Backpacking North Manitou Island

In this video I’m headed to Michigan’s North Manitou Island with my good friend Jason Wish. We were also joined by Paul and Chad of UGQ Outdoors and their good friend Chandler. We hiked only about 10 miles total for the weekend. Basically base camped the second day on a beautiful lake in the middle of the 15,000 acre island. Backpacking this adventure was more lightweight backpacking rather than ultralight since we knew the hike was short and the terrain was easy. I highly recommend this hike for newer backpackers or backpackers looking for an easy hike.
Check out Jason Wish - Wishwell Farms / @jasonwish-
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[@ecfeick1]

In the early 90s I went there as part of a BSA high adventure trip. 30 years later still a highpoint. I remember going to the north side of the lake to get water as a storm rolled in. It's a memory I'll never forget, and share with my scouts.

[@krystalmoralee6071]

NMI is my favorite place to go solo for a few days. My phone doesn't work there, no one knows where to find me, and it's so beautiful. I'm bummed they aren't running boats this year!

[@scottplumer3668]

I went in 2017, and my phone worked (sort of) but I wasn't sure whether it was showing Eastern or Central time. I looked at it for a bit and then said "Ah, who gives f***?"

[@Helpmetobethelight]

Short and sweet. I don’t have time to watch a 2 hr you tube video so I appreciate these shorter ones that allow me to escape reality for a bit. Thumbs up!👍🏻

[@uptrail7169]

You guys had awesome campsites and it was nice to see you with Jason for this trip.

[@GearSkeptic]

Oh, yah. The sound of rain on the tent will knock me right out. But also, lest it not be taken for granted: your filming is really professional. Beautiful b-roll with great lighting and framing. Really transports one there with you. An immersive pleasure to watch. Thanks much!

[@LoneCrowAdventures]

Manitou Island is amazing! I've been there several times. Keep up the good work Dan!!!

[@sietskevandiejen9774]

Nice!! I enjoyed watching. Thx for sharing!

[@john_kelley]

Great video! I need to get up there. This is the second of these videos I've watched this week, and I think I need to head north soon.

[@TheRst2001]

That looked so relaxing and enjoyable ! 👍🙂

[@dayhikingforoldies9792]

Sweet video - which has once again lifted my spirits no end, on this dark-dank day in lush ol’ Surrey, England 😬

[@marjiecleveland]

Easy hiking, great weather and beautiful place!

[@daveswank9053]

One of my favorite places! My wife and I did this hike a few years ago.

[@walkingwriter4325]

Great video! Everyone really got to enjoy the hiking and scenery and savor the experience and relax rather than just working their way through it to get to the end. Looks like a good time had by all.

[@jimlee1831]

Cool video! Brought back some great memories. I've been there twice with my brother and my brother and my youngest daughter. If you go back check out the Bourniques' house. It is near the graveyard on the island. An incredible house and still standing. Keep making videos, Dan, I really enjoy them. Started watching your channel since I saw you on the Utah trip on Bryce Newbold's channel.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Thanks for a great video Dan. Take Care

[@JMSONE]

Went here last year for my birthday weekend. Great island and hiking. We ended up hiking and camping on the beach on first 2 nights. Really beautiful place. We also tried finding the area with giant pit/holes but never found the trail path to get there. We just saw it on the map. Cant wait to do it again! Great video!

[@bertman4]

Love those late summer days up by the Great Lakes!

[@buffyvachon8026]

On my bucket list this summer!

[@Jax4umalta]

You were in my backyard. I live about 6 miles from Leland where you got the boat. I can see the islands from my street. If you ever make it back this way let me know. I’ve only been to the islands a few times but they are spectacular so glad you got to experience them.

[@pnwadventuresandgearreview8749]

Looks like a great time Dan good people good fun!

[@katherinenicholas7116]

Looks beautiful! Nice footage. I only follow a few vloggers but it seems they never show much of the camping footage. I think that is part of the fun and appreciate you share that...plus I like too see other people's stuff lol!

[@michaelgrimes5588]

Nice hike my man...looks like you guys had the place to yourself! ....taking the fam to Franconia Notch this weekend....cant wait! Gonna get my boy up his first white mountain 4000 footer..

