Manistee National Forest Forest Road 5629 High Bridge Circuit

Forest Road 5629 cuts through some of the Manistee’s most remote backcountry, following old logging rail grades that hauled white pine giants to Ludington mills a century ago. The route threads between towering second-growth forests and crosses Bear Creek at High Bridge, where concrete abutments mark an old railway trestle. Scattered along the trail, rusted cable and steam donkey remnants tell the story of Michigan’s timber boom.

This moderate route demands high-clearance 4WD for creek crossings and seasonal mud holes. Spring and fall bring the worst conditions — stick to summer through early October for best passage. The 18-mile loop offers excellent dispersed camping along Bear Creek, with crystal-clear water for filtering. Pack plenty of fuel; the nearest services are 30 miles away in Baldwin. You’ll earn solitude few Michigan trails deliver, plus some of the state’s best fishing for brook trout.