Old US-131 SFCG Boat Launch

Despite being listed as a boat launch, there's no real ramp here — no concrete, no lanes, no trailer parking. This is a carry-in spot at best. You can drag a canoe or kayak down the boardwalk to the river, but forget about trailering anything in.

The boardwalk crosses wetland out to a deck right at the river's edge. It's a nice setup for paddlers who can portage a lightweight boat, but the path wasn't designed for hauling gear. Plan on making a couple trips back to your vehicle.

The lot doubles as trailhead parking for hikers, birders, and road-trippers pulling off Old US-131 for a break. It's rarely packed, but during peak fall color season — mid-October especially — you'll be competing for spots with leaf-peepers who treat this as a scenic overlook.

If you're floating the Manistee in October, this stretch is jaw-dropping. The river corridor lights up and the boardwalk view from the deck is one of the best vantage points in Kalkaska County without climbing anything. Worth timing a paddle trip around it.

They've got outhouse-style restrooms on site. Sometimes they're clean and serviceable, sometimes the smell will chase you right back out. Don't count on them — take care of business before you arrive if you can.