[@battlement]

LOL, "apparently we found Frank's Farm". I can tell you'd be a riot to camp with. Thanks for the video!

[@DanBecker]

🤣🤣

[@roaming_ren3972]

I’m so jelly. I’m getting ready for my first backpacking trip. Thanks for the vids, they are really helping me.

[@yoaniherrera7776]

I'll definitely be checking this island out next month!!

[@HikeCamp]

Great trip Dan... Very cool place indeed.👍😎

[@LezleysAdventures]

oh that looked a great place for some relaxed hiking and camping

[@davidsawmandave8731]

That sure was a nice relaxing video , the water in the video running was awesome it's the simple things that are really cool

[@vpjohnston]

Been wanting to make a trip here. Thanks for the great video! Nice job on the fish catching too

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Vincent!

[@nschulz5698]

Nice vid & I appreciate the links you placed in the description

[@jennybrandon2393]

Looks like a great time was had by all. Manitou Island is on my backpacking bucket list - if I could just figure out how to bring my dog... thanks for the video!

[@incredibleindigowaters]

There are no dogs allowed because of the Piping Plovers nest and live there, their numbers are limited and they are protected in this specific National Lakeshore. It might be the only national lakeshore that it is actually reinforced no dogs allowed. They ground nest, and NorthManitou is the one of the largest breeding centers for them in the country. It is very important to respect ‘no dog’ rules in parks even if you do not understand why. There is always a reason.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

I like seeing you switch it up from hammock to tent. I think it’s fun to switch it up from time to time. Those views are so beautiful. The lake was really cool and the sunset was beautiful. Great trip my friend. Really cool 👍

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Jason! I can’t wait to get out on a hike with you sometime! Open invitation here in Wisconsin :-)

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Dan Becker soon my friend. Very soon. Ice age trail?

[@JeremiahStringer]

What an amazing trip. Awesome fishing too? My wonderland!!!

[@DanBecker]

Get ur butt to Wisconsin!

[@cb7172]

North Manitou Island....175 miles south of Manitou island. Great video, looks like a nice place to hike and camp

[@RainyDayForge]

Looks like a nice place to take a stroll.

[@shiftinggears5870]

Beautiful!

[@inkblots-life1111]

Awesome video. I love seeing the spots you hike in Upper Michigan and Wisconsin. I live 30 min south of green bay Wisconsin and its great to see all the options. Plus no bears there 🌲🤙🏼✌🏼

[@paddle_hike]

Nice place to hike!!!! Great video

[@matthewdavis3505]

Backpacked there growing up in MI!! Trying out the TigerWall UL3 this week for 2 and a dog, have loved my UL2 for 1 and a dog. Will have to look into the UGQ quilt looks nice

[@BenMcmillen]

Place looks awesome!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Good stuff Dan!

[@youwild4432]

Awesome video as always Dan! I need to get out outside!

[@brent7390]

Feel free to move to Michigan. We need more drummers here! and think of the backpacking!!! another great vid.

[@lonniekruse5562]

im so happy to see you doing what we love ..yes what we love,,, Lol... thank you

[@berniperrong1009]

Great video! Thanks for posting! Omg! The Office! You totally look like “Jim”!

[@DanBecker]

I get told that at LEAST once daily!

[@cjoutdooradventures4896]

Awesome Dan! Hope to hit it next summer or when my boys can carry their own bag! Stop being more Michigander than me!

[@thebrizzy]

Easy hike by the water is my fave. I’ll have to take a trip up north.

[@fortyoneshades]

North Manitou is a beautiful island! The only challenge is the no campfires rule. Hard to hang with your buddies at night around the campsite and not have a campfire!

[@dcook631]

bought a Soto Windmaster because of you and do NOT regret it! Absolutely amazingly little stove

[@DanBecker]

Awesome!! What’s hilarious is that when I get notifications for comments only part of the comment shows up at first. It said ‘Bought a Soto Windmaster because of you and do NOT’ I was so nervous the rest was going to say ‘like it!!!’ 🤣🤣🤣🤣 i’m glad it says that you don’t regret it! And yes it is a amazing stove! Glad it worked out for you!

