North Manitou Island Regulations

Boating
Docking is limited to 20 minutes. Fuel service is not available. There are no protected anchoring locations anywhere around the island.

Camping
Wilderness camping regulations are in effect on North Manitou Island. A backcountry permit and fee payment must be completed before camping. All trash must be packed off the island. Camping is prohibited within 300 feet of the Lake Michigan high water mark, lakes, streams, ponds, springs, buildings or other camps. Camping is prohibited on any trail.

The Village Campground contains eight designated campsites, two fire rings and one outhouse. There is a limit of two tents and four people per site.

Open fires are prohibited in the wilderness area. Use gas or alcohol stoves. Fires are permitted in the community fire rings at the Village Campground. Waste food or empty food containers should not be burned in the village fire pits.

Potable water is available only at the ranger station. There are outhouses only at the ranger station and Village Campground. All water should be boiled and/or treated with appropriate purifiers. Washing is not permitted at/in any water source. All human waste and toilet paper must be buried at least 6 inches deep.

Food storage and trash
Store your food in tents or backpacks to keep it from animals. Keep it in durable bags suspended from a tree about 6 feet above the ground.

Please pack out all your trash.Trash cans are located in the village. Please place empty fuel cans next to the trash cans.

Fishing
A State of Michigan fishing license is required for fishing on the island. Artificial lures only are allowed on or in Lake Manitou and Tamarack Lake. Caught bass must be at least 18 inches in size; there is a daily limit of one.

Boats without motors are permitted on the inland lakes (you may not use wheels to transport boats to the lakes).

Park rangers must decontaminate any watercraft ;(free of charge) you bring to the island to use in inland lakes to prevent the spread of non-natives.

Other regulations
Pets are prohibited on the island to prevent any disturbance to visitors and wildlife.

Bicycles, wheeled vehicles, motorized equipment are prohibited./p>

Explosives including fireworks are prohibited

Piping Plover Nesting Areas
Please do not enter any area posted as CLOSED for nesting Piping Plovers. These endangered birds need all the assistance we can provide.