer be putting these at the trailheads due to costs.
In lieu of the Forest Service parking fee, Interagency passes are also accepted. Display on your dashboard when you park.
Maintained by- Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. Contact them to report problems or for more information on helping build and maintain trail. This section of trail is all within the Manistee National Forest
Locator
Driving Directions
Nine-mile Bridge Public Access and parking can be reached by driving east on Freesoil Road. Five miles east of Freesoil, turn north on Campbell Rd, a good, graded dirt road. Continue for 5 miles and cross Riverside Drive. The road becomes Scocelas Rd (now in Manistee County). Just 1/10 mile farther the Public Access is on the left, before crossing the bridge.
Or from Manistee go east on M-55 for 8 miles, and turn south on dirt Scocelas Rd. After several twists and turns this reaches Nine-mile Bridge.
Udell Trailhead- Located on M-55 12 miles east of Manistee or 14 miles west of M-37, on the south side of the road.
Blacksmith Bayou- On M-55 east of Manistee go to Highbridge Road. (15 miles east of Manistee, and 9 miles west of M-37) Turn north on Highbridge, and in 2 miles turn left on Chicago Ave., then watch for the sign to turn right into Blacksmith Bayou. The trail crosses the road before you reach the campground.
Highbridge- On M-55 east of Manistee go to Highbridge Road. (15 miles east of Manistee, and 9 miles west of M-37) Turn north on Highbridge and you will come to the bridge in 3 miles. The main, paved parking area is on the northwest side of the bridge, but there is also a dirt area where you can park on the southwest side.
Sawdust Hole- On M-55 east of Manistee go to Highbridge Road. (15 miles east of Manistee, and 9 miles west of M-37) Turn north on Highbridge, and go to Brethren. Turn east on Coates Highway, and 3.5 miles turn south on Tippy Dam Road. In about 2.5 miles turn right on a dirt road to Sawdust Hole. Before you reach the campground there is a dirt area for 2 or 3 cars to park just where you reach the bluff edge. The NCT is reached by a spur trail which follows the bluff straight out from the front of this parking area. There is also paved parking at the end of Tippy Dam Road.
Upper River Road Trailhead- On M-55 east of Manistee go to Highbridge Road. (15 miles east of Manistee, and 9 miles west of M-37) Turn north on Highbridge and go to Brethren. Turn east on Coates Highway. In 7.7 miles, turn north on dirt Upper River Road. The trailhead is on the left in 0.2 miles
Marilla Trailhead- From M-55 go to Highbridge Road. (15 miles east of Manistee, and 9 miles west of M-37) Turn north on Highbridge and go to Kaleva. Turn east on 9-Mile Road. The pavement will jog north, and then east again on Beers Road. The Marilla Trailhead is 2 miles east of this jog, on the south side of the road.
Or from M-37, go to Mesick and turn west on M-115. Just under 2 miles west of town, turn south on Hodenpyl Dam Road. The Trailhead is in 5 miles on the south side of the road.
Hodenpyl Dam parking- Off Hodenpyl Dam Road/Beers Road 3 miles west of Mesick. Turn south on Blueberry, and parking is the right.
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