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Camping- 99 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Water available at spigots in each camp loop. There are 3 group campsites. Self-pay tubes, extra fees for groups.
Hiking
North Overlook Trail
This is a boardwalk and stairs which climb to the top of the highest nearby dune. From the parking lot walk into the traffic loop at the end of the road. If you picture yourself entering this circle at the 6 o'clock position, the boardwalk begins at 2 o'clock. Then just keep on climbing till you get to the top! You'll be level with the tops of the trees. You can see Big Sable Point to the south, and the lighthouse (it looks as if it's back toward the dune from this angle, not at the water's edge). There are two places to rest with benches on the way up, and two octagonal decks with benches at the top.
Access- Park in the lot south of F.R. 5629 just before the end of the road.
Restrictions- no bikes, dogs must be leashed
Distance and time- 0.1 mile from beginning of boardwalk; 5 minutes (or more going up! each way). Mileages were measured on a topographic map and/ or verified by pacing, at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- none
Condition of Marking- none needed- stay on the stairs
Treadway- wooden stairs- safe and stable footing
Grades- almost entirely stairs- (165 steps ascend 110 vertical feet)
Ecosystem- Dune forest with oak and maple and a scattering of white pine
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- July 2019
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North Beach Trails
Trail to swimming beach: From the parking lot walk into the traffic loop at the end of the road. If you picture yourself entering this circle at the 6 o'clock position, the boardwalk begins at 1 o'clock. There is an interpretive sign about the fragile nature of dune ecosystems and then descend a few steps to loose sand. There is one bench here. Continue straight over the dune and steeply down its face to the shore.
Trail to the dog exercise area: Begin as above but turn to the right after you leave the boardwalk- you can see the sign at the bottom of a dip.
Trail to the dune above Porter Creek: From the parking lot walk into the traffic loop at the end of the road. If you picture yourself entering this circle at the 6 o'clock position, the trail begins at 11 o'clock. It is marked with a carsonite post as Foot Travel Only. Follow it to the edge of the Creek gorge, and then on over the dune and down to the beach.
Access- Park in the lot south of F.R. 5629 just before the end of the road.
Restrictions- No bikes on beach. Dogs must be leashed and not in swimming area at all (separate area designated). No camping or campfires on beach.
Distance and time- 500 feet from the loop of the drive to the beach; 2 minutes (each way). Mileages were measured on a topographic map and/ or verified by pacing, at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- signs at beginning of boardwalk
Condition of Marking- well-marked
Treadway- Boardwalk with 15 steps then loose beach sand- unstable footing, but hey, it's a beach.
Grades- Moderately steep to steep to get to the beach, but if you just want to sit and look at the lake you only have the 15 steps to do.
Ecosystem- Lake Michigan shoreline and primary dune
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- July 2019
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South Overlook Trail
The south overlook has been removed and the trail to this exact site closed in order for the ecosystem to recover from damage to the dune. You can still access the top of the hill by following the directions for the Arrowhead Trail
South Beach Trails
Trail to swimming beach: Park in the traffic loop at the end of the road. If you picture yourself entering this circle at the 6 o'clock position, the boardwalk begins at 12 o'clock. Follow the boardwalk past the latrine and several interpretive signs about Lake Michigan and the fragile nature of the dune ecosystem. There is also a site map here. Descend 20 steps to loose sand. There is an informational kiosk. Continue straight over the dune and steeply down its face to the shore.
Trail to the dog exercise area and observation decks: Begin as above but turn to the left at the interpretive signs. The boardwalk continues down steps to a double level deck with additional interpretive signs about the history of the Porter Creek area. You can continue on to the beach.
Access- Park in the loop at the end of F.R. 5972 just before the end of the road.
Restrictions- No bikes on beach. Dogs must be leashed and not in swimming area at all (separate area designated). No camping or campfires on beach.
Distance and time- 500 feet from the loop of the drive to the beach; 2 minutes (each way). Mileages were measured on a topographic map and/ or verified by pacing, at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- signs at beginning of boardwalk
Condition of Marking- well-marked
Treadway- Boardwalk with 20 steps then loose beach sand- unstable footing, but hey, it's a beach.