[@redstedman]

Great videos. I hike camp fish hunt all over da U P and a little in Wisconsin. Thanks.

[@TomBryan]

Looks like fun.

[@Z0MB13Redfield]

Dude I'm jealous. That looks like one amazing hiking location. If you ever do a hike in Utah you should check out Red Castle. It has an awesome lake with a veiw too.

[@caseysr.sectionhiker8372]

Those off the lake breezes look pretty good right now. Probably 103-110*F here in the sunny California low lands. It's likely only 5-8*F cooler in nearby Sierras ('5500'-8400' elevations). Nothing says "camping" like the silhouettes of black flies on the outside of a tent, unless it's mosquitos on the inside of the tent & usually it's both around here.

[@garymaple3387]

Uhhg it's just to much fun, I'm going to get a kit together. Look out for my future blog.

[@yomomma9815]

Very cool, Dan!! Come on down to NC and get in the Linville Gorge with us!

[@DanBecker]

Julian Lorefice still trying to figure out how to pronounce your last name 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@yomomma9815]

Dan Becker hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!

[@mclureshane]

Great video

[@ThunderLips730]

Pretty dope moon/water shot at 5:12 I like it

[@anitavaughn1968]

Amazing

[@selenajones1712]

Hey Dan great time it looks like y'all boys had ,, ,,,,,,swamp gal here,, I'm going to check out U G Q

[@HuckOutdoors]

Looks like a cool area bud! That sound of the rain on the tent is so relaxing! What did they catch fishing? I need to make it to the great lakes. Maybe Isle Royale National Park

[@DanBecker]

Jason if you ever go to Isle Royale let me know! They caught tons of bass. But someone did bring salmon from Lake Michigan that they caught couple weeks earlier. That’s what they were cooking.

[@ColemanOutdoors]

WOW! That was something!!! What a great little trip. BP and fishing on a lake inside another lake...does it get any better than that??? Too bad there wasn't another island on that little lake that also had a little lake that you could fish. It'd be like the Turducken of backpacking trips. Okay....life goals...find Turducken lake and fish it! Go!

[@chadwillms1849]

Cool ranch is good

[@gt5228z]

Love the vid Dan! I hate to critique it but I gotta correct you on one thing. The East coast of lake Michigan is known to be VERY sandy. The reason that stretch of beach was rocky has to do with the fact that it was on the east side of the island. Sand is a product of erosion. In lake Michigan, like the weather, sand erodes from west to east. Lake Huron on the Michigan side is rocky, unlike the Canadian side for the very same reason. I hope you got to see the mainland part of sleeping bear dunes, here you'll see practically more sand than anywhere else in the Midwest! Pretty much the whole west coast of Michigan is golden sandy beautiful and clean beaches. Again im soooo happy to have seen this vid and hope to see you in my neck of the woods again!

[@Tgauchsin]

I love when my phone tells me you posted a new video. You are down to earth. Not a overbearing gram nazi. You really come across as someone who wants to enjoy the trip and the experience. How long of a hike did this trip end up being? I would love to take a few older scouting friends, but they are all in their 60s/70s. They would love this but not massive mileage. Im low 30s but man these older guys have some awesome stories and experience to share!

[@DanBecker]

Thanks for that! Honestly, this would be a perfect place for you guys. The hiking was extremely easy. And you can camp anywhere you like so you can keep the mileage to any distance. If you wanted to camp at lake Manitou like we did, the lake isn’t too far, maybe 4-5 miles at most. The only issue would be the time of year that you go. Bugs can get pretty nasty there. Especially the flies along the water.

[@kmazzanti]

Thank you!! I know a chair is your luxury item, me too! Do you know what kind your tagalong buddy was using?

[@TransylvanianHiker]

"Good song to sleep to" - totally agree!

[@DanBecker]

I love rain hitting my tent!

[@corbinarnold5998]

video seems very profeshinal

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Corbin!

[@marathonsixactual4470]

I’ve done this island 3 times. You were pretty close to where the junk cars are grown into the forest, just north of the interior lake.

