Backpacking - North Manitou Island - Lake Michigan - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Chloe and I took a long weekend backpacking trip around North Manitou Island. Starting off in Leland MI, we took the ferry to the island for a wilderness weekend like no other. Here is our experience.

[@oaksbytheshore]

Beautiful video that captures the joys of North Manitou. If this video inspires you to head to North Manitou, or indeed anywhere UpNorth, consider whether you might want to wear long pants and socks pulled up over your pants legs to avoid ticks - since deer are everywhere, so are ticks, and Lyme disease is easier prevented than cured. Enjoy glorious Michigan!

[@Dioxicate]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing :)

[@BRUjank]

Thanks!

[@buffyvachon8026]

Great video!

[@BRUjank]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@ryanfeit1420]

That automobile graveyard in the woods reminded me of the movie "Wrong Turn". Way too creepy for me. That barn is pretty creepy too lol. It's still absolutely beautiful scenery though.

[@BRUjank]

Haha all on an island too, with no where to run…

[@billmitchell7731]

Like number 7. Great video. What a beautiful place. Love it 👍🏻👍🏻🙏

[@BRUjank]

Thanks Bill! I appreciate the comment.

[@Lake0331]

Absolutely wonderful video! I want to go backpacking there someday. Thank you for sharing

[@BRUjank]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment. You should definitely try to backpack there someday. It’s wonderful!!

[@alanjohnson2613]

That was my last backpacking trip, we headed north from the ferry dock and camped on a high bluff could still see the lake but we were the required distance from the lake if you added the vertical and the horizontal, our lunch was sandwiches from the cheese shop picked up in fishtown (preordered the day before).

[@toddh2000]

Thanks for the video. I love that island. Unfortunately as of the time of me writing this, North Manitou is not currently accessible by ferry. I have scheduled a trip to North, but South is my backup. I really hope north opens back up but we shall see.

[@BRUjank]

No Ferry to North? Oh no. I have not heard of anything going on. Hopefully you can get there! I hear South is very beautiful as well though so hopefully it’s still worth the trip even if you had to resort to plan B!

[@kellyrhoads5629]

Did you find the trail challenging? I have been looking for a cool but fairly flat trail for beginners. I appreciate your video!

[@BRUjank]

No it’s not challenging at all! there is some elevation change on the far north end of the island but it’s not much. thanks for the comment!

[@ahowardlife]

Great minds think alike. We just uploaded our backpacking experience as well. Look like you have a great time!!

[@BRUjank]

We had an awesome time! I will have to check out your video too!! Can’t wait to see it. I love adventures!!

[@alanjohnson2613]

Drinks from the bar?

[@BRUjank]

Yea! Bar on board the boat!