Parks & Recreation

Northern michigan

Explore the Outdoors in Northern Michigan

Stronach Township is surrounded by lakes, rivers, and forestland that make it a year-round destination for outdoor recreation.

Whether you’re looking for a family picnic spot, a quiet fishing trip, or miles of hiking and biking trails, you’ll find it here.

Stronach Township is in the unique position of having recreational opportunities through several governmental entities. These include recreational assets held by the Township, those held by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and those held by the United States Forest Service (USFS).

Township Parks

township park

Stronach Township Park

The Stronach Township Park, a neighborhood park, is primarily used for local community and group meetings and outdoor activities, little league baseball games and children’s recreation. The park is close to 5 acres.

Amenities Include:

Location: Stronach Township Park is located along Water Street in what is referred to as the “Village of Stronach”.

township park

Claybank Park

Claybank Park is approximately 42 acres in size and primarily used for community meetings, outdoor recreation and children’s recreation. With much of the park undeveloped natural area, it would be suitable for future trail development.

Amenities Include:

Location: Claybank Park is located on the east side of S. Skocelas Road just south of the M-55 intersection.
State Parks

State Recreation Sites

Manistee Lake Boat Launch

The Manistee Lake Boat Launch area is approximately 4 acres in size and is used by fisherman and recreational boaters seeking access to lower Manistee Lake.

  • 1 Picnic Table
  • Parking
  • Boat Launch
  • Canoe/Kayak Area
  • Signage
  • Fishing Access (ADA accessible pier)
  • Restrooms (ADA accessible)
  • ADA Accessibility
Location: The Manistee Lake Boat Launch is loacted along the eastern shore of Manistee Lake just north of the Little Manistee River outlet.

Little Manistee Weir

The Little Manistee Weir is a DNR operated fish weir and egg/milt collection facility. The Weir provides a location for fisherman to access the river when the season is open. Canoeists and kayakers also use the site as a location to access the river.

  • Trails
  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Camping
  • Fishing Access
  • Canoe & Kayak Access
Location: The facility is located off the north side of Old Stronach Road between Old Stronach Road Bridge and 6 Mile Road Bridge.

Old Stronach Bridge

The Old Stronach Bridge caters to fisherman, canoeists and kayakers who wish to access the river.

  • 1 Picnic Table
  • 1 Grill
  • Parking
  • Canoe/Kayak Launch
  • Signage
  • Fishing Access (on public land only)
  • Hunting Access (on public land only)
Location: Old Stronach Bridge is located where Old Stronach Road crosses the Little Manistee River.

9-Mile Bridge

9-Mile Bridge recreation site is largely undeveloped, but has a well maintained river access. It is heavily used by canoeist and kayakers seeking access to the river, as well as fisherman.

  • Trails
  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Canoe/Kayak Launch
  • Fishing Access (on public lands only)
  • Hunting Access (on public lands only)
  • Fishing Line Recycling Box
Location: To reach this recreation site, follow Skocelas Road south until reaching the 9-Mile Bridge. The access is located immediately adjacent to the south side of the bridge on the west side of the road.
Federal Parks

Federal Recreation Sites

Marzinski Trailhead

The Marzinski Trailhead is one of two trailheads in Stronach Township devoted to horseback riding trails. The site is a campground and has designated trails withing the Manistee National Forest.

 

  • 21 Picnic Tables
  • 21 Grills
  • TrailsParking
  • Potable Water Source
  • Signage
  • Fire Pits at each
  • Campsite
  • 20 Campsites
  • Rustic Camping
  • Restrooms
  • ADA Accessibility
  • Hunting Access (on public lands only)
Location: The Marzinski Trailhead is located east off of Marzinski Road on Forest Road 9925. To reach the site, follow M-55 east from the City of Manistee, then take a right on Marzinski Road, turning east onto Forest Road 9925 approximately ¼ of a mile south of the M-55-Marzinski Road intersection.

Big M Trailhead (Udell Hills)

This well maintained recreation site is an access location to the many hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and mountain biking trails that are located in the Udell Hills.

  • 6 Picnic Tables (inside lodge)
  • Trails
  • Parking
  • Potable Water Source
  • Large Enclosed Lodge
  • Signage
  • Fire Pits
  • Garbage Recepticles
  • Restrooms
  • Hunting Access (on public lands only)
  • Rustic Camping
  • ADA Accessibility
Location: The Big M Trailhead is a developed trailhead site located off Udell Hills Road. The site can be reached by following M-55 east from the City of Manistee, then turning south onto Udell Hills Road. The Big M Trailhead location is appropriately signed and can be found on the west side of Udell Hills Road down Forest Road 8234.

Steinberg Trailhead

The trailhead is a starting location for those wishing to horseback ride the trail systems that extend through Stronach Township on USFS lands. While the use of this trail system is primarily devoted to horseback riding, some hiking takes place. The recreation site is developed and contains parking, restrooms and other amenities.

  • Trails
  • 1 Picnic Table
  • 1 Grill
  • Restroom
  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Hunting Access (on public land only)
Location: This trailhead is located on the south side of Steinberg Road just east of the Stronach Road intersection.

River Overlook

The River Overlook is used primarily as an access site to the Little Manistee River by fishermen or those wishing to have a scenic view of the river itself.

  • Trails
  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Fishing Access (on public lands only)
  • Hunting Access (on public lands only)
Location: The River Overlook can be reached via Little River Road heading east from Stronach Road. The Overlook is found at the end of Forest Road 8242 which heads south from Little River Road until one reaches the bluff along the Little Manistee River.

Kennedy Farm

Kennedy Farm is a rural recreational site and, as such, has very little site development. Kennedy Farm is a site where one can access forest service property along the Little Manistee River, and with a short hike from the parking area, access the river itself.

 

  • Trails
  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Fishing Access (with a little hiking, on public lands only)
  • Hunting Access (on public lands only)
Location: Kennedy Farm can be reached by traveling east on Old Stronach Road then turning north on Forest Road 5600, just before reaching Custer Road.

Chicago Boy Rollway

This is a rural site that allows access to the Little Manistee River and rustic camping. The site is undeveloped except for the installation of steps that allow one to access the river easily from the bluff. There are exceptional views of the river valley from this vantage point.

  • Parking
  • Signage
  • Rustic Camping
  • Fishing Access (on public lands only)
  • Hunting Access (on public lands only)
Location: This trailhead is located on the south side of Steinberg Road just east of the Stronach Road intersection.
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Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re a resident or visitor, Stronach Township’s parks and recreation sites offer something for every season.

Summer

Boating, kayaking, fishing, camping, picnics, and hiking

Fall

Hunting, scenic drives, and trail walks through colorful forests

Winter

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking

Spring

Bird watching, trout fishing, and early trail hikes

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