Editor’s note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Scene magazine’s Fall 2024 issue. Pick up a free copy at area hotels, visitor’s centers, chambers of commerce or at the Record-Eagle building on Front Street. Click here to read GT Scene in its entirety online.
One of my favorite “go to places” for color viewing isn’t an unknown spot. In fact on nice fall weekends it can be pretty busy, which is why I visit mid-week.
Highbanks Rollway overlooks the Manistee River valley offering stunning fall color views that stretch for to 20 miles across the broad valley. Looking down at the forest canopy is a crescendo of colorful hues, crimsons, oranges and gold stretching out in front of you as far as the eye can see.
The Manistee River forms a classic horseshoe bend below you before flowing away along the base of the bluff. This is arguably one of the best fall overlooks in northern Michigan. It is the highest point along this stretch of the Manistee.
It’s been a popular spot with locals for decades, kind of like their own secret fall color stash. That all changed when the DNR put up a platform overlook at the site to help protect the fragile river bank from visitor overuse and gave it the official name Highbanks Rollway. Prior to that it had been known by several names; the Rollaway, Horseshoe Bend, Highbanks Overlook and Lookout Point, were among the more popular.
They used to hold weddings at the spot and gathered sometimes for sunrise Easter depending on the weather that time of year. You have a breathtaking view of the sun rising in the east over the valley.
The view came about during the lumbering era that took place early in the last century. Lumberman loved the high bluffs along the Manistee River. This particular location sits a little over 200 feet above the river valley. They would cut the surrounding forest on the land above the river during the winter and stack the logs along the bluffs in prime locations. In the spring they would send thousands of logs tumbling down the banks into the river to float downstream to waiting lumber mills. This would scour the bank of vegetation and trees, which even today over a century later have sparsely grown back.
The viewing spot, by whatever name it was known, had become popular enough by the late 1900s that the bank was deteriorating even worse because of people climbing on it. The North Country Trail (NCT), which covers 4,600 miles between Vermont and North Dakota, also became a reality passing right by the overlook bringing more people into the picture. The DNR stepped in by putting up a platform overlook along the bluff, a designated parking area and access to the bluff roped off. It has helped to stabilize the area and make it more appealing.
Once you’ve spent time drinking in that fabulous vista you can spend some time hiking along the North Country Trail to the east or the west along the bluff for more jaw-dropping panoramas. It also gets you away from the crowds. Most will walk to the overlook; take a picture and maybe a moment to enjoy it before heading back to the vehicle.
You can hike for a mile or so out-and-back along the NCT either way from the platform overlook and uncover more wonderful views along the trail. It makes a nice hike. You could also, with a friend, spot a car on 29 ½ Road just above Baxter Bridge where the NCT crosses and enjoy a scenic 2.4 mile hike from the overlook to the road. It’s easiest hiking down to the road, and not the other way up. It’s a good climb.
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Directions to Highbanks Rollway
Highbanks Rollway is located south of Kingsley. Take Blackman Road south from the village to County Line Road. Turn right (east) and in a few miles the road curves south becoming No. 4 Road. At the next curve a well-traveled dirt road heads left. Follow it to the bluff where it dead-ends at the overlook parking area. A sign with an NCT map on one side and information about the area on the other marks the trail back to the overlook.