Kayaking, Canoeing & River Tubing in Michigan: 17 Unbeatable Places to Paddle on MI’s West Side

Kayaking, Canoeing & River Tubing Destinations – West MI

West Michigan summer is here! Wondering where to go kayaking, canoeing, river tubing, or find a boat launch around Grand Rapids, Michigan? 

Paddling or floating down a river is the perfect way to spend a summer day, so we’ve put together a list of popular places for water sports, from the Grand Rapids area to the Lakeshore and even up north near Traverse City.

Whether it’s your first time out or you’re ready for river rapids, this list will help you find the perfect water trail for you.

(Looking for more of a beach vibe? Try one of these amazing Lake Michigan beaches.)

Types of Water Floating Devices

Here’s a rundown of the water float options available in West Michigan. You can also rent motor boats and pontoon boats around Grand Rapids!

River Tubing – Float on an inner tube down a meandering river. It’s popular to float coolers down the river while tubing, too. Often, groups will rope tubes together. Choose a river that is shallow and sandy for this type of activity.

Kayaking – A sport growing in popularity, kayaks are found at most rental outlets and are easier to navigate and control than an canoe. Choose a double kayak if you’re taking a young child along. You can get sit-on-top kayaks or sit-inside kayaks. The latter usually makes for a dryer trip – that is – unless you tip over.

Canoeing – Canoeing is an iconic water paddling activity and is alive and well in Michigan. If you’re a beginner to canoeing be sure to choose a river or body of water suited to that level. Rivers get challenging when the water moves more quickly (often the case in springtime) or there are obstacles, tight turns, or rapids.

Rafting – A few locales offer river rafting trips where one or more people can paddle a raft down a river.

Stand Up Paddle Boards – Also known as SUPs, Stand Up Paddle Boards are also growing in popularity in the region. Find them for rent near lakes in West Michigan and around Grand Rapids.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is a trend that’s taking over West Michigan. I’ve spotted people paddle boarding all over the Grand Rapids area and I’m eager to try it for myself.

There are plenty of places around Grand Rapids where you can rent SUP equipment. Inland lakes are a safe bet for trying SUP because they tend to have less wave action. Reed’s Lake is a popular spot (you can event try SUP yoga!) as is Millennium Park (you can rent equipment right there at the DeVos boathouse).

While it might seem like Lake Michigan is a natural spot to SUP, the big waves in the lake make it tough to master (and easier to tip).

Please, always wear a life jacket when enjoying water sports. Whether adult or child.

Grand Rapids Kayaking, Canoe & SUP Rentals

Finding an outfitter to rent canoes or kayaks is the first step to having a great day on the water.

Many rental places will accommodate walk-ins, but during the busy season, you’ll want to make a reservation for your equipment.

Expect to arrive early at your outfitter for safety lessons and to sign waivers.

U Rent Em Canoe in Hastings

805 W. Apple St. Hastings, Michigan 49058
Body of Water: Thornapple River

U rent Em Canoe on the Thornapple River is a family-friendly rental spot.

They are located in downtown Hastings and provide canoe, kayak, and tube rentals. No credit cards.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ river tubing

U Rent Em Canoe in Hastings - Thornapple River
U-Rent-Em Canoe in Hastings – Thornapple River

Wisner Rents Canoes in Newaygo

25 West Water St, Newaygo, Michigan 49337
Body of Water: Muskegon River

If you’re looking for a river with opportunities to get out and splash, head to Newaygo and float the Muskegon River.

Many of our readers grew up making trips down this river while renting from Wisner Rents Canoes. (They also rent kayaks, tubes, and rafts.)

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ river tubing
➤ river rafts

Wisner Rents Canoes in Newaygo
Wisner Rents Canoes in Newaygo

Double R Ranch in Belding

4424 Whites Bridge Rd, Belding, Michigan 48809
Body of Water: Flat River

Double R Ranch is fun and you can ride horses and golf there, too. 

Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing trips are available. The shortest trip available is 2.5 hours long.