Grades- Moderately steep to steep
Ecosystem- Lake Michigan shoreline and primary dune
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- July 2019
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Porter Creek Trail
Trail description is from the north side of the creek to the south side. From the north parking lot walk into the traffic loop at the end of the road. If you picture yourself entering this circle at the 6 o'clock position, the trail begins at 9 o'clock and is marked for Foot Travel. (The map posted at the information kiosk labels it as a multi-use trail.) Walk towards the creek and turn left at the top of the gorge. The trail follows the top of the bank. Near the lake the creek is deep below you in a hemlock filled gorge, but as you walk upstream the creek bed climbs within the valley. There are interpretive signs and a bench along this section. When you reach the bridge in 7 minutes the stream is only about 15 feet below you. This is a rippling, bubbling, brown dappled stream, a joy to watch, making this a beautiful walk. Recent bank cave-ins have resulted in a number of trees falling over the creek.
At the bridge there is a bench, and a connector with the outer Multi-Use Loop angles to the left (north east). Turn right to cross the bridge and then make a hard right to loop back west along the south bank. In 8 more minutes you will come to a sign that says "No bicycles beyond this point," which refers to bikes not being allowed on the beach. The bike trail makes a left turn here into the south parking loop (at 3 o'clock position). There is a bike trail marker at this end if you are trying to locate where the trail begins from this loop. On foot, you can continue straight in the woods to the beach trails.
Access- Park at the end of FR 5629 to access the north end of the trail. Park at the end of FR 5972 to access the south end of the trail. There is a also connector from the Multi-Use Loop at the bridge.
Restrictions- Dogs must be leashed. Remember this trail is shared with bikers.
Distance and time- 0.75 miles, about 15 minutes (one way). Mileages were measured on a topographic map and/ or verified by pacing, at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- 4" square brown bike logos mounted on posts
Condition of Marking- at junctions only, but treadway is well-maintained and easy to follow. In new snow you might lose the treadway, but just follow the creek.
Treadway- Gravel added to stabilize soil for bikes, stable footing- few roots
Grades- flat
Ecosystem- Mixed hardwood - maple, oak and beech. The ravine is filled with hemlock.
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- July 2019
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Arrowhead Trail
This is a loop trail on dune ridges above lake Michigan and the campgrounds. You can continue on toward Nordhouse Dunes from two points along this trail. Park in the south parking area on FR 5972. If you picture yourself entering the traffic circle at the 6 o'clock position, the boardwalk begins at 12 o'clock. Follow the boardwalk till you reach a carsonite post saying "Hiker Trail" on a trail to the left. Take this, and climb moderately past a sign that indicates a hillside route has been closed for restoration. This is the site of the former South Overlook stairs. Continue on the trail benched into ths side of the hill which ascends gradually.
Climb to the top of the hill and notice a turn back to the left on broad stairs at a junction sign. This will take you around the arrowhead clockwise, however this description continues counter-clockwise. Continue straight.
There is a steep bluff down to your right with white cedar, a linear wetland at the bottom, and a small dune before Lake Michigan. Pass pegged-in steps to the beach which descend on your right (west). Continue on 3 minutes to a junction with a sign for the Arrowhead Trail directing you to fork left, uphill, a steep ascent. At the top is a T, turn left. This is the main turn onto the bottom of the arrowhead. (The right fork simply takes you back down to the bluff trail which continues south into Nordhouse Dunes on the Lake Michigan Trail).
In a few minutes, bear left and head slightly downhill. Then reach a signed juction with the central trail into Nordhouse Dunes, the Nipissing Trail. Turn left (north) to continue on the Arrowhead Trail. The Multi-Use Loop, and the Peters Grade are below you on the right, at the bottom of the steep dune.
You have now turned north to return to the tip of the arrowhead. You are on a ridge above two valleys- a nice walk with a top-of-the-world feeling. If you continue straight you will reach the former South Overlook hilltop, cut across this, descend on broad steps to the T to return on the trail graded in to the face of the bluff.
Access- Park at the end of FR 5972 and follow directions to the hiker trail.
Restrictions- Dogs must be leashed. No bikes
Distance and time- 1 mile, 30 minutes. Mileages were measured on a topographic map and/ or verified by pacing, at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- 4" brown squares with routed white arrowheads, mounted on posts, name boards at junctions
Condition of Marking- Newly repaired and adequate
Treadway- Packed sand and sandy soil, deeply trenched in some places. Fairly stable footing
Grades- moderate to moderately steep
Ecosystem- Wooded dune ridges high above Lake Michigan. Oak, pine, hemlock, maple.
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- July 2019
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Multi-Use Loop
Trail description is from the north side of the creek to the south side. To complete the loop, follow the Porter Creek Trail. From the north parking lot walk into the traffic loop at the end of the road. If you picture yourself entering this circle at the 6 o'clock position, the trail begins at 4 o'clock and is marked for bicycle use. (The map posted at the information kiosk indicates it is a multi-use trail.)
