Traverse City Real Estate Blog

#71 Things to Do In Northern Michigan - Traverse City - Grand Traverse Region

The Manitou Islands

In summer, the longer days and starry nights hardly prove adequate for a vacation in Northern Michigan. It pays, to plan ahead and know which locations can truly fill every minute of your time. A trip to the North or South Manitou Islands, a short, but dazzling drive from Traverse City, may be the ultimate destination. Step aboard the Manitou Island Transit, in Leland, and cruise the tossing waves of Lake Michigan. The trip takes one hour to reach North Manitou Island and one and a half hours to reach South Manitou, but don't close your eyes or you'll miss the sugary sands of Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore and the Manitou Passage.

South Manitou

South Manitou Island, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is an uninhabited island that draws visitors for its smooth sandy beaches, sparkling waters and extraordinary northern white cedars. The cedars, known as the Valley of the Giants, stand over 100 feet tall and are considered some of the oldest cedars in the world. The shipwreck, the Francisco Morazon, is a popular destination by boat or snorkel and can occasionally be seen from the beach.

North Manitou

North Manitou Island, the larger of the two, is any nature lover's playground. Hike charted trails, stroll 20 miles of shoreline or consider a camping expedition, but keep in mind, there are no vehicles on the island so campers must ‘hike in' to their sites. Visitors can climb steep dunes, visit a ghost forest (caused by sand shifts) or lounge in the Pot Holes.

Wilderness Spectacular

Visitors to either island have several options. Consider a day trip to South Manitou, which includes four and a half hours on the island. Four open-air vehicles offer guided tours of the island with a bit of history and a feast of scenery. Camping on South Manitou is permitted at three campgrounds: the Bay, Weather Station and Popple. For North Manitou Campers, over 15,000 acres of forest is at their disposal; campers can choose to set up anywhere they please. At both islands, visitors can hike dunes, backpack trails, snorkel shipwrecks and camp. For more information please visit http://www.leelanau.com/manitou/index.html.