Michigan – South or North Manitou Island?

One night is going to be a short time due to the boat schedule.

The other issue is make sure the weather is clear. If the lake kicks up, they won't run the ferry. Last time I tried to get out there the boat wasn't running. they didn't run the boat for three days. The park service did have extra food for people who ran out.

Don't forget to stop at Fishtown and pickup some smoked fish, and then off to Arts in Glen Arbor for your post-hike burger and beer.

BTW, the sleeping bear dune area was hit pretty hard by the storm two weeks ago. There is a lot of blown down.

SO?? No recommendation re which island?? I know the Sleeping Bear area well, just not the islands; up there just last week. Also aware about the limitations of the ferry schedule. Really just trying to decide which island. Thanks

Sorry — never made it to either due to weather. I was always shooting for north because south looked like it is filled with day-trippers.

NORTH… Go North. South is smaller and you can walk the entire island in a day. There are more unique things to see on the south but it is only worth doing as a day or overnight trip. Worth doing at some point though. But if you want to go on a backpacking trip go to the North island. The island swallows backpackers with plenty of room to spread out.

Yes, after LABOR Day the is ferry service is dictated by the weather AND the individuals on both islands……!!!

With ONE day on North you will not have time to do much hiking nor really get a feel for the island.
My suggestion to you is to plan your visit to North when you have more time (3-4days)for late August first week in Sept after Labor Day.

We look forward to your trip report!

Interesting post as my wife wants to go to the North Island.

So, I posted this question on a few forums and got zero responses from anyone who'd been to both. Nada. And by the time I was done stewing about it, the ferry was sold out for Saturday and Sunday. UGH. So I ended up at Nordhouse Dunes, which at least satisfied the Lake Michigan and dunes craving. :) It was a gorgeous weekend; hot enough to reasonably want to swim in Lake Michigan but not so hot to wonder what the $#@%& you were thinking trekking across sand dunes in August. I hiked in on Friday and camped near the boundary to Ludington (OK, I may have been a little over…) and was surprised how much of the beach is gone! I hiked back *in* the surf because I got tired of walking on a slant and trying to avoid the waves. I hiked out on Saturday to a zoo. At Nurnberg trailhead, the cars were parked on both sides down the street. Big groups with big tents, wheeled coolers. Wow. I'm going to try to eke out 2 nights for North Manitou in early fall.