Manistee River 3-Day Kayak Camping Adventure

The expedition began Friday morning at Wilderness Outfitters, where the crew gathered with fully loaded kayaks and enough equipment to remain self-supported for three days.

Once everything was packed and secured, Roger, the owner of Wilderness Outfitters, handled the shuttle, transporting the crew and our boats to Lucas Road Boating Access at Lucas Bridge, also known as Missaukee Bridge.

With the boats unloaded and gear secured, there was only one thing left to do: launch.

Our plan was straightforward: paddle approximately 20 miles each day, camp along the river for two nights and finish Sunday back at Wilderness Outfitters, where our vehicles would be waiting.

The first destination was Old 131 Campground, approximately 20 miles downstream.

Once underway, the Manistee was moving at a comfortable pace, and our group averaged around 4.7 mph. The current helped carry our heavily loaded touring kayaks as we settled into the rhythm of the expedition.

For a group carrying several days of camping equipment, that current was more than welcome.

The river wound through towering forests, and with every mile we traveled, the feeling of leaving everyday life farther behind became stronger.

Then came a little excitement.

One of our club members, Gary, stopped to take some photographs and managed to get hung up on a log, swamping his kayak.

The group immediately stopped to help secure his boat and gear. Fortunately, Gary wasn't injured, although his unexpected swim probably gave his pride a little bruising.

After getting everything squared away, Gary changed into dry clothes, grabbed some food and warmed back up before we continued downstream.

The weather cooperated for most of the day, with occasional sunshine and little rain.

Around 3:30 p.m., we reached Old 131 Campground.

We unloaded our boats, organized our equipment, gathered firewood and established camp. Dinner followed, along with some much-needed time to relax.

But for this crew, sitting around camp wasn't quite enough.

Several of us headed out for approximately a three-mile hike along the North Country Trail to check out the newly constructed railroad bridge spanning the Manistee River.

After a full day on the water followed by several miles on foot, we finally returned to camp.

The Manistee continued flowing beside us as we settled into our tents for the night.

One day down. Two more to go.

Saturday morning arrived quietly.

We woke to the sound of the Manistee flowing nearby and a peaceful forest with very few other campers around.

After breakfast, we began the familiar process of breaking down camp.

Tents came down. Sleeping gear was packed. Food and supplies were reorganized. Everything had to find its way back into the kayaks.

Old 131 Campground has an improved kayak and canoe launch, making it a convenient stopping point for paddlers traveling this section of the river.

Soon, the boats were once again fully loaded and sitting at the water's edge.

Another 20-mile day was ahead of us.

We launched and continued downstream.

The Manistee continued to provide a steady current, helping move our heavily loaded boats through the forest.

Saturday did bring some rain. Fortunately, it was mostly a light mist rather than a heavy downpour. The river valley provided some shelter from the wind, and nobody seemed particularly interested in letting a little rain ruin the adventure.

As the miles passed, the landscape began to feel increasingly remote.

There were long stretches when it seemed like we had the river almost entirely to ourselves.

That feeling is one of the reasons multi-day river expeditions are so special.

You aren't simply passing through the landscape. You're living in it.

Your kayak carries your shelter, your food, your clothing and your equipment. Every mile takes you farther downstream, and every evening brings another temporary campsite somewhere along the river.

Eventually, we reached a secluded section of the Manistee National Forest where we would spend our second night.

The boats came out of the water, and camp was established once again.

Tents went up. Firewood was gathered. Dinner was prepared.

And after spending most of the day in a kayak, it was time to explore on foot.

We headed out for approximately four miles along nearby logging roads and through beautiful sections of forest overlooking the river.

As darkness settled over the valley, we returned to camp and gathered around the fire.

Then the forest came alive.

Coyotes howled from across the valley.

Owls called from the darkness.

The river continued its steady journey downstream.

Sitting around the fire with the sound of the wilderness surrounding us, it was hard to believe we were only a few hours from the roads and towns of everyday life.

Two days down. One more to go.

Sometime during Saturday night, the rain finally found us.

Fortunately, we were prepared.

Everyone stayed warm and dry inside their tents as the rain passed through the forest.

Sunday morning brought the final breakdown of camp.

We gathered water, packed our tents and camping equipment and loaded our kayaks for the final time.

There was approximately 20 miles of river remaining between us and Wilderness Outfitters.

Then we launched.

For the final day, Mother Nature gave us some of the best weather of the trip.

The sun occasionally broke through the clouds, warming the river valley and giving us beautiful glimpses of the landscape as we continued downstream.

About halfway through the day's paddle, we stopped for lunch and took a well-earned break.

While traveling downstream, we also encountered several professional canoe racers training on the same section of the Manistee for an upcoming event.

We stopped to talk for a few minutes before continuing downriver.

It was another reminder of the importance of the Manistee River to Michigan's paddling community. This isn't simply a beautiful wilderness river. It is also a destination for paddlers, racers and outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the region.

The wildlife continued to make appearances.

We saw bald eagles, deer, coyotes and several species of turtles along the river corridor.

With the occasional sunshine overhead and the current continuing to carry us downstream, the final miles disappeared surprisingly quickly.

Eventually, Wilderness Outfitters came into view.

After three days, approximately 60 miles of paddling and two nights spent camping beside the river, our expedition had reached its final destination.

We pulled the boats from the water and began unloading the gear that had served as our home away from home for the weekend.

There was a definite sense of accomplishment.

But the number of miles wasn't really what made the trip memorable.

It was everything that happened between the miles.

A multi-day kayak expedition is different from a typical day paddle.

You're not simply traveling from one access point to another.

Your kayak becomes your transportation, your gear trailer and your connection to the river.

Everything you need has to fit inside or on top of the boat.

Every piece of equipment matters. Every mile of current matters. And every decision about what you bring can make life on the river easier, or harder.

That's part of the challenge. And it's part of the fun.

For our group, the Manistee expedition wasn't about getting somewhere as quickly as possible.

It was about experiencing the river.

It was about waking up in the woods, packing a kayak and launching into another day of adventure.

It was about campfires, long conversations, unexpected swims and miles of forested shoreline.

It was about hiking trails after a full day of paddling.

It was about hearing coyotes across the valley and owls calling through the darkness.

It was about watching bald eagles overhead and turtles along the shoreline.

It was about laughing with friends and sharing an experience that none of us would have experienced quite the same way on our own.

Most importantly, it was about doing something challenging together.

• Three days.
• Approximately 60 miles.
• Roughly 20 miles per day.
• Fully loaded touring kayaks.
• Two nights in the woods.
• One beautiful Michigan river.
• And countless memories.

For the West Michigan Kayaking Club, adventures like this are about much more than simply getting on the water.

We're a community of paddlers and outdoor adventurers who enjoy exploring Michigan by kayak, canoe and SUP, and sometimes continuing the adventure on foot.

Our trips range from day paddles and skill-building adventures to long-distance river expeditions, kayak camping, hiking and multi-day wilderness adventures.

We believe some of the best experiences happen when you leave the pavement behind, load your kayak with what you need and spend a few days experiencing Michigan from the water and the woods.

The Manistee River expedition was a perfect example of that philosophy.

We weren't looking for an easy day on the water.

We were looking for an adventure. And that's exactly what we found.