This beautiful Up North riverwalk leads right to a Lake Michigan beach

May 25, 2023

The Manistee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile accessible trail along the Manistee River Channel that connects downtown to the city's popular Lake Michigan beach and park complex.Tanda Gmiter | [email protected]

MANISTEE, MI – There's a beautiful riverwalk Up North that leads right to a sandy Lake Michigan beach.

The Manistee Riverwalk connects Manistee's downtown to the lakefront where there are pavilions, playgrounds, sports fields, a dog park, a boat launch, a fish cleaning station – and a picturesque beach. Along the way, there are views of the river, boats and bridges, and you might even see a freighter traversing the channel.

The Manistee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile accessible trail along the Manistee Channel that connects downtown to the city's popular Lake Michigan beach and park complex.Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Parts of the walk are atop a break wall and feature community gardens and benches. Other sections are made of wooden decking, with some parts built over the water. Overhanging trees create welcome shade.

Built in the 1990s, the 1.5-mile trail begins near the intersection of US-31 and River Street and runs along the Manistee River Channel behind shops and restaurants. There are several access points along the way, including six that are barrier-free. The riverwalk itself is accessible from start to finish – there are no stairs or curbs.

The Manistee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile accessible trail along the Manistee Channel that connects downtown to the city's popular Lake Michigan beach and park complex.Justine Lofton | [email protected]

In addition, the riverwalk is part of "The Stee" social district, which means alcoholic beverages can be bought at downtown restaurants and shops and enjoyed on the riverwalk from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The riverwalk provides access to marinas, charter fishing, motels, restaurants and shops. Historical signage by the Manistee County Historical Museum is placed throughout the route.

RELATED: Northern Michigan beach town's riverwalk to get nearly $1M facelift

The Manistee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile accessible trail along the Manistee Channel that connects downtown to the city's popular Lake Michigan beach and park complex.Justine Lofton | [email protected]

In 2022, the city of Manistee received an $850,000 federal grant to upgrade the riverwalk with rain gardens, art and cultural displays, and universal accessibility. The city's downtown development authority is contributing $240,000 for a total of $990,000. About one mile of the trail, from US-31 to Spruce Street will be updated with PVC decking, new light poles and fixtures, a new ADA compliant sidewalk at the Manistee Municipal Marina, art and cultural displays, and decorative wraps on transformer boxes, among other things.

The art plaza and rain gardens will be located behind the West Shore Community College downtown campus between Maple and Oak streets.

Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2024.

The Manistee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile accessible trail along the Manistee Channel that connects downtown to the city's popular Lake Michigan beach and park complex.Justine Lofton | [email protected]

RELATED: Lake Michigan beachfront hotel plans early summer opening, taking reservations

Construction abounds in Manistee. A new Hampton Inn & Suites is set to open this summer across from First Street Beach. On the other end of the riverwalk, a huge multi-million-dollar development known as Spirit of the Woods Manistee Gateway Project is on pause as the owners re-evaluate their plans.

RELATED: Northern Michigan downtown development ‘on pause’ as tribe reinvents multi-million-dollar project

In the meantime, the riverwalk is open for all to enjoy. The trail ends at the stub pier at Douglas Park/First Street Beach.

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