Frequently
Asked Questions…


|  River  | Trips | Rentals & Prices | Overnight
Canoeing & Camping | Reservations | Parking | Location

River Information

What river do you service?
   The Big Manistee from Hodenpyl Dam Backwaters to 612 Bridge north of Kalkaska.

What are the differences in your upper and lower section you service?
   Our upper section of the Manistee River we service is quite curvy,deeper and not recommended for beginner canoeists or families with children under 5 years old. The tip over rate is higher and there are only a few places to get out in the water to swim and play. This section is more out in the wilderness with no houses in sight until the last 10 minutes of your float.
Our lower section of the Manistee River we service is not so curvy, shallower and recommended for beginners and families with small children. With very low tip over rate and many shallow spots with sandbars to get out in the water to swim and play. This section is through a wildlife sanctuary with some houses up on the banks of the river throughout most of your float.

How fast is the river?
  Our section of the Big Manistee river we service runs about 5 to 6 mph.

How deep is the river?
  The upper section of the Big Manistee river ranges from 4 to 10 feet deep.
The lower section ranges from 2 to 8 feet deep, with the deepest spots being on the bends of the river.

What types of animals could be seen on the section serviced?
  Along the sections of the Big Manistee you could see a wide variety of different animals. To name just a few would be deer, swans, raccoon, beaver, muskrats,
otter, mink, turtles, ducks and geese.

Are there any rapids or portages within the section serviced?
  On the sections of the Big Manistee that we service there is no rapids or portages.

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Trip Information

What trips are offered?
  We offer 1,2,4 and 5 hour one day trips. Along with overnight trips up to 10 days. Hourly trips are based on in canoe/kayak time with corrective steering. These trips could take more or less time. Our 5 hour trip may be started between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, our 4 hour trip may be started between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, after 3:00 pm we have only our 2 hour trips to float.

How long of trips for Tubes?
  Tubes on average go slower then canoes or kayaks. For tubing it would be an extra ½ hour per canoe time hour. One hour canoe trip would take 1 ½ hours to tube and our two hour canoe trip would take 3 hours to tube. Our tubes are only allowed to go down our lower section we service.

How long of trips for Rafts?
  Rafts on average go slower then canoes or kayaks. For rafting it would be an extra ½ hour per canoe time hour. One hour canoe trip would take 1 ½ hours
to raft and our two hour canoe trip would take 3 hours to raft. With an early start of before 11:00 am our 5 hour canoe trip would take 8 hours to raft. Our rafts can be taken to either the upper or lower section we service.

Do rentals have to be back in the set canoe trip time?
  When you rent one of our watercrafts you set your own pace and return to our canoe livery or other destination at your own time set. As long as you
are off the river by 8 pm, you can relax, float, stop for a picnic and enjoy your trip. The only trips we need to set up a time with you on are our 1,2 and 4 hour trips leaving from our canoe livery for your pick up time at the destination selected by you.

Do you service between Hodenpyl Dam and Tippy Dam?
  Unfortunately we do not service this section of the river with our watercrafts or able to transport private watercrafts.

Can you fish? What do most catch?
  Yes, you are welcome to fish while you float our sections of the river. Any license or permits are your responsibility to have with you, we do not sell these at our livery office. There are a wide variety of fish, from pike, walleye and rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout.

Can you take coolers? Any beverages?
  Coolers and beverages are allowed on the sections of river we service. The only thing we ask is to please help us keep our river clean and only bring plastic or cans. No glass bottles allowed.

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Rentals & Prices

Do you take credit/debit cards for payment?
  Due to being a seasonal business we are not set up to take credit or debit cards. We accept personal checks, travelers checks, business checks
and cash.

Canoe rental prices?
  Canoe rentals are $35.00 for 2 people in each canoe, $45.00 for 3 people in each canoe, $55.00 for 4 people in each canoe for trips 4 hours or less. This is $10.00 for each center rider.

  Canoe rentals are $42.00 for 2 people in each canoe, $52.00 for 3 people in each canoe, $62.00 for 4 people in each canoe for our 5 hour trip. This is $10.00 for each center rider.

  Our 3 and 4 seat canoes are wider for more stability and work best for families with small children. For weight reasons we can not allow 4 adults to go in one 4 seat canoe. Please note that we do not allow children under 5 years old to be taken on the upper section of the Big Manistee river we service.
Pets are welcome to accompany you in any canoe.

Kayak rental prices?
  Single Kayaks rent for $32.00 for all trips 4 hours or less. $38.00 for all other trips.
  Double Kayaks rent for $35.00 for all trips 4 hours or less. $42.00 for all other trips.
The maximum number of people will be held to the number of seats in the kayak you take, 1 person for the singles and 2 people for the doubles. Pets are welcome to accompany you in any kayak.

Raft rental prices?
  Rafts rentals vary on price depending on the size you take and apply to any of the trips we offer.
  Large Rafts hold up to 8 people and rent for $120.00.
  Medium Rafts hold up to 6 people and rent for $100.00.
Due to the nature of the raft we do not allow pets to be taken in our rafts.

Tube rental prices?
  Tubes rent for $12.00 per tube. This price applies to either the 1 ½ hour trip or the 3 hour trip through our lower section we service. Our tubes are only allowed on the lower section of the river due to more log jams and places that will damage the tube. No pets allowed in tubes.

Any hauling charge for one day trips?
  All but one of our set-up 1 day trips are free hauling. The only 1 day trip we apply a hauling/pick up fee is to our trip down to the Northern Exposure Campground.

