M-22 Pure Michigan Byway

Overview

M-22 is well known for its scenic beauty, natural resources, the abundance of recreational opportunities, and a rich cultural history tied to the geographic location and the spirit of people. The communities along M-22 continue to work for theprotection of the rural character, natural resources, and historical and cultural areas.

Committee

The M-22 Byway begins on M-22 on the east side of Leelanau County at the Traverse City/Elmwood Township boundary and traverses north along Grand Traverse Bay/Lake Michigan to the Village of Northport, then down the west side of the County turning off on M-109 in Glen Arbor through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, then back to M-22 through Empire into Benzie County.

The Byway also includes the Leelanau County connector, which is an east-west road M-204 that runs across the center of the County and crosses over Lake Leelanau at the Narrows. In Benzie County, M-22 traverses through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the Frankfort/Elberta area, and the Herring Lakes south to the Manistee County boundary. M-22 in Manistee County passes through agricultural lands and Onekama/Portage Lake area.

M-22 Committee Contact List: (To be Added soon)

Educational Materials

Learn more about the M-22 Byway and its history through the following resources:

Byway Program Overview & M-22 History Presentation - Click Here

Spring Coordinators Call Presentation - Click here

Act 69 Michigan Heritage Routes Document - Click here

Pure Michigan Byways and Tour Routes: DRIVING GUIDE - Click here

Guidelines to Designating Michigan's Heritage Routes (1995 edition) - Click here

2025 Meeting Schedule

Residents, local officials, and members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of the M-22 Pure Michigan Byway Committee. While a regular schedule has not been established for 2025, the following meetings are currently planned:

June 26, 2025
- Meeting Agenda | Meeting Notes – September 23, 2024 Kickoff Meeting
August 26, 2025
- Meeting Agenda - To be shared closer to the meeting date

Corridor Management Plan

Click here to view the M-22 Benzie and Manistee Pure Michigan Byway Corridor Management Plan.
Click here to view the M-22 Leelanau Pure Michigan Byway Corridor Management Plan.

Our Township greatly benefits from Network Northwest's experience, depth of knowledge and understanding. Because they work with so many diverse communities in our ten-county region they understand the local land-use issues and are already working on solutions by the time we realize we need some help.
- Susan Odom, Chair, Suttons Bay Township Planning Commission