Non-Guests Are Charged a Daily Fee For All Persons using Double R Ranch landing.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ river tubing
➤ horseback riding

Double R Ranch in Belding

Millennium Park in Walker

1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534
Body of Water: Small Inland Lakes

If you’re looking for a lake experience, consider Millennium Park. 

This 1400-acre park has a boathouse, allowing visitors to paddle the main lakes in the park. 

The DeVos Family Boathouse offers kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and rowboats for rent.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ SUPs
➤ paddleboats
➤ beach & splash pad ($)

Indian Valley Campground and Canoe

8200 108th SE, Middleville MI 49333
Body of Water: Thornapple River

You can go river tubing, canoeing, rafting, or kayaking at Indian Valley Campground and Canoe â€“ you don’t have to be camping at the campground. They also rent paddle boats.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ rafting
➤ paddleboats

Indian Valley Campground and Canoe

AAA Canoe Rentals in Rockford

525 Northland Dr NE, Rockford, Michigan 49341
Body of Water: Rogue River

Paddling trips here range from 2 to 4 hours of kayaking.

Canoe and Kayak Rental – 18 S Squires St, Rockford MI 49341
behind Peppermill Grill

Tube Rentals – 525 Northland Dr, Rockford MI 49341
by Tire Wholesale

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ tube rentals

AAA Canoe Rentals in Rockford

Lakeshore Kayak Rental in Spring Lake

15348 Cleveland St, Spring Lake, Michigan 49456
Body of Water: Grand River near Spring Lake, Corckery Creek

They offer kayaks, canoes & stand up paddleboards.

They are located in Spring Lake on the Grand River. Multiple family-friendly trips are available…plan on spotting wildlife while you paddle!

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle board

Lakeshore Kayak Rental

Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery in Montague

401 E. Fruitvale Road, Montague, MI 49437
Body of Water: White River

Near Silver Lake Sand Dunes. This is a great place for beginners.

Their rafts are large and won’t tip over – perfect for families! Also available: tubes, kayaks, and canoes.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ river tubing rentals
➤ river rafting

Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery in Montague

Camp Stony Haven in New Era

8079 W Stony Lake Rd, New Era, MI 49446
Body of Water: Stony Creek

Just an hour’s drive from Grand Rapids, this is a lovely spot to go river tubing with your family, especially if you have young kids because it’s not a very long trip and it’s pretty shallow. Kayaks, canoes, river tubes and rowboats available for rent at the campground.

Sidenote: There is a decent amount of seaweed in the river. The river ends at a small township park (Benona Township Park) on Lake Michigan that has a vault toilet. You can also rent tubes (pending availability) from the Stony Lake Market. If you have your own tubes, you can launch near where Scenic Drive crosses Stony Creek.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ river tubing rentals
➤ rowboats

kayaking on stony creek in new era michigan
Kayaking Stony Creek in New Era, Michigan

Arvesta Sports Complex in South Haven

05264 Co Rd 687, South Haven, MI 49090
Body of Water: Lake Arvesta

Arvesta Sports Complex may be the wildest outdoor water park in West Michigan.

In addition to insane water slides and water skiing, you can kayak, stand up paddle boards or try an SUP.

Boat rides also available and lifeguards are on duty. Basically, if you want to get on the water in any way, head to Arvesta Sports Complex.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ wakeboarding
➤ stand up paddle boards
➤ waterslides
➤ inflatable obstacle courses

lake arvesta kayaks

Up North Kayak, Canoeing & Tubing Rentals

Crystal River Outfitters in Glen Arbor

6249 W River Rd, Glen Arbor, Michigan 49636
Body of Water: Crystal River

This destination may be a long drive, but the Crystal River is beautiful. Crystal River Outfitters has kayaks and canoes, as well as stand up paddle boards for rent.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle board
➤ bike rentals

Crystal River Outfitters in Glen Arbor

Honor Trading Post in Honor

8294 Deadstream Road, Honor, MI 49640
Body of Water: Platte River

The Platte River in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was made for family river tubing and kayaking in Michigan.

It has a little bit of everything. The slow, meandering Lower Platte River ends at a gorgeous Lake Michigan beach!

