Paddling FAQ

Yes, we can. Please refer to our Spotting Fee page for more information.

Yes. When guests rent craft from us, we provide the necessary parking passes and craft permits. If you bring your own craft, the US Forest Service requires you obtain your craft permit(s) and parking passes from them. See http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/Recreation/recfee_fees.htm

Yes, for a fee of $20 per craft.

Mom and dad and three children, yes. Five adults, no.

Yes, but please understand that it is generally much easier for two adults to paddle a tandem canoe. Because tandem kayakers are seated closer together, they are likely to clash paddles while making turns and it becomes logical for the paddler in the front to let the paddler in the back do all the paddling. The ideal application of the tandem kayaks is for a father or mother paddling with a smaller child.

Yes. If the third person weighs more than 100 lbs. we charge a fee of $8 for the added wear and tear on our equipment.

We have the largest fleet of Old Town canoes on the Pine River.

Yes & No. Although most folks agree taking their dog(s) paddling is a mistake, some do bring their dog(s). Whether it's a positive or negative experience boils down to how well-behaved the dog is. If you have any doubt about how comfortable and/or controlled your dog will be in the canoe or kayak, it's certainly best to err on the safe side and leave the dog(s) home. Personal protection dogs such as Dobermans or Rottweilers are not allowed in our canoes or kayaks because it's too intimidating for other paddlers with whom you'll be in close contact with along the way. No dogs of any kind allowed in our rafts.

For safety and courtesy, we strongly discourage the consumption of alcohol while paddling. It is extremely important to us to preserve a family-friendly atmosphere on our rivers. We prohibit guests from taking any wine, hard alcohol, including Jell-O shots, in our craft, and although we prefer that paddlers wait until they are off the river, we do allow our guests to take up to 3 cans of beer/per adult.

Yes. For every group renting 5 or more craft we waive the transportation fee. We offer special rates for several types of groups. Visit our specials page for details. Group leaders can download a group organizational worksheet that is very helpful in planning your outing. We also have a What To Bring List that you may want to share with your group.

For reservations cancelled greater than 7 days prior to the reservation date you will be charged a 7% cancellation fee.  Reservations cancelled 2 to 7 days prior to the reservation date will be charged a 50% cancellation fee.  Reservations cancelled 2 days or less prior to the reservation date, or No Shows, will receive no refunds.

The quickest way is to call 1-800-717-4837 and reserve the craft with your Visa, MC, or Discover Card. All the information we'll ask you for is on the reservation form at https://www.thepineriver.com/reservations/. You can also download and print your completed reservation form and mail it in with check, money order, or credit card number.

Our paddling guests much prefer to have their vehicles parked where they will end their river trip. So it is our practice to have paddlers follow our van or bus (depending on the size of the group), to their end point, park their vehicle(s) there, and our driver will then transport you to your starting point. This eliminates the need to wait for a bus to arrive at the end point, to fill up before departing, and then drop off various paddlers at their respective starting points or campgrounds.

Office hours are Sunday through Thursday 8:30am to 7pm, Friday & Saturday 8:30am to 10pm. Our season runs from April 1st through November 1st.

As of 2022, we have moved to scheduled runs for our shuttles. Plan to be to our office 15-30 minutes prior to your shuttle time. You can still walk-in, though, and we will get you taken care of as soon as we can.

As far as the paddling times on the river, please keep in mind that the times listed on our Pine River Map page are considered average paddling times. The map shows we have several trip length options. Be sure to factor in time that your group may spend picnicking, resting, swimming, etc. along the way as this will add to the length of your trip. Choose your trip understanding that all craft have to be off the river by 6 p.m. The earlier you start, the more time you will be able to spend on your river trip.

Check out the PRPC What-to-bring-list

The Pine River is a designated Blue Ribbon trout stream with naturally reproducing populations of brown, brook, and rainbow trout. The entire river is a superb trout fishery. The Manistee supports both indigenous trout populations and a robust warm water fishery in and above the Hodenpyle and Tippy Dam reservoirs. The ten hours of river from Tippy Dam to Lake Michigan is a very popular stretch of river with Steelhead and Salmon anglers.

Yes! Overnight trips are very popular on both the Pine and Manistee Rivers. To do the entire navigable portion of the Pine generally takes paddlers 2 & ½ days. The entire Manistee River takes 8 to 10 days. Of course, folks can paddle all or part of either river and both have ideally located campgrounds for multi-day trips.

The average depth is 2 feet. However, it is predictable that on the outside of most bends the water will be 6 to 10 feet in depth.

Rafts are an extremely stable craft, and a great choice for a relaxing float down the Pine River. Their width and forgiving nature make rafts a popular choice for families with younger children and others who want to enjoy the magic of the Pine River without the worry of getting wet.

No, but as children who weigh under 90 lbs. are less physically developed, we generally recommend they paddle with an adult. Having said that, there are plenty of kids weighing less than 90 lbs. that have the constitution to command and have a great time kayaking.

Just about anyone can go kayaking. Kayaking continues to experience incredible growth because kayaks are so easy to paddle and they take you to such beautiful places. Children who weigh less than 90 lbs. and very large adults are challenged a bit, but after we share a few quick tips with folks, the vast majority will be surprised at how stable and easy to command kayaks are. Because we are veteran paddlers with the largest kayak rental in the Midwest, we have the unique ability to fit you to kayaks that are weight and experience appropriate for you.

We do not have an age limit as such, but understand that wherever there is water, there is risk. And it?s no secret that young children are easily bored. However, if parents have previously paddled the river, we generally defer to their judgment as to whether or not they take small children. If parents have not previously paddled the river, our policy is to not allow them to take smaller children in canoes. In Michigan, children 12 and under must wear life jackets.

Each season we assist hundreds of folks in taking their very first canoe trip. It takes only a quick 5-minute primer to empower first-time paddlers to paddle the Manistee or Pine with confidence, command, and comfort. Learn by doing and the learning curve is slow, but give us your ear for 5 minutes and the learning curve is dramatically accelerated. Canoeing is an incredible and rejuvenating life-sport. Any able-bodied person can quickly master and enjoy paddling the most beautiful craft on the planet.