Certain things pair perfectly with summertime: watermelon, fireworks, barbecues, and fireflies. Another is the relaxation of floating down a river. This blog post will cover the best rivers to tube in Michigan, making it your one-stop guide for floating and tubing information.
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Grab your water shoes and some sunscreen! It’s to dive into the details of the best rivers to tube in Michigan and discover which businesses rent tubes or offer tubing trips. You will find the information below organized by region.
Western Michigan
Muskegon River
The Muskegon River is located on the lower peninsula of Michigan. It flows southwesterly and feeds into Lake Michigan. The river’s last 50 miles (approximately) provide excellent opportunities for tubing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more.
25 E Water St, Newaygo, MI
(231) 652-6743
8118 Mason Dr, Newaygo, MI
(231) 652-8002
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Northern Michigan
Lower Platte River
Just west of Traverse City, you will find where the Lower Platte River meets Lake Michigan. Visitors can gently float down the river to a beautiful sandy beach on Lake Michigan, not too far from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore.
5042 N Scenic Hwy, Honor, MI
(231) 325-5622
10187 Honor Hwy, Honor, MI
(231) 651-9260
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Eastern Michigan
Huron River
The beautiful Huron River is located on the eastern side of the lower peninsula, just west of Detroit. It offers an impressive river trail, ideal for various river recreation, including tubing, and flows to its mouth at Lake Erie.
Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery
3902 E Delhi Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 769-8686
1055 Longshore, Ann Arbor, MI
(734)794-6241
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Upper Peninsula
Manistique River
Known for its pristine environment and vast wilderness, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan also offers the stunning Manistique River. It winds through central UP before meeting Lake Michigan. The river provides ample opportunity for floating, canoeing, and fishing.
Big Cedar Campground and Canoe Livery
12961 S Straits Hwy #2, Wolverine, MI
(906)586-6684
Click here to view our amazing Upper Peninsula vacation rentals.
What to Expect on a River Tubing Trip
River tubing in Michigan costs approximately $10 per hour, and trips can range from 1 to 4 hours. Each river and each livery is different, so be sure to visit their website or call them if you have any questions. For example, some businesses allow you to tether your rafts together, but others do not. Some companies offer open-bottom tubes only, and others have closed-bottom tubes. Also, ask about parking and any parking fees. It is better to know what to expect before you arrive.
There are some general guidelines that you should follow when tubing in any Michigan river.
- Check the weather before you go
- Know and be prepared for river conditions
- Children 8 and under need to wear a flotation device
- Wear water shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellant
- Stay hydrated
- No glass or styrofoam
- No littering
- Follow all staff instructions
Now that you know the best rivers to tube in Michigan, all you have to do is decide which you will float on your next MI getaway. You will also want to browse our beautiful selection of vacation rentals. Find one that is right for your vacation and book today!