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Canoe Trip on the Lower Platte River Description

The whole family will enjoy this canoe trip down a gentle, shallow river with no whitewater worries. With clear water at a depth of 2 to 3 feet, even rank amateurs can paddle this gentle ride from the outfitter to a landing just before the mouth of the Platte River. If you want to spot wildlife, arrive before 9 a.m. and you might glimpse deer, heron, otters, bald eagles, and the elusive mink along the way. The 6.5-mile trip takes about two hours to complete, and when you reach the gravel pull-out at the end, you'll have views of Lake Michigan, the sandy face of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and North and South Manitou Islands.

Kid Tips

Babies: Even with the gentle waters of the Lower Platte, you might want to skip this trip with a baby, though infants ages 3 months and up are welcome and will be outfitted with Coast-Guard approved life rafts.

Toddlers & Pre-K: Up to two little kids can ride in the middle of a canoe between their parents and will be outfitted with life vests. Have them try to spot wild birds along the way.

Pre-Teens & Teens: Older kids will definitely want to rent their own tubes and lazily make their way along the river near your canoe.

Planning Notes

Easy to find. Riverside Canoe Trips is located in the southern portion of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, north of the Visitor Center.

Reservations recommended. During busy summer months, call to reserve a spot for your family.

Pick plum times to go. The most crowded times are between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Arriving early or late (just after they open at 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m.) will make for a more peaceful journey.

Rent tubes, canoes, and rafts. If you prefer to travel the Lower Platte on your own, Riverside also rents watercraft.

Lake crossing. You will cross Loon Lake on this trip, but sticking to the banks will allow crossing in the same shallow water as the rest of the journey.

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