Ludington & Manistee
Manistee
A Lake Michigan port city where the river meets the lake, with a historic downtown riverwalk, three city beaches and a pierhead light to climb in season.
About 4 miles away (straight line)
Nature preserve · Ludington & Manistee
Magoon Creek Natural Area
A 97-acre Filer Township park south of Manistee with dune and forest trails, a creek, Lake Michigan shoreline and a picnic area.
Magoon Creek Natural Area is a small township park that packs in a lot: forest, open sandy meadows, a creek and about 2,300 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline on 97 acres just south of Manistee.
To find it, take Red Apple Road west from US-31 at the south edge of town; the park is off that road.
Several hiking paths wind over dunes, rolling hills and valleys, so you can make it a short walk or a longer ramble. It is a good half day with kids: explore the trails and the shore, then settle in at the picnic area, which the township lists with tables and grills.
Filer Township manages the park to let the dunes keep developing naturally. Stay on the paths; the dunes are fragile. Deer and turkey live in the woods.
Plan to be out by dark. The park closes shortly after sunset, and overnight parking is not allowed.
Practical information
- Managed by
- Filer Charter Township
- Season
- The township says the park closes shortly after sunset.
- Getting there
- The park is just off Red Apple Road, which heads west from US-31 at the south edge of Manistee.
- Restrooms and water
- A local guide lists latrines and a hand pump for water in summer. These are not on the township's page, so do not count on them.
- Official website
- filertwpmi.gov
Location
Map of Magoon Creek Natural Area
4 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Nearby towns
Also nearby
Straight-line distances, not driving distances.
Beach
First Street Beach
One of Manistee's three city beaches on Lake Michigan, with sugar sand, a free family disc golf course and parking for the riverwalk.
About 4 miles away (straight line)
Lighthouse
Manistee North Pierhead Light
Manistee's 38-foot pierhead light at the end of the north pier. Tower climbs began in 2026; the tower is now listed as closed until May 21, 2027.
About 4 miles away (straight line)
Beach
Fifth Avenue Beach
One of Manistee's three city beaches on Lake Michigan, with a beach house, a playground and the north pier walk to the Manistee North Pierhead Light.
About 4 miles away (straight line)