Manistee National Forest Jeep Trail 22B

Trail 22B cuts through some of the deepest sand in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, following old logging railroad grades through dense jack pine stands and wetland crossings. The route connects to the ghost town remnants of Marilla, where concrete foundations mark a long-dead logging operation, and crosses Manistee River tributaries at three technical ford points that’ll test your line choice and momentum management.

This is expert-level sand driving requiring aired-down tires, recovery gear, and ideally a spotter for the deeper sections. Best tackled May through September when water levels drop and the sand firms up slightly. You’ll earn solitude in some of Michigan’s most remote backcountry, plus excellent dispersed camping along the Manistee River corridor. Fuel up in Baldwin — it’s 40 miles of empty forest once you commit.