Population25,032 (2020 Census)
Riverfront Strolls, Museum Ships and Coastal Trails
Manistee County, MichiganManistee County offers a mix of Lake Michigan scenery, riverfront dining and small-community discoveries. Walk beside the river in downtown Manistee, plan a museum-ship tour or explore the coastal wetlands near Arcadia. Inland and along the shore, libraries, shops and trails provide additional stops for a day out. This guide also gathers school information, county offices, hospital contacts and transportation resources for residents and visitors planning everyday errands and local experiences.
Manistee County at a Glance
Population25,032 (2020 Census)
County SeatManistee
Largest MunicipalityManistee (6,259; 2020 population within county)
Established1840; organized in 1855
ZIP Codes15 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area1,280.7 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS-31, M-22, M-55 and M-115
Area Codes231
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Manistee County
Manistee County
Created in 1840 and organized in 1855, Manistee County has a history closely connected with its rivers and Lake Michigan shore. The S.S. City of Milwaukee preserves a railroad-ferry chapter of Great Lakes transportation, while downtown Manistee’s riverwalk brings visitors alongside the working channel and established business district. Beyond the city, communities such as Arcadia, Bear Lake, Kaleva and Onekama provide their own libraries and gathering places. Protected wetlands and woodland trails offer another way to understand the county’s distinctive landscape.
Residents and visitors find different combinations of services in Manistee, Onekama, Bear Lake, Kaleva, Arcadia and the inland townships. Confirm school districts, utilities and transit coverage using your address. County libraries provide indoor activities and useful everyday resources. Outdoor planning requires attention to seasonal access: some gates close for winter, boardwalk sections protect nesting birds, and bluff parks may not offer shoreline access. Check current conditions before combining a trail visit with shopping, dining or a museum tour.
What Shapes Us
Riverfront Discoveries
Downtown Manistee’s riverwalk connects the channel with shops and restaurants, giving visitors a setting for an easy stroll between local stops and waterfront views.
Coastal Habitats
Arcadia Marsh offers a close view of coastal wetlands from its boardwalk, with seasonal restrictions that protect nesting birds and a rule prohibiting dogs.
Maritime Stories
The S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia preserve Great Lakes transportation and service history, with seasonal tours and special events requiring advance planning.
Follow the river, discover the coast, stay for more.
Around Manistee County
Around Manistee County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Manistee County Library
RFBs for Elevator
MCL Website Announcement for RFB Elevator Project Management Bid Proposal for Elevator Replacement
Read the Story Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Manistee County
Stories from every corner of Manistee County.
RFBs for Elevator
MCL Website Announcement for RFB Elevator Project Management Bid Proposal for Elevator Replacement
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Campfire Stories for Adults
October 19, 6:30 p.m. at The Outsider October 26, 6:30 p.m. at The Outsider Campfire Stories for Adults…
Oct 5, 2026 • 2 min read
After-School Art Crew
Oct 21, 3:00 PM at Manistee Main School-age kiddos (K-12 & siblings) are invited to partake in some…
Oct 4, 2026 • 2 min read
Baby Play Club
Wednesdays at 10 am at Manistee Main Branch Join us for some baby socialization, storytime, and fun songs.…
Oct 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Preschool Playgroup
Preschoolers and their families are invited to come into the library to play. We’ll bring out fun toys…
Oct 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Manistee County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — Official county office information, contacts and services.
County Clerk — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Treasurer — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Register of Deeds — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Equalization Department — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Manistee Intermediate School District — Regional education and special education resources.
Manistee Area Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Bear Lake Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Onekama Consolidated Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital — Hospital on East Parkdale Avenue in Manistee; consult the provider for services and visitor information.
Public Safety
Manistee County Sheriff — County law enforcement contacts and services.
Manistee County Emergency Medical Service — County EMS information and administrative contacts; call 911 for emergencies.
Michigan State Police — State law enforcement contacts and resources.
DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor regulations.
Michigan local emergency management directory — Official county emergency management contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
Manistee County Emergency Medical Service — County EMS information and administrative contacts; call 911 for emergencies.
District Health Department #10 — Manistee — Public health and environmental health services for Manistee County.
Centra Wellness Network — Public community mental health provider serving Manistee and Benzie counties.
National Weather Service Gaylord — Official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Orchard Beach State Park — Bluff views, camping and woodland trails near Manistee; the park no longer provides beach access because of erosion.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Orchard Beach State Park — Bluff views, camping and woodland trails near Manistee; the park no longer provides beach access because of erosion.
Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve — Coastal marsh boardwalk near Arcadia; no dogs, and the central section closes seasonally for nesting birds.
Arcadia Dunes — Nature preserve spanning Manistee and Benzie counties; select a trailhead and follow the conservancy’s activity rules.
Manistee Riverwalk — Riverside walking through downtown Manistee; check city information for access and maintenance updates.
Magoon Creek and Sundling Park — Lake Michigan shoreline and woodland recreation; vehicle access at Magoon Creek is seasonal and overnight stays are not allowed.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility account and outage information within its service territory.
DTE Energy — Utility account and outage information within its service territory.
District Health Department #10 — Manistee — Public health and environmental health services for Manistee County.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric utility serving an address.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
Libraries
Manistee Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Arcadia Branch Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Keddie Norconk Memorial Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Kaleva Branch Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Onekama Branch Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Wellston Branch Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
Circuit — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
District — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Court Calendar and Docket — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
Manistee County Transportation — Dial-A-Ride and county transportation; confirm trip coverage, booking requirements and fares.
Manistee County Blacker Airport — Airport, flight and ground transportation information; confirm current schedules and bookings.
MDOT Mi Drive — Road conditions and construction information.
Michigan public transit providers — Official transit agency contacts across Michigan.
Michigan transportation guide — Airports, bus connections and other travel resources.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Manistee County.
Manistee Riverwalk follows the channel through downtown Manistee. Review city information for current access and maintenance notices.
Orchard Beach State Park no longer provides beach access because of erosion. Plan for bluff views, trails or camping instead.
Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve prohibits dogs and closes its central boardwalk section seasonally for nesting birds. Check current access before selecting your route.
Arcadia Dunes spans Manistee and Benzie counties. Choose a trailhead and consult current maps and activity rules.
S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia offers seasonal visits in Manistee. Check tour dates, admission and age suitability; special haunted events are separate from regular tours.
Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar, North Channel and TJ’s Pub are local dining options. Consult each restaurant’s current menus and hours.
Hoot and Honey Bookstore and Backstage Hobbies & Games are downtown options. Check current stock, opening hours and event requirements.
Glik’s Manistee, Snyder’s Shoes Manistee and The Outpost of Manistee have Manistee stores on River Street. Contact the shop about sizes and availability.
Manistee Library, Arcadia Branch Library and Keddie Norconk Memorial Library offer public reading and browsing. Borrowing, printing and specific programs have separate requirements.
Manistee County Transportation provides local and county service information. Confirm reservations, coverage, fares and your return trip.
Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital is on East Parkdale Avenue in Manistee. Use the provider’s directory for service information and call 911 for an emergency.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia — Museum ships in Manistee with seasonal tours and separate special events; confirm tickets and age suitability.
- Manistee Library — Public reading, browsing and family programs in downtown Manistee; check hours and registration.
- Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve — Coastal marsh boardwalk near Arcadia; no dogs, and the central section closes seasonally for nesting birds.
Restaurants
- Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar — Dining in downtown Manistee near the river; check current menus and seating arrangements.
- North Channel — Casual dining on Washington Street in Manistee; consult the current menu and hours.
- TJ’s Pub — Dining at the Ramsdell Inn on River Street in Manistee; confirm seasonal hours.
Shopping & Retail
- Hoot and Honey Bookstore — Independent bookstore, puzzles and gifts on River Street in Manistee.
- Backstage Hobbies & Games — Hobby and game shopping in downtown Manistee; check the current event calendar and entry requirements.
- The Ideal Kitchen — Cookware, kitchen tools and gifts on River Street in Manistee.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Glik’s Manistee — Men’s and women’s apparel at the River Street store; confirm stock and sizes.
- Snyder’s Shoes Manistee — Footwear at the Manistee location on River Street; select that store for hours and directions.
- The Outpost of Manistee — Casual and outdoor clothing for men and women on River Street.
Outdoor Fun
- Orchard Beach State Park — Bluff views, camping and woodland trails near Manistee; the park no longer provides beach access because of erosion.
- Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve — Coastal marsh boardwalk near Arcadia; no dogs, and the central section closes seasonally for nesting birds.
- Magoon Creek and Sundling Park — Lake Michigan shoreline and woodland recreation; vehicle access at Magoon Creek is seasonal and overnight stays are not allowed.
Free Things To Do
- Manistee Library — Public reading, browsing and family programs in downtown Manistee; check hours and registration.
- Arcadia Branch Library — Public reading and library activities in Arcadia; check hours and program requirements.
- Keddie Norconk Memorial Library — Library browsing and local activities in Bear Lake; check current hours and borrowing requirements.
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