Canoeing in northeast Michigan has become extremely popular. Families can enjoy the experience of floating down one of the many beautiful rivers that make their home in the region. Whether it is the world famous AuSable River, the Rifle River, Thunder Bay River or Sturgeon River, you will find plenty of good streams to ply your canoe.
Take the family, group of friends or a combination of both and spend a great weekend, week or more. Whether you are canoeing, kayaking or tubing, Michigan's Sunrise Side has you covered. Canoe outfitters offer day, multiple day or weeklong vacation excursions. Be sure to ask about the various trips available at each of our member canoe liveries.
AuSable River
Alcona Canoe Rental and Campground
6351 Bamfield Road, Glennie | 800.526.7080 for reservations
Located near Glennie on the AuSable River, this canoe livery features rental camping cabins, campsites, a party store, canoes, kayaks, tubes, rafts, rowboats and more. Alcona Canoe offers trips that are 2½ hours to seven days in length. They are open from April to October each year.Oscoda Canoe Rental
678 River Road | 989.739.9040
Oscoda Canoe Rental features canoes, kayaks, tubes and more. They provide trips from two hours to seven days along the AuSable River. Open April 15 through October, Oscoda Canoe Rental is located at the River Road Bridge near Oscoda.Rainbow Resort
731 Camp Ten Rd. near Mio | 800.737.4133
Rainbow Resort features canoes, kayaks and tubes on the AuSable River. They offer trips ranging from 1½ hours to three days. They also have seven cabins open all year.
Rifle River
Russell Canoes and Campgrounds
989.653.2644 for reservations and information
800.552.4928 Michigan toll free, reservations only
The Rifle River is known as Michigan’s “fun river” for family canoeing, drifting, kayaking or tubing. Moments after launching, you’ll be in the land of the past: a quiet, rich, lovely wilderness of long ago. The rippling water of the Rifle River provides challenges to make your trip interesting and puts nature at your fingertips for your enjoyment. If avoiding crowds is important to you, pick any day but Saturday during June, July and August.
Sturgeon River
Big Bear Adventures
4271 S. Straits Hwy. in Indian River | 231.238.8181
Located across from Burt Lake State Park in Indian River, Big Bear Adventures offers exciting canoe, kayak, raft & tube trips down the beautiful, crystal-clear Sturgeon River -the Lower Peninsula’s fastest! They offer trips of varying lengths for all ages/skill levels from challenging high adventure to relaxing family floats. Family Fun Center with 18-Hole Adventure Golf, Snack Bar, General Store & SUBWAY Shop. Youth/Group Packages and even Guided Winter Rafting Trips! They also have several lodging options.
AuSable River Cleanup
The annual AuSable River Canoe and Clean Up takes place in late August in Glennie, Mio and Oscoda. The annual clean up project has continually produced a wide variety of river debris.
The AuSable River Clean Up is coordinated by Oscoda Canoe Rental and Alcona Canoe Rental, located near Glennie, in cooperation with Michigan’s Sunrise Side Travel Association and the Rainbow Resort in Mio, working with the Chamber of Commerce for Oscoda County. Consumers Energy assists by lowering water levels along the river at their hydroelectric dams. Canoe liveries feel that it is important to keep the river as clean as possible and those that use the river should assist in making certain that the AuSable River remains safe for all to use.
The AuSable River Clean Up begins at the Rea Road Bridge with volunteers cleaning to the Whirlpool, emptying canoes and continue to Oscoda Canoe Rental. The Glennie clean up begins at Alcona Canoe Rental from McKinley to Glennie. The Mio clean up will begin at the Rainbow Resort.
Volunteers are needed for the AuSable River Clean Up. Clean up will begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Volunteers are asked to call Oscoda Canoe, 989.739.9040; Alcona Canoe, 800.526.7080; or the Chamber of Commerce for Oscoda County at 800.800.6133.