Trails / Michigan / Northern Lower Peninsula

Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail Loop

Huron-Manistee National Forests (near Mesick and Wellston)

The Manistee River Trail follows the east bank of the Manistee River below Hodenpyl Dam, and the North Country Trail runs parallel on the west side. Tied together by a suspension footbridge at the north end and the road bridge at Red Bridge to the south, the two form what the Forest Service calls a 20-mile non-motorized loop.

Guides describe the east side as river bluffs with established campsites, and the west side as wooded hillsides with little water.

The hike

Most trip guides start at Seaton Creek Campground, where a spur of about 1.4 miles leads to the Manistee River Trail near the suspension bridge, the “Little Mac.” The Forest Service describes the bridge as 246 feet long, spanning 166 feet over the river just downstream of Hodenpyl Dam, and says it links the Manistee River Trail to the 4,800-mile North Country Trail. It was closed for maintenance in fall 2024 and reopened in April 2025 with new decking, railing, and hardware.

Heading south (downstream) on the Manistee River Trail, the route follows bluffs above the river. The Outbound and My Open Country both mention a seasonal waterfall around mile 3, with several campsites nearby. Wikipedia describes the trail’s spring-fed waterfalls, bluffs, and wetlands, and gives the river trail’s length as 11 miles between Red Bridge and Seaton Creek.

At Red Bridge, the river access has potable water and vault toilets, according to the Forest Service. From there, an access trail climbs about 300 feet (per The Outbound) to the North Country Trail. Guides recommend Red Hill Lookout, a short way north, as a second-night camp, but there’s no water nearby, so fill up at Red Bridge first.

The North Country Trail side is mostly wooded. My Open Country warns that it runs about seven miles without a water source; TrailGroove says Eddington Creek usually lets you refill. The Outbound describes “old-growth forest” on the final day before you return to the Little Mac and the spur back to Seaton Creek. TrailGroove notes that the loop crosses several unpaved roads, which give extra parking options such as the Marilla Trailhead and the end of Slage Creek Road.

Guides list the main hazards as summer crowds near Seaton Creek and Red Bridge, heavy bugs from late May into September, and ticks. The Forest Service has warned that the trail is likely to be wet and muddy in spring, and asks hikers to walk through mud rather than around it to avoid widening the tread. Bikes and pack animals are prohibited on the Manistee River Trail under a forest order.

Tips

Fill up at Red Bridge. It has potable water; the NCT side can be dry for miles.
Go south on the river trail first if you want Red Hill Lookout for night two, as several guides suggest.
Arrive early on summer weekends. Sites near the river go first.
Hang or store food. The Outbound says black bears are rare but have been reported.
Expect mud in spring, and stay on the tread.
Check for flood or dam-work notices before you go.

Camping

No permit is required for the primitive campsites along the loop, according to My Open Country, and dispersed camping is allowed in the national forest. The Forest Service occupancy order (R904-18-02) prohibits camping or campfires within 200 feet of any body of water except at designated sites, and limits a stay at one dispersed location to 16 days in 30. My Open Country says the established backcountry sites have fire rings, and that Seaton Creek Campground takes reservations; Red Bridge is a river access with water and toilets. Trailhead parking fees apply at Seaton Creek and Marilla, per My Open Country.

Inside Intel: The Outbound’s trip writer calls Red Hill Lookout “a fantastic place to set up camp because it is a well-established site off the trail.” For night one, My Open Country recommends “one of the sites between the 1 and 3-mile markers south of Seaton Creek,” near the waterfall.

Trail facts

Distance: About 20 miles (Forest Service); 21.7 to 23 by other guides, depending on the Seaton Creek spur
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Campsites: Established sites along the river trail, especially miles 1 to 3; Red Hill Lookout on the NCT; dispersed camping elsewhere
Water: Pumps at Seaton Creek and Red Bridge; Eddington Creek usually; treat all natural water
Permits: None for backcountry camping; parking fees at some trailheads
Rules: No camping within 200 feet of water except designated sites; no bikes or pack animals on the Manistee River Trail
Trailheads: Seaton Creek Campground, Red Bridge, Marilla, Upper River Road
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

Supper at Red Hill Lookout:

There's no water at the lookout, so you'll carry dinner water up from Red Bridge. See the trail meals reviewers rate for flavor and easy prep.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.