Kayak Camping the Manistee River - Hodenpyl to Tippy Dam

An overnight paddle from the Hodenpyl Dam to the Tippy Dam, with an overnight stay on the Tippy Dam Pond. This section of river flows with the Manistee River trail through the National Forest.

[@unclebilloutdoors136]

Great trip. My son and I did this same trip several years ago. We split it up into 3 days and 2 nights as We stopped to fish a lot. Spent a third night at the state campground at Tippy Dam. Still probably my favorite trip.

[@BRUjank]

It’s an amazing area, It really is. I’m glad you could enjoy it with your son!! I’m thinking about trying it again here in the next little while with some friends! I can’t stay away! Haha

[@billmitchell7731]

Like number 25. Manastee national forest is huge. I've hunted it many times.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BRUjank]

Lots to explore in the Manistee!! Thanks for watching

[@theresalahring4770]

I have traveled that portion of the Manistee several times. But the first time was the most memorable. It was from the start of the river to the end, thru the manistee channel and landed on the beach. But Hodenpyl to Tippy was a long day of kayak paddling, and when we rounded the pond to turn west to Tippy Dam, in that big bay, there was a storm brewing, dark storm clouds coming right at us with big winds in our face, We survived Ha. It is a beeeeutiful stretch of river

[@BRUjank]

We were aiming for the channel and to end on Lake Michigan as well! We were struggling by the end of this one though, so we had to call it a bit short.. It is absolutely gorgeous though.

[@juicedaninja0001]

Yo, this was awesome. thank you so much for shareing this. From the SW part of Mich we have been looking for more places to kayak including camping involved.

[@BRUjank]

Yea definitely check out tippy pond on the Manistee. Great camping everywhere up there. Au Sable river is also top notch for river camping!

[@tonygrams9469]

good stuff. my cabin 5 min from there

[@BRUjank]

Such an awesome place!

[@raeniconner2667]

Beautiful! Is there parking and access to the Manistee River at the Hodenpyl dam? How far is the paddle from Hodenpyl Dam to the Red Bridge? Are there any difficult or tricky spots on that stretch of river?

[@BRUjank]

The parking at the dam is actually owned by DTE. Not much is posted at the site about parking so we took our chances and we were fine. I know there is a DNR trailhead just up the road that you can for sure park at overnight. The paddle is around four to five hours to my best recollection. There is nothing tricky through this section. Really easy paddle, full of nature.

[@raeniconner2667]

@@BRUjank Thank you!

[@theresalahring4770]

There is parking right at the hodenpyl dam right by the kayak put-in spot. 4 hours to red bridge and another 4 to Tippy.

[@PTwnPrdigy]

Where did you park at tippy dam?

[@BRUjank]

I think for this trip we just left the car in the parking lot at the dam..

[@JaySmith-xs4ki]

What town did u drop in at ? Mesick?

[@BRUjank]

Yes technically it is in Mesick! We put in just below the dam.