Betsie River Detail

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All Betsie River

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Moderate current over sand and gravel bottom, rarely deeper than six feet.
  • Development. The majority of the river traverses the Pere Marquette State Forest with little developed land.

Statistics

  • Length: 59 miles
  • Duration: 22 hours
  • Difficulty: Think of the entire river like a bell curve… Starts out easy, then gradually increases in difficulty through the middle section, then ends up easy.
  • Current: The current is fairly consistent with the difficulty range. During low water, expect occasional bottom scraping .

Green Lake to Thompsonville

Go To Play Plan

The upper third is broken down into three sections

  • Green Lake to Grass Lake Campground.
  • Grass Lake Campground to Wallin Road Bridge.
  • Wallin Road Bridge to Thompsonville.

Green Lake to Grass Lake Campground

A leisurely float in Green Lake and along slow waters from the dam backwaters.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Slow and shallow, sprawling from dam backwaters.
  • Bank Conditions. Low lands.
  • Development. Virtually none, traversing through State Land.

Access Notes

  • Green Lake. DNR boat launch about a half mile north of the mouth. Parking lot.
  • Grass Lake Campground. Upstream most point of campground. Easy access on right side of river.
  • Staging Distance: 9 mi.

Statistics

  • Length: 5 miles.
  • Duration: 2.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [E] Beginner. Wide area, no obstructions, little to no current.
  • Current: [D] No current visible on surface.
  • Portage: Grass Lake State Forest Campground Dam. Requires portage on the right, if continuing on.

River Play

  • Nature: Bird watching and fishing.

Grass Lake Campground to Wallin Road Bridge

Shallow, clear water, moderate current and virtually inhabited.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Moderate current and very shallow. Very clean water with heavy weeds and vegetation. Approximately 50 feet wide, with sand & gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Mature upland woods.
  • Development. Virtually none, traversing mostly through State Land.
  • Caution. During summer, especially when dry, can easily get stuck on the bottom due to shallow water. Also, plan for log jams.

Access Notes

  • Grass Lake Campground. Upstream most point of campground. Easy access on right side of river.
  • Wallin Road. Moderately steep with some roadside parking.
  • Staging Distance: 3.7 mi.

Statistics

  • Length: 4 miles.
  • Duration: 2.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Frequent shallow gravel areas for stopping.
  • Nature: Bird watching.

Wallin Road Bridge to Thompsonville

Mature wooded landscape, with a few small tributaries feeding the river. Starting from Wallin Rd, the river may be shallow with frequent bottom scraping, especially until Long Road. After King Road, the current picks up a bit until reaching the site of the old washed out dam, at the Betsie Valley Trail crossing. The Little Betsie River joins the main river, adding to the flow and cooling the water temperature a bit.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Sand & gravel bottom, very shallow, 30-50 feet wide. Nearing Thompsonville, after King Road, the river quickens at the site of the old dam.
  • Bank Conditions. Mature upland woods, with small tributaries feeding the river.
  • Development. Periodic riverside residences.
  • Caution. During summer, especially when dry, can easily get stuck on the bottom due to shallow water. Plan for log jams.

Access Notes

  • Wallin Road. Moderately steep with some roadside parking.
  • Long Road.
  • Carmean Road Bridge.
  • Thompsonville Road Bridge. Steep and fast moving traffic with poor roadside parking.
  • King Road Bridge. Roadside parking.
  • Wolf Road. Good access downstream of bridge. Right side short, but steep. Left side, about 50 yards below the bridge, easy pull but long. Pit toilet. Overnight parking is not allowed.
  • Staging Distance: 6.1 mi.

Statistics

  • Length: 7.4 miles.
  • Duration: 3.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Frequent shallow gravel areas for stopping.
  • Nature: Some cottages, otherwise mature wooded area for habitat..

Thompsonville to Beulah

Go To Play Plan

The middle third is broken down into two sections

  • Thompsonville to County Line Road Bridge.
  • County Line Road Bridge to Homestead Dam.

Thompsonville to County Line Road Bridge

The river slightly quickens after Thompsonville, then slows down some and widens below Kurick Road, with frequent river bends.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. The current flows at a moderate pace, with sand and gravel bottom, and occasional large rocks. Below Kurick Road, the river slows, with occasional quick gravel riffle sections, with predominant sand holes at the bends and more turbidity in the water.
  • Bank Conditions. Thick wooded lowlands.
  • Development. Periodic farmland properties.
  • Caution. Periodic logs and snags can be encountered just under the surface, as well as unexpected fallen trees.

Access Notes

  • Wolf Road. Good access downstream of bridge. Right side short, but steep. Left side, about 50 yards below the bridge, easy pull but long. Pit toilet. Overnight parking is not allowed.
  • Lindy Rd. No access.
  • M-115. No access.
  • Kurick Road Bridge. Fair access.
  • Psutka Road. Fair access.
  • North County Line Rd Bridge. Exit upstream of bridge on right side. Small dirt access road. Road crossing is two small tubes, but passable. Parking along road.

Statistics

  • Length: 13.3 miles. Wolf Road to Kurick Road: 5.5 mi. Kurick Rd to County Line Road: 7.8 mi.
  • Duration: 4 hours.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Very few stops exist.
  • Nature: Bird watching.