Trail proceeds east through woods and crosses the road to the group campsite in 4 minutes. In 4 more minutes you will enter a more open area growing up in jackpine, with some butterfly houses. Some apple trees are fenced to keep the deer from eating them. An old 2-track road comes in from behind obliquely on the left, but stay on the single-track gravelled trail. Another 2-track will leave the trail to the right, but continue straight into red pines.
Nearing the road, the trail divides. The right fork crosses the road, and continues to the Porter Creek Trail. Turn left to take the outer loop. Trail turns right at a marked 4x4 post (left fork continues to Cooper Creek) and reaches the intersection of FRs 5972 and 5629 in about 4 minutes. Cross at an angle and continue on gravelled path.
In another 4 minutes the trail will come out to the shoulder of FR 5972 (road to the campground loops), and cross Porter Creek on the road. It then turns left and re-enters the woods. There are a number of large hemlocks through this area.
In about 10 minutes you will begin to approach the west side of the campground loops. Cross a culvert and a trail which has a sign for the Wilderness to the left. Turn right at the Peters Grade Trail at a marked 4x4 post. The trail is now wide and flat as this is an old RR grade. Cross another trail with a bench at the junction. In a few more minutes, cross the marked junction with trails leading to the Oak Camping Loop and the Beach. Continue straight.
Soon you come to the South Beach Trails boardwalk, and the south traffic loop. If you continue straight along the bluff (by wooden fence), you will quickly come to the south end of the Porter Creek Trail, which completes this loop.
Access- Park at the end of FR 5629 to access the north end of the trail. Park at the end of FR 5972 to access the south end of the trail. There is a also connector from the Porter Creek Trail.
Restrictions- Dogs must be leashed. Remember this trail is shared with bikers.
Distance and time- 1.5 miles, about 1 hour (one way). Mileages were measured on a topographic map and/ or verified by pacing, at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- 4" square brown bike logos mounted on posts
Condition of Marking- at junctions only, but treadway is well-maintained and easy to follow. In new snow you might lose the treadway, but should be able to follow the wide opening.
Treadway- Gravel added to stabilize soil for bikes, stable footing
Grades- flat
Ecosystem- Mixed hardwood - maple, oak and beech. Areas of hemlock.
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- July 2019
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Bicycling
Bicycling- The Porter Creek Trail and Multi-Use Loop are open to bicycling.
Picnicking
Picnicking- day use areas near both the north and south parking areas with picnic tables and grills
Playgrounds
Playground- swings and more in the north day use area
Scenic Views
Scenic Views- observation tower at the north side of Porter Creek offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan. There are also good views from the Arrowhead Trail
Swimming
Swimming- Lake Michigan beach, and outlet of Porter Creek for wading
Handicap Accessibility
Handicap Accessibility- restrooms and latrines are accessible
The Porter Creek Loop, and the Multi-Use Trail are hardened with gravel packed into the soil, are wide and flat, and would be suitable for wheelchairs designed for outdoor use.
Rest Rooms- Open only in summer
Potable Water- summer only at parking and picnic areas, camping loops
Details
Access- paved roads and camp loops
Restrictions- Recreation Fee Sticker required for parking. There are self-pay tubes. Camping fee, no dogs on swimming beach, pets must be leashed.
Seasonality- road may not be not plowed in winter
Ecosystem- everything from Lake Michigan beach, small stream, xeric forest, dunes, wetlands
Other points of interest- Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is just to the south
Additional Facilities- Playground, Camping, Picnic Area with grills, Although not described as a trail, you can always walk along the beach.
Maintained by- Michigan DEQ, but contact Huron-Manistee National Forest for information, 231-723-2211
More-
A Recreation Fee sticker is required (self-pay tubes are available for daily passes, yearly passes may be purchased at a Ranger Station). Manistee National Forest Recreation Fees
Locator
Driving Directions
From Scottville travel north on US 31 for 11.5 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 5629 (Forest Trail), which is paved and clearly marked. Go straight at the stop sign at Quarterline Road. (This is no longer a 4-way stop- be careful.) About 8 miles from US 31 Forest Road 5972 turns left. If you continue straight you will reach Lake Michigan north of Porter Creek. If you turn left, you will reach the campground loops and Lake Michigan south of Porter Creek.
From Manistee, go south on US 31. The turn on Forest Road 5629 (Forest Trail) is 4 miles south of the Manistee/ Mason County Line.
This is a loop trail on dune ridges above lake Michigan and the campgrounds. You can continue on toward ![[Counties]](masonpix/loclakerec.gif)
