The Upper River Road Trailhead was recently created within the Manistee National Forest. It is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail which stretches from New York to North Dakota! Access the NCT or the Manistee River Trail from here. Combine the two trails for a great weekend 20-mile trip.

From M-55 turn north on Highbridge Road to Brethren. At Brethren turn east on Coates Highway. In 7.5 miles turn north on dirt Upper River Road, and the Trailhead is just a few hundred yards farther on the west side of the road.

There is a $3/day or $20/year fee to park at Trailheads in the Manistee National Forest. There is a self-pay station at the Upper River Road Trailhead. Minimum distance required to get the answer to the question about 4 miles. The questions are listed on the entry form, and the question for this hike is on the printable information sheet.

If you would like to take this hike as part of a group, join the Forest Service for the Forest Festival hike on July 3 at 3 pm. Call the Manistee Ranger Station, 231-723-2211, for details.

The map below appears on the printable version, and should be adequate for this short hike, However, if you so desire, you can purchase maps for this section of trail from the North Country Trail Association, 1-866-hikeNCT. Request map "Freesoil Trailhead to Cedar Creek." Also free paper maps of the NCT throughout the entire Manistee National Forest are available from the Baldwin (231-745-4631) or Manistee (231-723-2211) Ranger Districts.