Paddling our Rivers in Manistee County

Looking to find that perfect river to float?  Well you are in luck, we have many fantastic paddling or floating rivers.  The Little Manistee River, Big Manistee River, Pine River are great paddling rivers for all experience levels.  If you are looking for a lazy day float, try the lower half of Bear Creek in the late summer/early fall for great fall color!   Browse any of these great rivers below!

Your River Adventures. #MyManistee

Explore the Rivers in the Manistee County Area

With 250+ river miles to explore… there is no shortage of paddling and fishing opportunities on the rivers of Manistee. Here you will find a complete list of rivers in our region and recommended routes, trips and float times.

River Tips and Recommendations


 

Best River for Families:  Big Manistee River – This top Michigan river is ideal for families traveling to the region, as it is wide and there are plenty of rental liveries servicing the various segments.

 


 

Best River for Experienced Paddlers: Pine River – This river contains some of the only white water in the Lower Peninsula.  This river is frequented by expert paddlers throughout the season, however, the early spring thaw attracts many from around the Midwest as this is the time of year when the river is at its swiftest current.

 


 

Best River for a Tube/Float: Little Manistee River – This great river, is shallow and is great for those looking for a quick 2-3 hour afternoon float.

 

EXPLORE OUR WATERWAYS

Download a complete guide to all of the rivers in Manistee County. Included you will find float times/charts and GPS locations for each access site.
Download a Map of all the Manistee County Rivers

Watercraft Rentals

No Watercraft? No Problem… search our great rental liveries and companies serving the waterways around Manistee County.

Found 3 listings

 

Follow the travelers that love Manistee County, enjoy these stories about our incredible outdoor recreation, things-to-do, dining, shopping and unique experiences you will ONLY find here.

Browse our latest #MyManistee perspectives here, or scroll through these top stories in your category.

Time to Try Something New

Encumbered by responsibilities, we yearn to get away from it all. We find ourselves seeking the peaceful refuge of the wide-open spaces of the great outdoors. Winter is no exception. Good News! We have just the solution for your winter blues or cabin fever! This year...

Riding the Big Bear Butt Cruise

Multi-kilometer bicycle cruises, northern Lower Michigan scenery, campfires and camaraderie. It seemed like a success story just waiting to be written for Manistee County native Bob Schuelke. He turned a love of cycling and the community he grew up in into...

Let’s go for a ride!

Grab your bike and let’s go riding... Sometimes, the best areas to ride, are not the formal trail systems in the region. Summer beach rides are a blissful way to go for a ride. Generally winds are lower in the summer so it is easy to cruise along the water...

A weekend snowmobiling trip…

Take a weekend and take to the trails.  Manistee County is a pretty great place to drop in with the sleds for a weekend.  Two great snowmobiling clubs manage and maintain the trails in the area.  The Wellston Snowmobiling club maintains the southern trail...

Great Music, Great People and Summer Concerts

Great music, great people, open air and it’s all free. There are several summer-long concert series that feature a variety of musical genres in Manistee County on different days. Kick back and enjoy! FREE Summer Concerts  Concerts in the Park, Onekama Village...

Beaches of Manistee County

Escape from your hectic schedule, and let our endless miles of beaches, for as far as you can see, soothe and calm you.  Wiggle your toes in the warm golden sand, close your eyes, breathe deeply and listen to the waves.  Our Lake Michigan beaches are...

Winter River Fishing in Manistee

River fishing the waterways of Manistee County provides an experience rich with stunning scenic landscapes and abundant nature during every season of the year, including the winter months. The frozen riverbeds and snow-covered trees create a serene backdrop for a day...

In and Around Manistee

There is so much more to explore as you discover the areas in and around Manistee. We have created an itinerary of close-to-town and downtown destinations that include iconic spots and unforgettable views that are truly Pure Manistee!Start Your Day with The Painted...

Red, White & Blue Water

The piers at the mouth of the Manistee River are most often used for watching spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan.  But on one weekend in May in Manistee, at dawn and again at noon, there are spectacular sights of a different variety to be witnessed. In...

Wonders of Winter Along M22

The scenic M22 route following the Lake Michigan shoreline from Manistee north through the Leelanau Peninsula is one of the most beautiful drives in any season of the year, winter is no exception. Your route begins at US31 & M22 at the Little River Casino Resort....