at Sawdust Hole
General Information
Sawdust Hole 
Sawdust Hole is a National Forest Campground which was once the location of a saw mill on the Manistee River. Campsites are rustic, and the North Country National Scenic Trail passes nearby via a short connector.
Camping
Camping- eight primitive campsites with fire rings and tables.
Boat Launch
Boat Launch- gravel ramp with limited parking at the end of a fairly steep road to the river
Fishing
Fishing- The Manistee River is known for steelhead and salmon runs below Tippy Dam, and also trout and walleye.
Hiking
NCT Connector
The connector to the NCT is not marked but it is easy to find. There is a widened place in FR 8799 0.2 mile from the turn off Tippy Dam Road. This is where the road begins to follow the edge of the bluff above the river. Follow the bluff away from the road (north) and you will quickly come to the junction with the North Country Trail (look for blue blazes). To go south (toward New York) on the trail angle left and go down the benched trail in the bluff to river level.
To go north (toward North Dakota) on the trail turn right away from the bluff.
Access- via sand FR 8799. You can park a couple of cars where the connector trail meets the road. Please do not park at the trail crossing on Dilling Road!
Restrictions- no bicycles south of Dilling Road to Udell Trailhead
Distance and time- 0.1 mile to connect to main NCT
Trail Markers- none, just stay along the bluff edge till you come to the main trail
Treadway- natural surface
Grades- level
Ecosystem- high wooded bluff above Manistee River
Other points of interest- connection with North Country Trail
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- May 2007
Back to map
Comment
North Country Trail
Follow the link for a description of the North Country National Scenic Trail in Lake County.
Historic Site
Historic Site-
There is an interpretive sign down on the Manistee River Floodplain. Follow the NCT connector to the trail and turn south. Descend to the floodplain and follow the trail a short distance. The sign will be on your right. Sign reads, "Sawdust Pile: In the early 1900's through the 1950's this bayou was the location of several sawmills. Lumber was hauled by narrow gauge railways and horses to local merchants."
Handicap Accessibility
Handicap Accessibility- latrine is accessible, but the approach is natural surface
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- latrine
Potable Water- none
Details
Access- sand Forest Road 8799 off paved Dilling Rd.
Restrictions- Self-pay $3/day or $5/week or $20 annual pass. The annual passes are available at the Baldwin or Manistee National Forest Ranger Stations. No OHV's. 14-day camping limit. Other National Forest regulations apply. No camping along road.
Seasonality- road not plowed in winter
Ecosystem- wooded bluff above Manistee River, and descending to river
Other points of interest- North Country National Scenic Trail, and Tippy Dam access and campground is a bit farther south on Dilling Road.
most recent date this info personally checked- May 2007
Additional Facilities- none
Maintained by- Huron-Manistee National Forest , call 231-723-2211
More-
In lieu of the Forest Service parking fee, 
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