How to Visit the Manitou Islands in Michigan
The Manitou Islands, a chain on Lake Michigan including North and South regions, are historic islands with no population, but many visitors. North Manitou Island is nearly eight miles long and over four miles wide, including 20 miles of shoreline and is part of Leelanau County and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. South Manitou Island is about 3 miles long and 3 miles wide and is also part of Leelanau County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In order to get to this fascinating and historical spot, visitors must utilize a ferry service or personally drive a private boat across the water. Both islands are accessible from the ferry, however, most day-trip ferry services go to South Manitou Island and campers or few-day stay visitors will head to North Manitou Island.
On these islands, you will find sand dunes, which are known as the Sleeping Bear Dunes. There are also tons of hiking and camping spots as well as opportunities to see some old growth white cedar trees that date back to over 500 years. Visitors also come here to see the Francisco Morazan shipwreck that can be viewed from the Southwest part of the island.
A ferry service ran by Manitou Island Transit, operates in Leland, Michigan from the Fishtown Dock. A typical ferry ride to Manitou Island takes about an hour and a half, giving passengers time to admire all the scenery. From the ferry, you will see the South Manitou Island Lighthouse, which is one of the more familiar-looking landmarks on the island and one of the most popular.
South Manitou Island
South Manitou Island has a land area of about 8.2 square miles and is smaller in comparison to North Manitou Island. If you are visiting the islands, you are most likely there for a day trip, which will include a ferry ride to the island where you can walk around and explore the history of Michigan. The ferry will typically pick up visitors from Fishtown at 10 a.m. and leave the island around 4 p.m. It is recommended that reservations are made for the busier months in the summertime.
On South Manitou Island, there are opportunities to see the historic Lighthouse, the museum, and the park visitor center. On the nature side of things, there are tons of hiking trails to the dunes and even a wagon tour that loops through the center of the island.
You may also swim on South Manitou Island. This is a very popular activity, especially during the hot summer months. There are miles of shoreline to explore here!
North Manitou Island
North Manitou Island has a land area of about 22 square miles and is the larger of the two islands. The ferry that makes trips to each island does not make day trips to the North Manitou Island, so most visitors here plan to camp for a few nights. This is considered the wilderness portion of the islands, where no campfires are allowed. The islands both should be left just how they were found, reducing pollution and trash around the island. It’s important to preserve these pieces of land that are an important part of Michigan’s history.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Both the South and North portion of the Island are also a part of The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This and the Manitou Islands are part of an old Native legend. The story goes like this: The mother bear Mishe Mokwa and her two cubs traveled along Lake Michigan to escape a forest fire, but only the mother made it across. The two cubs sadly drowned in Lake Michigan, so the Great Spirit covered them with sand to form the two islands. Mother bear now still waits at the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the shore, to meet her two cubs someday again.
The Sleeping Bear Dunes are large sand formations that are explored by visitors on the Manitou Islands. This is one of the main attractions that is on the island for people to explore!
History of the Islands
The Manitou Islands may be a great place to visit and admire the beauty of Michigan, but it is also a super important part of Michigan’s history. Both North and South Manitou were first occupied by Native Americans and were used for hunting and fishing. From here, in the 1800s, these lands were settled by Europeans who used the cordwood as fuel for steamships that were passing through by the Erie Canal.
History of South Manitou Island
In 1838, South Manitou Island was settled by a man named William Burton and developed as a station for steamships to refuel with cordwood on their way towards Chicago.
The South Manitou Island, at one point, was settled by a few Chicago businessmen who built a row of cottages, known as “Cottage Row”. There are no longer any cottages available to stay at on the island, but some of them still remain as a part of history.
From this point on, most of the land on the islands were used for farming and a few years of logging and lumbering. Eventually, the islands went under the management of the Manitou Island Association which ran a hunting camp and huge farming operation.
History of North Manitou Island
North Manitou Island was settled in the mid-1840s by a man named Nicholas Pickard. At this point, much of the land had been already been harvested on South Manitou Island, so they had to outsource. On North Manitou Island, Nicholas Pickard developed a second cord wood station that ran until resources were almost unavailable. After most of the land on the islands had been harvested by cordwood stations, farming became the new main activity. Pickard also built a volunteer Life-Saving Station in 1854 in order to help out ships that may be in danger while on the Manitou Passage. This provided ships with rescue capabilities in case of emergencies and was actually the first one built on The Great Lakes.
Now, the Manitou Islands are places that may be visited by tourists, campers, and families. The population of both parts is zero, but each island is abundant with hiking trails, camping spots, shipwreck views, diving spots, and more. It is most common to visit during summer months, or anywhere from April through August. Most campers stay at the North Manitou Island, and most day trip visitors will go to South Manitou Island.
What to Bring With You for a Day Trip to Manitou Island
If you are planning to visit the Manitou Islands or at least one of them, you will most definitely want to come prepared. Whether you are camping for a few days or just going on a day trip, there are a few essentials that you may not want to forget.
Keep in mind, also, that park passes and camping fees are required and should be purchased beforehand at the island Ranger Stations or in Fishtown before you jump on the ferry.
Here’s a short list of some items you will want to have with you:
Sunscreen
Packed picnic or lunch
Warm clothes
Camping accessories
Sunglasses
Comfortable shoes
Hiking gear
Bathing suits
Insect repellant
It’s super important to remember to take back everything you bring with you and to leave only footprints on the Earth. Everyone must do their part to preserve this part of Michigan’s history so visitors can keep enjoying it for years to come.
Discover More Amazing Michigan Spots
Keep reading by clicking on the posts below. Discover more amazing eco-nail polish trends and Michigan tips and tricks.
Join the Insider’s List
Stay up to date on the latest nail polish trends, exclusive member deals, and get alerts about the newest Northern Apothecary products. Sign up below and follow us on social media for giveaways!
Pin How to Visit Manitou Island in Michigan