County Line Road Bridge to Homestead Dam

The river gradually transitions from moderate rate to the slower moving backwaters of the Homestead Dam.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Transition from moderate current to slowing while approaching the Homestead Dam, with sand and gravel bottom, and generally less than 6 feet deep.
  • Bank Conditions. Transitioning landscape with hardwood forested ridges to wet cedar stands. At the lower end, the banks are the low land regrowth of the former Homestead Dam, which has been replaced with a low-head dam.
  • Development. Periodic farmland properties.

Access Notes

  • North County Line Rd Bridge. Exit upstream of bridge on right side. Small dirt access road. Road crossing is two small tubes, but passable. Parking along road.
  • Old King Road.
  • M-115. No access.
  • Homestead Dam. Access the river from the North by vehicle. Parking 40+/-, pit toilet. Take-out & Put-in on right. Easy ramp for take-out. Put-in requires 300’+/- pull along chipped stone path.

Statistics

  • Length: 14 miles. County Line Road to M-115: 7.5 mi. M-115 to Homestead Dam: 5.5 mi.
  • Duration: 4 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] Beginner. Wide area, rare obstructions, gentle current.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface.
  • Portage: Homestead Dam. Requires portage on the right, if continuing on. Approximately 300′ boat dragging on chipped stone path. Medium difficulty.

River Play

  • Fishing.

Beulah to Frankfort

Gradually slowing and widening while approaching Betsie Lake, starting around the West River Road crossing. The scenery begins generally low and wet with some heavily wooded and hilly relief banks, then widening to a large open wetland just upstream of the lake. The lower section is good for 2-person kayak to allow breaks from paddling.

Go To Play Plan

Section Notes. Float from the East River Road access to the West River Road access to avoid flat water and exit challenges in Betsie Lake. Take about 1-1/2 hours. Plan for 2 hours and paddling required between the West River Road access and Betsie Lake exit.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. The river is a darkened water color and begins to slow to a moderate current approaching Betsie Lake, at a width 30-50 feet to the West River Road access, then widens to about 100 feet with slower current. Depth generally 3′-5′, but cannot see holes.
  • Bank Conditions. Mostly low, wet, and flat, but some hills and generally all mature woods, widening out to a big wetland area near Betsie Lake. The wet condition of the woods creates an abundant habitat for biting bugs.
  • Development. Periodic houses, but mostly remote and natural.
  • Caution. Slow current, gradually reducing to flat water. Strong winds may require strenuous paddling, while approaching Betsie Lake. Heavily fished during Steelhead and Salmon spawning, especially around the Homestead Dam.

Access Notes

High Water Note. If floating to Betsie Lake, check clearance under M-22 bridge and the Betsie Valley Trail Railroad Trestle Bridge. See specific notes below for exit options.

  • Homestead Dam. Access the river from the North by vehicle. Parking 40+/-, pit toilet. Take-out & Put-in on right. Easy ramp for take-out. Put-in requires 300’+/- pull along chipped stone path.
  • US-31. DNR launch site, just upstream of US-31 Bridge. Restroom and parking, with 100-yard carry to the river.
  • Grace Road. DNR launch site just below Grace Road Bridge, with 100-yard carry to the river.
  • River Road (East crossing). First River Road launch. Kayak rails and gradual slope with drop off at the launch. Access on right side, just upstream of the bridge. 3 parking spaces, with little room for a trailer. Once known as Smith Bridge.
  • River Road (West crossing). Second River Road launch. Concrete launch big enough for small fishing boats, with gradual slope with drop off at the launch. On right side, just upstream of the bridge. 10+ parking spaces, with room for a trailer. Once known as Lewis Bridge.
  • Betsie Valley Trail Railroad Trestle Bridge. No access.
  • Betsie Lake- Upstream of M-22 Bridge. If you cannot get under M-22, seek landing to the left (West). The Betsie Valley Trailhead exists just South of M-22, West side of the river/lake, allowing a rugged exit.
  • Penfold Park. If able to continue under M-22 bridge, take a hard left (West) to reach the park.

Statistics

  • Length: 15.3 miles. Homestead Dam to River Road East: 4.6 mi. River Road East to River Road West: 3.8 mi. River Rd West to Betsie Valley Trail Bridge: 4.9 mi. Betsie Valley Trail Bridge to Lake Michigan: 2 mi.
  • Duration: 5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] River Road to River Road, some large obstacles require maneuvering, however current is slow to make it easy. [E] Downstream of West River Road access to Betsie Lake, wide and virtually no current.
  • Current: [C] River Road to River Road, slow current visible on surface. [E] Downstream of West River Road access to Betsie Lake, virtually no current.

River Play

  • River Break: Virtually no land stops, a few periodic sandbars, but many small lagoon type ponded areas to rest in the boat.
  • Nature: Significant habitat for wildlife, and easy floating for watching. The wide marshland just upstream of Betsie Lake is a great birdwatching area. Spotted Blue Herons, racoon, deer, beaver, and numerous other birds.
  • Fishing: Fishing in the Spring (March-April) for Steelhead and Fall (September-October) for Salmon. Other fish species in ponded areas around the Homestead Dam and Betsie Lake.

Staging

  • Bicycle ride from Betsie Lake to East River Road access is half on the Betsie Valley Trail, and half on River Road. Low traffic with minimal shoulders, safe for intermediate bikers – not small children. Took 40 minutes at leisure pace.