About Manistee County — Land For Sale

Along Lake Michigan’s shoreline and the namesake river, Manistee County blends harbor‑town convenience with big public‑land access. City of Manistee anchors services and launches, while inland villages connect to the Huron‑Manistee National Forests, the Manistee River corridor and trail systems just off US‑31/M‑55.

Land & Lifestyle at a Glance

Hunting & Recreation — Classic northwoods edge: aspen regen and oak/maple ridges meet cedar/spruce lowlands and beaver ponds. Deer, grouse and woodcock are staples; salmon/steelhead runs are a bonus. Access is excellent across HMNF blocks, DNR sites and county parks.

Waterfront & Lakes/Rivers — Parcels range from Lake Michigan bluff/sand‑beach frontage to inland lakes and long river bends on the Big Manistee. Bottoms vary from firm sand/cobble to marl in coves—know high‑water/bluff‑stability setbacks on big water and floodplain on river lots.

Farm & Tillable — Productive sandy loams on the highs with heavier pockets in drain bottoms. Field shapes vary; tiling/ditching, culvert capacity and all‑season drives matter for modern equipment.

Timber & Habitat — Northern hardwoods with white/red pine are common; aspen/jack pine in mixed stands and cedar/tamarack in drainages. Many tracts show select‑cut history—room for trails, TSI and tucked plots along upland knobs.

Cabin/Residential — Year‑round county roads reach most homes; seasonal two‑tracks are common near state/federal ground. Electric typically at the road; wells/septic after a passing perc. Faster internet clusters near the city/corridors; remote tracts lean on fixed‑wireless or satellite.

Public Land & Nearby Recreation

• Orchard Beach State Park — Lake‑view campground and bluff‑top trails three miles north of town.

• Tippy Dam Recreation Area — Year‑round rustic camp, trails and famed fishing on the Manistee backwaters.

• Manistee River Trail (USFS) — 8.8 miles of singletrack along the east bank with a suspension‑bridge connector to the North Country Trail.

• Arcadia Dunes — C.S. Mott Nature Preserve — 15+ miles of hiking/MTB through perched dunes and hardwoods on the county’s south end.

• Visit Manistee County — Trails & Water — Local trip planning for launches, trailheads and seasonal reports.

Prefer privacy with more to roam? Parcels abutting national‑forest blocks or stretching along quieter river reaches do come up—ask about current availability.

Local Tips from a Michigan Land Specialist

• Perc & soils: Upland sands/loams often pass; cedar/muck flats may need engineered systems—order a current perc.
• Frontage quality: On Lake Michigan or high‑bank river parcels, confirm bluff stability, ordinary high‑water lines and setbacks; on inland lakes/creeks, verify bottom type and floodplain.
• Timber roads: Stabilize wet crossings with geotextile and culverts; loop trails help you hunt the wind without bumping bedding cover.
• Winter access: Assume seasonal forest roads are unplowed; plan for snow machine or tracked‑UTV access on deeper tracts.
• Utilities/internet: Confirm electric at the road; fastest service sits near Manistee and along US‑31/M‑55.

FAQs — Manistee County

What makes land for sale in Manistee County, Michigan appealing? Lake Michigan frontage, a marquee river corridor and deep public‑land access—plus a working harbor town—create four‑season value for cabins, homes and mixed‑use tracts.

Is rural acreage “buildable”? Generally yes with township approval and a passing perc. Expect driveway/culvert permits and added shoreline/bluff considerations on Great Lakes parcels.

Where can I launch a boat or paddle? DNR and municipal sites in Manistee, plus HMNF access along the Manistee; Tippy Dam and Orchard Beach offer additional facilities.

What parcel sizes are typical? 10–20 acre cabin sites, classic 40–80 acre hunting pieces, larger 80–160+ acre timber tracts and select lake/riverfront lots.

Can I get reliable internet? Best near the city and main corridors; remote tracts often rely on fixed‑wireless or satellite.

Talk to a Michigan Land Specialist — contact us

Helpful resources: Michigan DNR hunting rules & regulations • MSU Extension Home Soil Test kit • District Health Dept. #10 — wells & septic • Manistee County Road Commission — permits