Nine Mile Bridge Boat Launch

This is a hand-carry access only — no ramp lanes, no trailer parking. You're putting in canoes and kayaks from a small launch area near the bridge. Don't show up here expecting to drop a bass boat.

The river's shallow enough to wade right in, but there are lost fishing lures scattered under the bridge and along the bottom. Water shoes aren't optional here — learned that one the hard way.

From Nine Mile down to Six Mile Bridge, the river gets gnarly — downed trees, tight bends, not well maintained at all. It's doable if you've got solid paddling skills, but don't bring beginners or small kids on that stretch.

The drive in is surprisingly smooth for a backcountry river access. Good gravel, no confusing turns. The parking area is simple but more than adequate for the handful of cars you'll see here on any given day.

The NCT passes right through here, so you'll occasionally share the spot with hikers. It's a quiet, pretty stretch of the Little Manistee with visible baby steelhead in the shallows — worth lingering even if you're not paddling.