at Orchard Beach State Park
General Information
Orchard Beach State Park
This small state park is just north of the city of Manistee, on the Lake Michigan shore. Camping sites are closely packed, but practically on the shoreline (down a set of stairs). There is a set of loop trails for hiking or skiing.
Camping
Camping- 166 full hook-up sites. Current State Park rates apply. The sites are very close together but nicely shaded.
Hiking
Hemlock-Beech Nature Trail 
On the east side of M-110, across from the park entrance is a small dirt parking area where the trail begins and ends. This is points 1 and 8. It consists of a series of loops, and can also be used for skiing and snowshoeing. The sign says you can hike the trail in 30 minutes, but that must be for the inner loop with interpretive signs.
Post #1 to #2, W to E, 0.3 mile, 7 minutes Take the trail directly behind the brown sign. It begins on a wood chip pathway, but quickly gives way to a natural surface, through beech-hemlock forest with many maple. There are interpretive signs about tree species. Lots of spring wildflowers here. Come to the top of a rise and note the large beech tree on the left covered with beech bark fungus disease. In 0.2 miles you come to a fork. Take the right hand one (the left one goes to a private residence). You immediately find an interpretive sign about a blow down. Go down a dip through the damage area, make the turn to the south, and gently climb to point #2 where there is a bench.
Post #2 to #3, N to S, 0.125 mile, 4 minutes Enter a small clearing with scrub oak and other saplings, climb gently and pass a huge maple tree with spreading limbs. There is a short path to it- it's hard to resist climbing it! Come to point #3.
Post #3 to #4, N to S, 0.14 mile, 4 minutes Climb gently and angle slightly to the right. There is an active oil well behind a fence to your left. Reach point #4.
Post #4 to #5, E to W - inner loop, 0.3 mile, 7 minutes Climb gently into an open field that is growing up in sumac with jackpine on your left. Pass a bench. There are 2x6 posts for trail markers through the field. Proceed down into a slight valley and back up again, through the field with scattered maples. Jog slightly right and left again, and pass over a slight rise. Continue around the back of that hill. A row of dark conifers (scotch pine?) is visible at the edge of the field on the left. It is here that I saw the fox. Cross a service road and climb a slight hill and reach point #5.
Post #5 to #6, S to N, 0.2 mile, 5 minutes There is a bench not far from the post that looks out over the open valley between #4 and #5. Pass a large jackpine, and angle northeast and enter the woods. Pass another bench and curve left around a nice white birch. Reach point #6.
Post #6 to #7, N to S, 0.1 mile, 2 minutes Trail is level through jackpine, then descend and gently ascend again through more white birch.
Post #7 to #8, E to W, 0.1 mile, 2 minutes Pass through many white birch, and descend gently to the parking area.
Post #4 to #5, S then W then N - outer loop, 0.9 mile I have not yet walked this section
Post #2 to #7, E to W, 0.15 mile I have not yet walked this section
Post #3 to #6, E to W, 0.18 mile I have not yet walked this section
Access- from dirt parking area off paved MI-110
Restrictions- no bikes, dogs must be on 6-foot leash, no bikes, State Park sticker required to park at trail entrance
Distance and time- the outer loop is a total of about 1.9 miles and might take 45 minutes.
Trail Markers- posts in grassy areas, otherwise obvious trail between junctions with numbers and maps
Condition of Marking- good
Treadway- natural surface, stable footing
Grades- flat to slightly rolling
Ecosystem- a variety of woods- beech, hemlock, maple, jackpine; open meadow areas on rolling hills; a large stand of white birch
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- May 2007
Back to map
Comment
Picnicking
Picnicking- day use area with pavillion at the north end of the park with picnic tables and grills
Playgrounds
Playground- swings, slide, and jungle gym at the north end; swings and jungle gym near the east rest room; volleyball court at the north end; natural surfaces
Scenic Views
Scenic Views- Lake Michigan
Historic Site
Historic Site- Michigan Historic Marker about the Great Fire of 1871 at the northwest end of the park.
Swimming
Swimming- Lake Michigan beach
Handicap Accessibility
Handicap Accessibility- restrooms are accessible
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- Full rest rooms in summer
Potable Water- summer only
Details
Access- paved park roads off paved MI-110
Restrictions- dogs must be leashed, other State Park rules apply
Seasonality- nature trail open all year
Ecosystem- Lake Michigan beach bluff, and wooded hills
Other points of interest- near the city of Manistee and Lake Bluff Audubon House
most recent date this info personally checked- July 2007
Additional Facilities- metal detecting allowed in certain areas
Maintained by- Michigan DNR
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