The Pine River

#1  Paddlesports River in the Midwest.

Pine River

The Pine River enjoys protection through both a Federal Wild & Scenic River Designation and Plan and a Michigan Natural River Designation and Plan. The navigable portion of the Pine is approximately 67 miles in length. The river gradient is 7% and offers the fastest average flow of any river in lower Michigan.

Paddlecraft Rentals

Rent Canoes, Kayaks, Rafts, and  Stand Up Paddleboards

PRPC is the best stocked paddling center on the Pine River.  We rent a wide variety of canoes, kayaks, rafts, and stand up paddleboards.

View our paddlecraft page for detailed information on the various paddlecraft options!

Pine River Facts

A National Wild and Scenic River

The lower 26-miles of the Pine River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1992.  

The scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river.  It is also well known as a fantastic trout stream.

Transportation

Our Guest Driven Policy

PRPC will help facilitate the spotting of your vehicle to your designated end point. We provide you with the parking passes needed, lead you to where your trip will end at, and provide transportation back to the start.




Maps and Float Times

Put In / Take Out Points and Float Times

With multiple put-in and take-out locations, and an endless supply of clean and well-maintained paddlecraft, PRPC offers the best quality at the best value!
Start your trip planning now! Need help? Give us a call at 231-862-3471 today!

How's the River?

Current Pine River Conditions

Conditions on the Pine River can change quickly due to the nature of weather patterns in the Midwest. Heavy rains can quickly increase the water flow and affect paddling conditions. We also link out to USGS water conditions for more real-time info.

Personal Watercraft

USFS Recreation Permits

Included with your PRPC watercraft rentals are all applicable permits and fees.

If you are interested in bringing your own watercraft to the Pine, learn about the permits you must acquire and transportation options here.

Pine River Vitals

The Pine River enjoys protection through both a Federal Wild & Scenic River Designation and Plan and a Michigan Natural River Designation and Plan. The navigable portion of the Pine is approximately 67 miles in length. At base flow, the mainstream of the Pine River averages two feet in depth. It has an average gradient of 12 feet per mile, and an annual average flow of 376 cubic feet per second.

Pine River Natural History

The primary influence on the Pine River is its geological history. The unique conditions left by the Pleistocene glaciers established the 265 square mile watershed through which the river is continuously carving a new path. Open meander bends offer paddlers a fascinating window into the geologic strata of the area that provide the framework for the plant and animal communities throughout the Pine River valley. View this pine river photo gallery to see the breadth of the river valley and how God's providence constantly and beautifully re-sculpts the riverscape.

Some Human History

The earliest evidence of human inhabitants dates to over 10,000 years ago when the nomadic Paleo-Native Americans followed herds of game animals through the area. By 500 BC, a more sedentary lifestyle was established in seasonal hunting and fishing camps where agricultural practices were also developed. The native tribes of Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Chippewa Indians that inhabited the area into the 1800s referred to the Pine as the “crooked river” and “spirit of the woods”. To date there are ninety-seven archaeological sites identified in the Pine River watershed.