Any part of the price a deposit that will be returned at end of trip?
  When you arrive at our livery office and sign up for your canoe trip the total is final. We do not require you to place an extra money deposit on equipment or rentals.

Do you offer any discounts?
  Discounts apply to any church group, youth group and scout groups. Please call our office for specific information that would apply to your group. 1-800-873-6379 or simply email us with your questions at canoemanistee@aol.com.

Do you rent any watercrafts to be taken to a different
river or section of river?
  No, all our rentals must stay on the sections we service. We must register them for the sections we run and can not allow them to be on another river or stretch of river.

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Overnight Canoeing & Camping

What trips are offered for over night trips?
  Our basic 2 and 3 day trips are put in at Baxter Bridge and US 131 Bridge. We offer overnight trips from 2 days up to as long as 10 days. For our basic 2 day run putting in at Baxter Bridge you would have 9 hours of paddling to split up between the two days. For our basic 3 day run putting in at US 131 Bridge you would have 12 hours of paddling to split up between three days. Both of these trips offer many primitive areas for camping along the Manistee River, but please note that after the Harvey Bridge (Iron Bridge) it is limited to mainly in canoe time for the last 2 hours of your trip. This last 2 hour section has no camping spots that are easily found along the river. If you have any further questions on camping along the Manistee River runs we offer please feel free to call or email us at any time.

Price & Hauling fee?
  All over night trips have a one time hauling fee, whether you take one canoe or 10, the hauling fee will be added onto the whole contract only one time. This hauling fee will depend on which bridge or spot you are put in at, this could be as low as $30.00 up to $50.00.
  Over night rentals with 2 people per canoe run $42.00 for the first day and $30.00 for each additional day out on the river.

Where can I camp along the river?
  Most of the Big Manistee is State and Federal Land, so camping is permitted basically anywhere along the river. But please remember to leave it as you found it, clean and unpolluted. There are also DNR Campsites along the river that are approximately 5 canoe hours apart, some of these are primitive camping and others have fresh water and restrooms. The river map will show you which is which.

What should I take for an overnight trip?
  Packing for an overnight canoe trip, would be the equivalent to packing for rustic camping. On average most of our customers take 1 gallon of fresh water per day their trip will last, along with food and cooking utensils. Tent(s) and sleeping bag(s). Remember this is one type of trip you do not want to over pack for, we do not advise taking things that will be ruined if you would happen to tip over and get wet.

Do you offer camping at your canoe livery?
  No, we do not offer camping at our canoe livery. There are many near by campgrounds and rustic places to camp near by. Just to name a few there is Northern Exposure Campground, KOA south of Traverse City, and more.

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Reservations & Walkin’s

When do you start taking reservations for the season?
  We start accepting reservations the beginning of March each season. If you have questions on certain trips and need more information please feel free to call us anytime or email us and we will get back to you as soon we can.

How much deposit do you need for reservation? Refunds?
  Reservation deposits are $15.00 per canoe/kayak you reserve and $25.00 per raft. All reservations are refundable with a one week notice of cancellation. Please remember we can not control the weather, so there is no charge for sunshine and no refund for rain!

Large groups of 6 canoes or more, reservation
vs. walk in?
  When planning a large group of 6 or more canoes/kayaks or any mixture of our watercraft we offer it is a good idea to make a reservation when all plans are set. This will help us get you on your trip quicker and will by-pass the waiting on your part while we load all the equipment. When large group reservations are set up in advance all watercraft is spotted and usually your group is loaded or put out within 15 minutes of signing in at our livery.

Do I need a reservation?
  This question goes both ways, yes and no depending on when you wish to do your canoe trip. On ANY WEEKEND in July or August I would have to say YES please call and make a reservation. This way you know your watercrafts will be waiting for your arrival. It is always good to call ahead of time, so you know you can be served.

If I do not have a reservation and wish to go canoeing what should I do?
  First thing to do is to call us at 1-800-873-6379 when your plans are all set and you know what you need to rent, this way our staff in the office can check the books and let you know for sure or not if we will have the rentals you wish to take. Any extra trip questions can also be answered and/or we can help you pick a trip that would fit your level in canoeing or style.

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Parking

Where do we park?
  Our parking area is on-top of the hill just above the office building. This is where your vehicle will be left, you will be picked up in the parking area after you sign in and also you will either return off the river to the lower landing or hauled back to your vehicle. No spotting involved at our canoe livery.

Do you do pick up services?
  Occasionally we do pick up services either at the Lions Club Park (M-115 Bridge), Fletcher Campground, Northern Exposure Campground. These 3 places are our normal pick up service areas for large groups (25-150 people). Depending on the size of you group and the trip you take will determine your choice of pick up service or just taking the short drive to our livery. Please note that pick up services are extra, price depends on where you are.

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Location

How far are you from Cadillac?
  From the intersection of M-115 and M-55 you are about 20 miles from us, with about 35 minutes of driving time.

How far are you from Traverse City?
  From the intersection of South US 31 and South M-37 (Chums Corners) you are about 18 miles from us, with 30 minutes of driving time.

How far are you from Manistee?
  From the intersection of North US 31 and M-55 you are about 40 miles from us, with 1 hour of driving time.


Some helpful Map Links Our address 6052 Riverview Rd. Mesick, MI 49668
Map Quest, Yahoo Maps, MSN Maps & Directions

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