The inaugural Manistee Hike & Kayak Adventure is officially in the books, and what an incredible weekend it was!
As the first event of its kind for the West Michigan Kayaking Club, members came together to experience an unforgettable combination of hiking, kayaking, camping, and fellowship in the heart of the Manistee National Forest. With an outstanding turnout and perfect summer weather, this adventure exceeded every expectation and has already earned its place as one of our signature annual events.
The Adventure Begins
Our day started early at Hodenpyl Dam, where participants dropped off their kayaks before shuttling back to Red Bridge River Access. After everyone arrived, we held a brief safety meeting, went over the day’s logistics, and began our approximately 10-mile hike north along the scenic Manistee River Trail.
The trail challenged us with rolling hills, wooded ridges, winding river views, and breathtaking overlooks. Throughout the hike, members encouraged one another, stopped to enjoy the scenery, and shared plenty of laughs along the way. It was the perfect reminder that adventure is always better when experienced together.
By late morning, we reached Hodenpyl Dam, where everyone enjoyed a well-earned lunch overlooking the river. It was a great opportunity to relax, refuel, and prepare for the next stage of our journey.
From Hiking Boots to Kayaks
After lunch, we traded hiking boots for paddles and launched our kayaks below Hodenpyl Dam for the return trip to Red Bridge.
Paddling the beautiful Manistee River offered a completely different perspective of the landscape we had just explored on foot. Towering pines, crystal-clear water, abundant wildlife, and the gentle current created an unforgettable paddle through one of Michigan’s most scenic river corridors.
Experiencing the same stretch of wilderness from both the trail and the river made this truly a one-of-a-kind adventure—exactly what the West Michigan Kayaking Club is all about.
Campfire Conversations
After returning to Red Bridge River Access, many members stayed to camp for the evening.
As memorable as the hike and paddle were, some of the best moments happened around camp. New friendships were formed, stories from past adventures were shared, and plans for future trips were already taking shape. Members exchanged paddling tips, hiking experiences, and plenty of laughs around the campfire.
One of the greatest strengths of our club is the community we’ve built. People often arrive knowing only a few faces and leave feeling like they’ve gained an entire group of adventure partners.
Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us
We want to thank everyone who participated in making this inaugural event such a tremendous success. Your enthusiasm, teamwork, preparedness, and commitment to safety helped create an experience that none of us will soon forget.
Events like these are possible because of members who are willing to help with shuttle logistics, encourage one another on the trail, lend a hand when needed, and embrace the spirit of adventure.
Thank you for making history with us.
Looking Ahead
The response to this year’s event was overwhelming, and we’re excited to announce that the Manistee Hike & Kayak Adventure is now an official annual tradition of the West Michigan Kayaking Club.
The Second Annual Manistee Hike & Kayak Adventure is already scheduled for May 21–23, 2027!
Mark your calendars and get ready for another unforgettable weekend of hiking, kayaking, camping, and making new friends in one of Michigan’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Whether you joined us this year or are planning to experience this unique adventure for the first time, we’d love to have you with us.
Be sure to follow the West Michigan Kayaking Club Facebook page to stay informed about all of our 2027 hiking, kayaking, kayak camping, backpacking, and outdoor adventure events. Our Facebook Events page is the best place to find upcoming trips, reserve your spot, and connect with fellow members before each adventure.
If you’d like to join our community, simply send Brad or Tim a message and we’ll add you to our community group chat, where we coordinate trip details, answer questions, and keep everyone updated.
Whether you’re looking for your first overnight paddle, a challenging endurance hike, a weekend kayak camping trip, or simply a great group of people who love exploring Michigan’s wild places, there’s a place for you in the West Michigan Kayaking Club.
We can’t wait to see where the next adventure takes us.
See you on the river—and on the trail!
About West Michigan Kayaking Club
Founded in 2020, the West Michigan Kayaking Club is a volunteer-run community dedicated to promoting safe, active outdoor recreation throughout Michigan. We organize weekend kayaking trips, endurance paddles, backpacking adventures, hiking challenges, kayak camping expeditions, and river stewardship projects for outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels.
Our mission is simple:
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
Join us and discover why thousands of outdoor enthusiasts have made West Michigan Kayaking Club their home for adventure.
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