Experience the Lake Effect

in Manistee County

Natural beauty.  It’s northern Michigan’s claim to fame, and it flourishes in Manistee County.  There are no big cities or suburban sprawl in our section of the Pure Michigan Mitten. Enjoy our 25 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, three Lake Michigan harbors, inland lakes, 270 miles of prime paddling  rivers and four-season fisheries. Visit our charming, historic towns and marvel at our fertile farms and lush orchards, and our thousands of acres of Manistee National Forest.

Miles of Sandy Beach

Championship Golf Courses

Miles of Hiking and Biking Trails

Number of Lake Michigan Harbors

HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE LAKE EFFECT...

Self-Guided Tours, Sandy Beaches, Championship Golf and Outdoor Recreation
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World Class Lake Michigan Beaches

Enjoy the 26 miles of sugar sand beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. Find privacy and seclusion, or find yourself in the middle of all the action with tons of amenities and things to do while you are enjoying a day in the sand.  Browse all of our top Lake Michigan Beaches below.


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Home to World-Class Outdoor Recreation

Ranked one of the top 100 best outdoor recreation areas in the nation by Outdoor Life. Our terrain is equipped with 49 lakes and 276 miles of rivers for the outdoor fanatic.  We have over 150+ miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails and over 40 miles of groomed XC skiing and snowshoeing trails.

Championship Golfing

The bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan and the mature hardwoods of the Manistee National Forest  make the perfect setting for championship golfing in Northern Michigan. You'll find both in Manistee County, and that's why it is one of Michigan’s premier golf destinations.  With two courses right along the bluffs of Lake Michigan, you will find golfing in Manistee County is the perfect way to experience the lake effect in Manistee County!


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Follow the travelers that love Manistee County, enjoy these stories about our incredible outdoor recreation, things-to-do, dining, shopping and unique experiences you will ONLY find here.

Browse our latest #MyManistee perspectives here, or scroll through these top stories in your category.

Little River. Big Fun.

The Pure Michigan campaign is well exemplified in Manistee County which is full of beautiful sites and scenery. Off the beaten path and on the shores of Lake Michigan, it is a recreational paradise that more people discover each year. When they arrive,...

Discover the Origins Walk

In October of 2022, the Manistee County Visitor’s Bureau unveiled an interpretive signage installation that had been in the works for a number of years. This collaborative project brought together organizations and agencies throughout the region to deliver a new way...

Big Manistee Winter Paddling

With open water year-round on the 4 rivers of Manistee County, winter paddling adventure abounds from the same access points paddlers enjoy in the summer months.  Don’t let colder temperatures keep you away from paddling when the snow flies.  You will find the scenic...

Get out and snowshoe in Manistee County

The snowshoeing opportunities in this area rock.  Recently my wife, myself and our 9 year old Weimaraner named Jade took a trip on the Manistee River Trail and had a blast. We dropped into the trail at Red Bridge (US Forest Service Trailhead with primitive...

Top 6 Fall Color Trails 2021

If getting out into the fresh air and wide open spaces sounds appealing to you, you are not alone. With all that is going on in the world right now, it is a perfect opportunity to get out, stretch you legs, and enjoy some scenic fall color from our trails.  Here we...

Water and Lake Life in Manistee County

There’s fresh water, water, everywhere and even some to drink in Manistee County’s North Coast Region (with a wink and apologies to Samuel Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”). We invite you to immerse yourself in the laid-back lake life in our...

Red, White & Blue Water

The piers at the mouth of the Manistee River are most often used for watching spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan.  But on one weekend in May in Manistee, at dawn and again at noon, there are spectacular sights of a different variety to be witnessed. In...

Go North for a Day-Trip

One of Manistee County’s best-kept secrets is its easy, pretty drives to access other communities. Couple that with our wide variety of lodging and you have the perfect combination of staying here and creating interesting day trips to many of the places...

Nature & Pet Friendly Parks in Manistee County

Traveling with your four legged companions is becoming more and more of a norm in the travel world, so rest assured that we have places that welcome your pets. A top beach in the Manistee Area would be the North Beach Access.  Perfect, out of the way, and...

Manistee’s sugar sand beaches

In the City of Manistee, over 130 acres of Lake Michigan sandy beachfront parks straddle the banks of the Manistee River Channel. First Street Beach/Douglas Park to the south, and Fifth Avenue Beach and Park to the north, offer open, accessible concession...

Plan Your Trip to Manistee County Now!

You are sure to find that perfect place to stay while you are in Manistee County! From quaint bed and breakfasts to beautiful golf resorts, Manistee, Michigan is home to a diverse range of lodging choices that can meet any budget need! At each of our lodging facilities, you will be met with friendly staff that are excited to have you staying with them in Manistee County!