[@DanBecker]

I saw them! Very cool

[@felipecastellon4740]

I never new that island was there. Maybe one day. I just got rid of my noisy x-light and got the regular Nemo tensor insulated. Love it. I'm thinking of getting a pillow that is not air pillow. Any recommendations?

[@DanBecker]

Zpacks sells a dry bag that you can fill with clothing and it doubles as a pillow. zpacks.com/products/medium-pillow

[@TRPufnStuf]

Good stuff. I have stage 4 cancer that is stable. I am getting to a point where I can do more now. You have inspired me to start hiking. Gotta start small but I love your videos and have learned a lot. I'll be starting with short overnighters and hopefully work my way up to longer treks. Thank you. I always look forward to more inspiration from you.

[@DanBecker]

Wow!!! So sorry!!!! Praying for you!!!!!! God is a healer!!!!!!

[@PMCraig]

I’m in the same boat as you. Stage 4 for nearly 12 years. Last backpack trip was 2 years ago on Isle Royals. It was tough but made it the length of the island. Monthly chemo over the last couple of years is kicking my butt however I still get out for day hikes. I also get out for some motorcycle camping as my bike doesn’t care how heavy my gear is! No one imagined I’d be around this long so every day is a blessing from God! Best wishes and prayers for health...

[@TRPufnStuf]

@@PMCraig prayers for you. Thanks for sharing.

[@10mmseb]

Hope you’re doing well

[@grinch5x04]

Love your videos, Dan!!! I know you've probably said somewhere on other videos, but what do you use to lash your water bottle to the front of your pack?

[@DanBecker]

grinch5x04 its an Aqua Clip. You can find it at Zpacks.com

[@incredibleindigowaters]

Those slugs are everywhere on North Manitou i swear! XD

[@TheAdventuresofEli]

Great Video! Counting the days tell i go camping again! Really enjoy the rain at night, knocks me out as long.. as there is no flash flooding. Thats no fun waking up in a flooded tent. Beautiful days it looks like and weather i’m sure felt wonderful. Whats the temp there? Makes for some easy hiking for sure.

[@DanBecker]

Temperatures were in the mid70s to low 80s. Wasn’t bad at all!

[@TheAdventuresofEli]

Dan Becker thats perfect weather! That beats the heat wave we are having here in Texas.. 100+ everyday for the last week

[@biscuitblanco5599]

Another great video, Dan! I’m curious to know how you’ve set up your GNOC Vecto and Sawyer Squeeze to gravity feed like you have. I’m looking to do something similar but I’m lost on what pieces to buy. Any help you can offer is appreciated. -Biscuit

[@DanBecker]

Thank you biscuit! I actually bought a Sawyer squeeze system from Walmart and it came with all of the items in the video. I just tried searching Amazon for it but can’t find it. Essentially all you need is the sawyer coupler and a hydration tube.

[@biscuitblanco5599]

Dan Becker Thanks brother. I’ll take a look next time I’m at Wally World.

[@nathanaelkolb4024]

Hey Dan, Did you guys make it the west side of the island? The views and dunes are incredible.

[@DanBecker]

My friend Jason did but the rest of us did not. I stayed with the other guys. They had some pretty heavy gear and didn’t want to hike that far!

[@JamesGoodwinCo]

Hey Dan, what is your longest hike/adventure? I’m going to attempt NZ Te Araroa trail next year - my wife said I can go (long time away from kids) - (four months). It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but I’ve actually never backpacked before... any advice?

[@robpelton]

Ooh. Nemo Tensor! I’m looking at it currently. What’s your opinion and thoughts on it so far? Wish I could’ve made this trip. Looked like an amazing time. Cheers.

[@DanBecker]

I absolutely love it! I seriously sleep almost as good as I do in a hammock while I’m on that pad!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Noticeable lack of music. Was strangely refreshing.

[@stonehill27]

Nature looks like southern parts of Sweden.

[@TylerCampbellOutdoors]

How do you like the Nemo tensor insulated pad? I have considered that pad, but was unsure about insulation due to no listed r value. I, too, typically hammock camp, but need a pad for hopefully some trips out west in the next couple of years. Thanks for the information. I enjoy your channel. I just recently started a channel myself.

