Mead Creek State Forest Campground Boat Launch

You're driving about 5 miles of gravel road to get here. The road's been in decent shape, but it's the kind of place where a flat tire means you're on your own — no cell service except right by the water pump.

The ramp is concrete with a gentle slope, designed primarily for canoes and kayaks on the Manistique River. You can get a small jon boat in here, but don't plan on trailering anything big — the lot only holds about ten vehicles and the single lane won't accommodate large rigs easily.

I'm not exaggerating — the horseflies during the day and mosquitoes at dusk here are on another level, especially July through mid-August. Bring a head net and serious repellent or you will leave early like a lot of people do. The campground is often completely empty because of it.

This place is empty even on Labor Day weekend. Five trailer spots and one lane sounds tight, but I've never seen competition for ramp access here. You're more likely to see butterflies than other boaters.

If you want a quiet put-in on the upper Manistique without fighting weekend traffic at the launches closer to Manistique Lake or Indian Lake, this is your spot. No electricity, no amenities beyond porta-potties, but the river access is solid and you'll have it to yourself.