Just a few pictures of us Jeepin' in the Manistee National Forest near Cadillac, MI. These are all on Forest Service Roads (FSR) in the forest.

These trails take you into the heart of the nearly million acre National Forest. It is vital that you be prepared and respect the enviornment you are entering. You are usually miles away from others so help is not readily available. If it is possible, team in pairs of at least two vehicles. We didn't have that luxuary, so we backed out of a few situations where it was possible we could get stuck.

Remember to stay the trail so the rest can enjoy the trails.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/album.php?albumid=486

Cool pictures and sound advice! Thanks for sharing...however...that's one odd looking Patriot! :p

Cool pictures and sound advice! Thanks for sharing...however...that's one odd looking Patriot! :p

It's a Pat on steroids;)

May be heading into that region shortly. How about primitive camping spots? Any entry permits needed? Is bear spray a good idea? Are firearms allowed? Any campfire restrictions? Do the rangers patrol at all? Does it pretty much rain daily at 4:00 PM?
So many questions, so little time.

You should have waited a week and joined us for the Labor Day 5-mile hike across the Big Mac (Mackinac Bridge). Should be high and windy!

May be heading into that region shortly. How about primitive camping spots? Any entry permits needed? Is bear spray a good idea? Are firearms allowed? Any campfire restrictions? Do the rangers patrol at all? Does it pretty much rain daily at 4:00 PM?
So many questions, so little time.

You should have waited a week and joined us for the Labor Day 5-mile hike across the Big Mac (Mackinac Bridge). Should be high and windy!

For a lot of your questions, Google Huron/Manistee National Forest and go to the Forest Service website.

I know primative camping is allowed, but I'm not sure about the permits. There are black bears in the forest, but we did not see one. The only Rangers we saw were at the Forest Service Information Center; they were getting ready to start their day.

We had great weather the days we were up there. 80s and one day of near 90, but it stayed cool on the forest surface. We had no rain.

If you stay of Forest Service Roads, you don't need an Off Highway Vehicle sticker. If you want to venture more, the sticker costs $16.95 and its good till the end of March, I think.

Have fun on your trip!

There are lots of great spots in the national forest. For camping from the Jeep look up Driftwood campground on the west side of the National forest around Ludington. For backpacking you can't beat Hoist Lakes foot travel area near Glennie. Hike in from the west side of the area and stay on shores of Lake Byron it's always less crowded than the actual Hoist Lakes, and better fishing to boot.

A couple links for you to follow up on for information

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQ oY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjBNMD AwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110904&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=main&pname=Huron-Manistee%2520National%2520Forest-%2520Home/index.shtml


http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/eastern/man.htm

Great pics Hoosier :smiley_thumbs_up:

You should have waited a week and joined us for the Labor Day 5-mile hike across the Big Mac (Mackinac Bridge). Should be high and windy!

Did you make it up to Mackinac? My nephew and his wife live in Lake Ann, near Traverse City.

Did you make it up to Mackinac? My nephew and his wife live in Lake Ann, near Traverse City.

Yes we made it. Rather blustery that day but good weather for walking (with the other 7000 people) and bike riding on the island. Here are a couple of pics, the rest are in my user folder. Didn't make it into the Manistee, just drove by as we wanted to get on to the beach in Benton Harbor. We camped in the Upper Peninsula, by the Sault Sainte Marie locks, overlooking Canada. May take the same trip next year and camp on the island.
The cannon on Mackinac Island inspired me to come how and build some working, 1/12 scale, mountain howitzers of my own. (14 so far and counting)

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=527&pictureid=3070
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=527&pictureid=3071
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=527&pictureid=3082
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=524&pictureid=3086
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=527&pictureid=3080

There are lots of great spots in the national forest. For camping from the Jeep look up Driftwood campground on the west side of the National forest around Ludington. For backpacking you can't beat Hoist Lakes foot travel area near Glennie. Hike in from the west side of the area and stay on shores of Lake Byron it's always less crowded than the actual Hoist Lakes, and better fishing to boot.

If you're playing around the Glennie area, try camping at Alcona County Park, the west side is primitive camping. For checking out trails in the area...try Bull Gap. You won't be disappointed. For myself, I prefer the area around West Branch, and the Silver Lake ORV Area. If you can find it, the Fenceline trail has enough challenge for anybody except Rockcrawlers.