[@DanBecker]

Hi Tyler! I love that pad! I’ve had it down to 35°F and really had no issues with being cold. They do sell a tensor alpine but that is a four season sleep pad. I’ll check out your channel!

[@TylerCampbellOutdoors]

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it.

[@jonathanjessop9977]

What was the approximate date range when you visited the island? I assume early to mid summer? How were the bugs? I like how it was light out so late into the evening. Sometimes getting to camp and getting set up before dark is a challenge, so that’s appealing. Lol

[@DanBecker]

August I believe

[@jonathanjessop9977]

@@DanBecker Thanks! Were the mosquitoes/black flies not too bad? Didn’t get that impression from the video. Looks like you had a really nice time.

[@DanBecker]

Not really. But it was pretty windy. They definitely are there in summer

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

Dan, did you guys hike North from the dock toward the village campground, or South toward the apple orchard the first day?

[@DanBecker]

Johnny Apple Seed north!

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

@@DanBecker 👍👍

[@davesnelling3436]

Hey Dan - great video. Do you have a map of your route? There seemed to be a lot of packers when you got off the ferry, is this a registered trip?

[@DanBecker]

Hi Dave! I don’t have a map of our actual hike, sorry. But we mainly stayed on the west portion of the island. We did hit the central portion to stay at Manitou lake. The only thing you need to register for is the ferry to and from. You can camp anywhere you like on the island for the most part.

[@davesnelling3436]

Thanks! I run a senior scout group in Ontario and looking for more multi-site hiking trips. This video just got the brainstorming into overdrive!

[@j.k.7595]

With all that grass did you have any problems with ticks? Great video!

[@nathanaelkolb4024]

Ticks with Lyme are an issue on the North island. One study a few years back found that 40% of the ticks on NM carried Lyme. No deer on the south island so not as bad.

[@DanBecker]

Thanks!! No I did not have any issues with any bugs. I did have permethrin on my close and used Picaridin lotion.

[@JimmyTidmore]

Dan, Enjoy your videos. It’s nice to have a normal guy with a family doing normal trips. I like several of the other KZbinrs who do hiking/backpacking videos too and have learned a lot from them, but it is hard for me to relate to a lot of the stuff they are doing because their world and mine (and the sort of hiking they do) are just so different. Anyway, specific question for you about the inReach mini. I’m wondering what sort of tracking settings you use and what kind of battery life you are getting with those settings. Do you leave it on all the time while you’re out? At night? I have a four day hike coming up in about a month and a half. It will be my first trip with the inReach and I’m trying to decide how I want to use it. Again, thanks for the videos. Grace and peace to you and your family.

[@DanBecker]

Hi Jimmy! Thanks for the kind words! As far as the inreach goes… I really don’t use the tracking on it at all. Or at least very little. I mainly use it to keep in contact with my family via text. I do use an app called Gaia GPS on my iPhone that will track my progress. But if you’re looking for something that will track your progress and update it online then the inreach will do that. I keep my phone in low power mode. My phone battery will last about 36 hours or so before I need to charge it. The inreach will last an entire weekend. So if you’re going for four days I would definitely expect to charge the devices at least once.

[@JimmyTidmore]

Dan Becker Gotcha. The trip I’ve got coming up is going to be a solo trip, so I’m planning to have the inReach send position updates at some interval... just in case and because my wife says so :) Based on what Garmin publishes, I should be fine to leave it on for the duration of the trip, maybe charging it once, but sometimes what is published versus reality are two different things. That’s why I was checking to see if you had any real world numbers with tracking turned on. Low power mode on the iPhone is a really helpful feature. The inReach has something similar I may use too. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond. Look forward to more videos.

[@natelee78]

It looks like you didn't make it to the West side of the island?! Did you get to see the old car graveyard?

[@DanBecker]

Yes! It was really cool! I think they were part of a logging company

[@theshopwoodworking2749]

Accidentally hit the dislike before I found the correct button 😂 love the videos! I'm headed to Algonquin Park in a few weeks and have been loving all your packing and gear videos! Huge help when deciding what to invest in to make the experience great 👌🏼 Keep up the good work!