Plus, it’s shallow and very family-friendly. Canoes, kayaks, and tubes available for rent. Tight turns and faster, the Upper Platte is for experienced paddlers.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle board
➤ food & drink

platte river tubing

Riverside Canoe Trips in Honor

8294 Deadstream Road, Honor, MI 49640
Body of Water: Platte River

If you want an amazing kayaking trip, consider the Platte River. It has a little bit of everything. You float down the river to a small lake, then hop back in the river only to end at a gorgeous Lake Michigan beach!

Plus, it’s shallow and very family-friendly. Get your canoe, kayak, raft or tube rental at Riverside Canoe Trips.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle board
➤ river tubing
➤ river rafting
➤ ice cream shop

Riverside Canoe Trips in Honor

Dune Grass Concessions – Ludington State Park

8800 M-116, Ludington, MI 49341
Body of Water: Hamlin Lake

Ludington State park is well known for its unique marked canoe pathway.

Launch your boat at the Hamlin Lake Beach and meander along the shore of Hamlin Lake.

Canoes are available to rent from the Hamlin Lake Concession Stand, where you can also rent stand up paddle boards, row boats, canoes, and kayaks. The Hamlin Lake Beach Concession is located at the east end of the park, near the Hamlin Lake boat launch.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle boards
➤ pedal boats
➤ row boats

Pere Marquette Expeditions

1649 South Pere Marquette Hwy, Ludington, MI 49431
Body of Water: Pere Marquette River

Kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle board rentals on the Pere Marquette River in Ludington, Michigan.

They also are a source for disc golf discs, food, and fishing needs.

➤ canoeing
➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle boards
➤ fishing needs

The River Outfitters

1910 W South Airport Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
Body of Water: Boardman Lake & Boardman River

Boardman Lake and Boardman River paddling experiences are on their menu, in addition to bike & brew trips and a bike, hike, and kayak package in Leelanau County.

➤ kayaking
➤ stand up paddle board
➤ bikes

Wilderness Canoe Trips

6052 Riverview Rd, Mesick, MI 49668
Body of Water: Big Manistee River

This is a bigger river but it doesn’t have rapids and there are sandy areas to stop and swim at along the way. It’s a beautiful stretch of wilderness. River tubing is a favorite here. Canoes, kayaks, and rafts also available.

➤ river tubes
➤ kayaking
➤ rafts
➤ canoe

Places to go Canoeing 

find places to go canoeing near me

Tell us where you paddle!

Do you have a spot great for families that we didn’t list? Please leave a comment below… we’d love to find out about more places for family floating adventures!

Grand Rapids kayak

About The Author

12 thoughts on “Kayaking, Canoeing & River Tubing in Michigan: 17 Unbeatable Places to Paddle on MI’s West Side”

  1. I have always wanted to try tubing with my family but I worried about the safety of my young kids in the water. Thank you so much for your tips and advice on all of these fun water activities. It’s good to know about all of the places you can go to do these recreational sports. We don’t live too far from White River so it would be convenient to go tubing there.

  2. I would love to try Kayaking but would feel more comfortable if I had some basic lessons. Is there any where that offers instructions/lessons on maneuvering & safety?

  3. My family and I went tubing on Stony Creek today. I’m hesitant to list it here cause I’m afraid posting here might make it a much more popular spot. Its only a one hour drive from Grand Rapids. Nice beach but hardly anyone there. I’m not a big fan of tubing. But this is only a 1 hour float, not too long, not too short. My kids are ages 2 and 4. I had life jackets on them. I sat in a little 2-man blow-up boat/raft with them with my paddle and we had a great time. My husband rented a tube at a place right now door to the Stony Creek Lake (where B-15 and Scenic Dr meet). The current is very slow. No rapids. For the most part the creek is quite sandy and not very rocky (though I’d still suggest wearing shoes). I don’t think the creek is any deeper than 3 feet high. We put the tubes in at the nice beach on Stony Lake and floated on Stony Creek right into Lake Michigan then stayed and played there for a while at Benona Township Park. https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5601359,-86.4977079,16z (I searched for the name of the tube rental and couldn’t find it. Sorry its not more specific.)

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