Manistee County CVB releases outdoor activity guide

By Kim Skeltis

Manistee County Visitors Bureau

 

Now that it’s officially winter and the first snowfall has arrived, the Manistee County Visitors Bureau (Visit Manistee County) wants to help visitors navigate a winter getaway by trying a new outdoor activity. And with 20 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, 30-plus miles of groomed fat tire biking, 80 lakes and four rivers for winter fishing and paddling, access to 450 miles of snowmobile trails plus two neighboring downhill ski resorts, there is no shortage of winter things to do in Manistee County.

 

“With families seeking fun, safe outdoor winter activities (especially this year), we want to make it easy to see all the choices in Manistee County and book a trip,” said Kathryn Kenny, executive director of Visit Manistee County. “We especially encourage people to try a new winter activity this year, and we’ll even help you find the rental equipment – whether for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or fat biking.”

 

Winter Trails Guide

 

Visit Manistee County is offering a free, online 42-page Winter Trails Guide that includes a two-sided fold-out trail map with regional snowmobile trail network on one side and dining and lodging options on the other side. Visitors also can request a printed guide through the website or by calling the visitors bureau at 877-626-4783.

 

Components of the guide include:

  • Top photo spots in winter, with user-generated photos tagging #MyManistee
  • Winter activities to try, including equipment rental locations
  • Six trail maps and one river map, with nearby amenities for each trail
  • Lists of lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment options

Winter Activities

Following are winter activities outlined in the guide, including where to enjoy them and how to rent equipment:

  • Snowmobiling – The region features 250 miles of groomed trails in Manistee County, plus access to 450-plus miles in a five-county trail network connecting all of the northwest corner of the Lower Peninsula. Snowmobile rentals and tours: Crystal Adventures, Thompsonville
  • Winter fishing – Once ice forms, anglers flock to 80 inland lakes and four rivers of Manistee County, casting lines for pike, walleye, perch, smelt, bluegill and crappie. Fishing equipment rental/purchase: Osborn’s Sport Shop, Bear Lake
  • Winter paddling – Paddlers can enjoy the Big Manistee and Pine Rivers throughout winter and see scenery from a new perspective. NOTE: Winter paddlers should take caution and dress appropriately. Paddling the river in the summer first is recommended for safety. Kayak or canoe rental: Pine River Paddlesports Center, Wellston. See below for guided winter river paddles on the Pine River.
  • Snowshoeing – Manistee County’s diverse hiking terrain becomes a snowshoer’s paradise when the snow flies.  Hiking trails make perfect snowshoeing destinations, whether along Lake Michigan at Arcadia Dunes/Old Baldy Trailhead or Magoon Creek Nature Area, or inland on the North Country Trail and Manistee River Trail Loop. Snowshoe rental: Crystal Lake Adventure Sports, Beulah
  • Fat tire biking – Manistee County offers two groomed fat bike trails: Big M Recreational Area (one of the state’s first groomed bike trail systems) with 25 miles of single-track trails at various levels of difficulty, and the Non-Motorized Park including the MTB Terrain Park boasting 5.4 miles of trails featuring boards, trails and obstacles for the beginner to intermediate biker. Fat bike rental: Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville
  • Cross-country skiing – Manistee County is home to more than 20 miles of groomed skiing trails in two major trail networks – Big-M Recreation Area with 18 miles of groomed classic skiing trails, and Manistee Non-Motorized Park with four miles of classic and skate-style skiing trails. Cross-country ski rental: Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville

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