Michigan (#1) -South Manitou Island

Marvelous Michigan
Water, Water, Everywhere!

Swimming, sailing, paddling a canoe, fishing, hiking to waterfalls, boating, kayaking, visiting lighthouses, cruising...If you love being around water as much as I do then Michigan is definitely the place to be.

One of my favorite destinations is South Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This little gem of an island sits 14 miles offshore in Lake Michigan and is accessed via short scenic boat ride from the town of Leland. The quaint little dock area in Leland is nicknamed Fishtown and full of great eateries and gift shops. I highly recommend stopping for ice cream after your return from the island as a reward for experiencing this rustic island.

You can choose to spend just the day or carry camping gear and provisions and stay a night or two or three or more depending on your adventuresome spirit. Regardless, be brave and stay at least two nights so you can take in all this mighty little island has to offer, but don't bring anything with wheels, they won't let you use them!

The island has three camping areas: Bay, Weather Station and Popple. We have camped at Bay, a one mile walk and Weather Station, 2.7 miles. I prefer Bay because it is closer and has a sheltered bay. You are after all packing everything in...and back out again. We never felt adventuresome enough to hike 7.4 miles north to Popple and besides we were told that the poison ivy is taller than the average camper!

The hiking on the island is outstanding though I became suspisious of the stated map trail lengths immediately the first time we camped here. The map stated 10 miles to circle the island along the shore, but one trip out to the Perched Sand Dunes via the Giant Cedars had us convinced that someone had not measured correctly. the hike out to the Wreck of the Morazon is an absolute must, the trip in a kayak is even better.

One oddity of this NO WHEELS island are the motor tours in open backed trucks. This very inexpensive tour takes you past the abandoned buildings where folks once lived. This was a bustling island when ships needed oil and wood, and dairy was one of the main farming operations for a short time.

No trip to the island would be complete until you have climbed the tower of the 1858 South Manitou Lighthouse for a view of the island and Lake Michigan. Rising more than 100 feet the thrill view of the dangerous Manitou Passage. As you have seen, this lovely island warrants a several day visit.