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    Riverside Canoe Trips

    3.1 (60 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Floating on the Platte River
    Art C.

    We've taken the Platte River 2-hour tube float twice with Riverside Canoe Rental. The last trip was in July 2016. This float starts downstream from a dam and ends just before Lake Michigan. Both times we've been there there have been plenty of cheerful, helpful workers. They also have a 1 hour trip, but it doesn't end at Lake Michigan. There's an informational video to watch that gives all the details about drop off, car shuttle and safety. The staff will write your float document, you pay and leave a deposit (cash is best as they can just hand it back to you when you're done). Then head downstairs for the van driver. Riverside's van pulling a trailer of tubes takes your party, except for your driver, to the end. Your driver takes your vehicle to the one of the parking lots at the end. Park in one of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore lots or along the road WITH your national park permit, or there's one county lot that charges $5. Riverside's van then picks up your driver and takes your party upstream to the start. You'll be offered plastic bags to put your stuff in and cord for tie-up. The plastic bags can be knotted and they're pretty good at keeping your stuff dry. Then it's a short walk along a gravel road from the drop off to the river, WEAR SANDALS for the walk. There are a few wooden stairs on the river's sandy bank, and then you're on the water. The float takes 2 to 3 hours. The river water was warm both times we've gone (July & August). The current is relaxed but steady and will carry you along. The variable is the wind, a tail wind will make the float faster, a head wind will make it slower. On a previous float we had a strong headwind as we reached the end and had to hop off and walk in the river for a short time. The river varies in depth from mere inches to several feet, All along the float we saw people standing in the water, they were usually knee to waist high. There's a stopping point approximately half way, we reached it in 45 minutes. It has a ramp out of the river (it's slippery!!!), a picnic bench and trash cans. At the river's end a worker from Platte River Canoe collects your tube and marks your receipt so you can get the deposit back. You'll have your vehicle right there. There's a changing room and washrooms, but no showers or vending.

    My kids first trip down the river!  Made me so happy!

    So I'm a little heavy but I wanted my kids to experience canoeing down to Lake Michigan as I had done during summers of my youth. I investigated weight limits by canoe, kayak, tubes... I signed us up for the canoe, my kids the double kayak. The young staff were always professional, supportive and helpful. My greatest fear was getting in the canoe. There was one young man sitting on the dock to stabilize it. I was about to ask if I could use his shoulder when s second young man arrived to help as well. It was perfect. I loved them so much for making me so very comfortable and able to share this experience with my children. I will never forget your impact on me as a child or now as an adult. Bless your young, nonjudgmental staff. I hope my children will someday return such kindness as you have to me. I would be so proud !

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Loved the kayak trip itself but employees don't explain anything and an angry old man who drives the shuttle bus was an absolute jerk.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Riverside Canoe Trips

    Review Highlights - Riverside Canoe Trips

    Even the beer was exactly what I would expect for the craft beer I was buying daily for our kayak down the Platte River.

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    The Dempsey Manor - Really cool nooks for display of artifacts in the dining room.

    The Dempsey Manor

    5.0(5 reviews)
    33.9 mi

    Stop what you're doing and book a stay at the Dempsey Manor. It's an old Victorian home that has…read morepassed hands a few times, and currently is a bed-and-breakfast, one of the most charming and cute that I've ever seen. Stayed here for one night during a Northwest Michigan nature getaway. Jan and Jim are both super hip kind folks that gladly take care of your every need or want. Jan was very accommodating with my vegan lifestyle and made me a delicious breakfast. The rooms are all decorated different, with lots of original and traditional Victorian decor. Lots of opportunity to learn about the history of the home, the prior owners, and the town. Plenty of literature. The sunroom is fantastic! There's really so much to say, but I'll leave it at-trust this five star review and book your stay here, ASAP!

    I didn't get to stay here yet because I did t make a reservation early enough, but I still got to…read morego in for a tour. For a fifteen dollar donation I got to enjoy two hours of Jim's hospitality, meeting the cats and the talkative parrot Josefina - Jose for short. The collections are really impressive, the architecture is both stunning and cozy. I wish I could hang out with Jim and Jan for the whole weekend just learning about them, the house and the collections. I learned a lot!

    Photos
    The Dempsey Manor - From the balustrade looking down into the foyer

    From the balustrade looking down into the foyer

    The Dempsey Manor - Foyer with the largest of the home's fireplaces. Jose on his perch chattering away.

    Foyer with the largest of the home's fireplaces. Jose on his perch chattering away.

    The Dempsey Manor - The Sun Room-so charming and cozy!

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    The Sun Room-so charming and cozy!

    Walstrom Marine  - My first boat. Yay!

    Walstrom Marine

    2.3(16 reviews)
    22.7 mi

    I bought a used pontoon boat a few years ago from them. It's been a great boat and their…read morerecommendation to buy it was good advice. I've had the boat serviced by them for the last couple of years. So far, everything has been fine. They are very nice, and responsive. Everyone seems to care and know what they are doing. I found the owner very pleasant and concerned with addressing concerns.

    DO NOT GIVE GRAND BAY MARINE YOUR BUSINESS!!! Absolutely horrible experience that I hope nobody…read moreelse has to endure. The whole operation is a phony scam and it all starts from the top with the owner Liz. They promised heated indoor storage, took our money, and were unable to provide us with indoor heated storage come late October. Mike the service manager was a complete ass when trying to come up with a plan as to what they were going to do, while the boat sat outside in the elements for weeks. They then transported the boat to another facility, and during the process proceeded to wreck the boat costing $32,000 in total damages. After months and months of back and forth email exchanges and getting nowhere, I began to get very frustrated and asked for an in person meeting to discuss how we were going to move forward. Owner liz and crew met with me and assured me that she would handle it. We left the meeting after coming up with a plan to order parts and start the repair process, in which they said we would have to wait weeks before other boats are worked on in their shop first. They cashed the two party insurance check and then proceeded to do nothing once again. After another week of them not doing anything, I once again followed up to see what was going on and Liz absolutely lost her cool with me. She called me a "little baby", told me that she was not going to give me my money back, and told me that I was not allowed at her place of business...! I had to work with their insurance company directly on how to recover the money to get my boat repaired. Thank god this nightmare is coming to an end as we were able to get the boat and drive it down to Grand Haven where things are finally getting done!! We did learn that they also did not perform oil changes, did a horrible job with acid on the waterline, and prepped the boat like they were just going to leave it outside and not tell us (they actually did this to another customer we've heard from). It never ends with these guys. Horrible, horrible experience. Stay far away from Grand Bay Marine. You're asking for a lot of trouble. This is the first review I've ever written. I'm not one to post something like this, but this company is really that awful that I felt the need to. Thank you for your time, and I hope this helps spread awareness as to how shady Liz and her company Grand Bay Marine truly are.

    Photos
    Walstrom Marine  - The best in the business! Tammy and Matt at Grand Bay Marine. The very best place to purchase a boat.

    The best in the business! Tammy and Matt at Grand Bay Marine. The very best place to purchase a boat.

    Walstrom Marine
    Walstrom Marine

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    Riverside Canoe Trips - boating - Updated May 2026

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