Sand Banks Boat Launch

There's no concrete ramp here — it's a carry-in spot. You walk your canoe or kayak right down the bank to the water. Works perfectly for smaller craft, but don't show up expecting to back a trailer down to the river.

This is a classic put-in for multi-day paddle trips down the Manistee toward Mesick. That's roughly a three-day, two-night float if you're taking it easy and camping along the way. One of the better upper-river access points in Kalkaska County.

Twelve trailer spots and the crowd here is almost entirely paddlers, not power boats. Even on summer weekends, you're unlikely to fight for a spot. Most folks unload and shuttle vehicles, so turnover is steady.

The riverbank here is sandy and gradual — you can slide a canoe in without scrambling down a muddy cliff. It's one of the easier put-ins on this stretch of the Manistee, especially compared to some of the steeper, more eroded access points upstream.