[@bonsaitreehouse5534]

Chipmunks are the silent killers. Watch out. But otherwise, it looks like a great time.

[@jennybrandon2393]

bonsai treehouse chipmusks aka mini bears

[@brentthebloodhound]

Did you like using that water filter?

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

Dan Becker this video reminded me that I’ve not done this sort of thing in far too long!!! Also. I tagged you in my recent vid. I would be HONOURED if you swung by and had a look. If not, that’s fine and I hope you have the best day!

[@DanBecker]

Awesome!! Send me an email if you don’t mind [e-mail]

[@moose8128]

What is that water bottle holder you are using?

[@DanBecker]

Aqua Clip. You can get it from Zpacks.com

[@moose8128]

@@DanBecker Thanks!

[@michaelbrohl1625]

Sshhhh.... don't tell too many people about the Manitou Islands. It can be our little secret.

[@DanBecker]

🤣

[@mrkinetic]

I was just there 8/16-8/18.

[@DanBecker]

🙌🙌

[@MB-cj8cu]

Interesting that you mentioned The Office. Has anyone told you that you look like John Krasinski?

[@omglolwots]

Most of the Michigan side of Lake Michigan is soft sand, my dude. I have no idea what you're talking about in terms of rocks. That's a Wisconsin-side thing. The Manistee-Huron just north of Ludington has some great campsites in Nordhouse Dunes. It's dispersed camping, but it does get busy on the weekend sometimes. It's not a hard hike whatsoever, but it's gorgeous... and has no rocks. It's also not THAT far from the NCT.

[@fortyoneshades]

Yep. Soft sand down the entire west coast of Michigan. Rocks are on the east side, as they are on the east side of Wisconsin along the lake.

[@davidguthrie5941]

The chipmunks of North Manitou are psychopaths'.

[@john-davidchambers2496]

👍

[@lauras2378]

We went to South Manitou Island the last week in July. The bugs were so terrible. Everyone said that North Manitou wasn’t as bad. We will go back and try North next time! Thankfully we only live in Traverse City so it’s not a far drive!

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

Which campground did you stay in?...Or were the bugs just bad everywhere on the Island?

[@MillimeterMech]

We stayed at Popple campground in July site #7. It had a nice breeze that kept the bugs away . Repellent was needed only in the green tunnels, but once you were on trails or at the farms you were good. We found that the bugs were far worse at Bay campground as we hiked back to the Dock. Each island has its charms. Just remember you are in the bush. My wife and I have hiked both islands for 20 years and have frequently found people are not quite prepared for rustic camping.

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

Appreciate your reply......I was there back in June, and stayed at the Bay Campground for an overnighter.....We're going back very soon, so I was trying to get a idea on the current conditions at the various camp spots....It was very rainy the last time, bugs were mild, but with the heavy rain and cool weather, it was hard to tell.

[@DanBecker]

We heard the exact same thing from the people working the ferry while we were on our way to the North Island! And the bugs were just fine on North. Hardly any!

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

@@DanBecker Sounds good, Dan...I might switch up the itinerary a bit....Thx!

[@claytonarmstrong9673]

Love your vids, always good! Just a minor bit of constructive feedback, as this tends to come up quite often... can you please check what “borrow” means. You use the word quite a bit across your vids, but it doesn’t mean lend/loan. Genuinely only mentioning to try to be helpful, not trying to be a smart a***. Love your work!

[@jflow53569]

You are still using borrowed wrong! Someone borrows some equipment from you. You loan some equipment to someone. Borrow - to take or obtain with the promise to return the same or an equivalent. Ex. "Our neighbor borrowed my tent." Loan - the act of lending; a grant of the temporary use of something. Ex. "I loaned my tent to our neighbor."

[@DanBecker]

🤣🤣 story of my life!!

[@jflow53569]

@@DanBecker I have been watching your videos and others for a long time now. They have helped tremendously in figuring out what gear that I think I will need without going overboard.