Platte River Detail

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All Platte River

The Platte River has two main sections, divided by M-22. The upper section is quick and challenging, and the lower is wide and peaceful. Much of the river traverses through state land or the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, with a natural and serene setting, and abundant with wildlife. Two lakes, Platte and Loon, must be traversed along the trip.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Most all the river is clean clear water and less than 3 feet deep, with the exception of Platte and Loon lakes. The upper section is less than 50′ wide, and the lower over 75′ wide. The bottom is mostly sand and gravel.
  • Bank Conditions. Mixed woods.
  • Development. Mostly remote, with the exception of going through Honor.

Statistics

  • Length: 15 miles.
  • Duration: 6 hours.
  • Difficulty: The upper section is somewhat challenging with intermediate skills required. The lower section is slow and wide, easy for beginners, with a traverse across Loon Lake.
  • Current: Initially a quick current, then gradually slows when approaching Lake Michigan, with no current crossing the lakes and ponds.

River Play

  • River Break: Easy to get out right in the river in the upper sections, and some places to stop downstream of Loon Lake in the lower section.
  • Nature: Wildlife is present through the state and federal public lands.
  • Fishing: Salmon in September and October, and steelhead in March and April.

US-31 to Honor

Go To Play Plan

This section is broken down into two parts.

  • Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground to Pioneer Road.
  • Pioneer Road to South Road.

Veterans Memorial Campground to Pioneer Road

Narrow, shallow, and quick start from Vet’s Memorial until a little downstream of Haze Road. The corridor settles and widens for a stretch of beautiful cottages along River Road. A mix of quick and calm waters with high precipitous banks carries you past the State Forest Campground to Pioneer Road.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Quick current, less than 40 feet wide, rarely deeper than 3 feet, with sand/gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Cedar forested bank with areas of steep slopes. Beautiful.
  • Development. Mostly state-owned property with few cottages.
  • Caution. Fisherman can crowd the river for salmon in September and October, and steelhead in March and April.

Access Notes

  • Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground. At US-31 Bridge. Nice drop off area and deck to get in. Parking available at campground.
  • Haze Road. Medium difficulty access. Roadside parking.
  • Pioneer Road Bridge. Medium difficulty access. Roadside parking.
  • Staging Distance. Similar to the river length.

Statistics

  • Length: 3.7 miles.
  • Duration: 1 hour.
  • Difficulty: [B] Intermediate. Challenging to navigate, many obstructions, quick current, can get caught in tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: The riverbank is sensitive, but there are areas to stop and take a break.
  • Nature: Blue herons, waterfowl, deer, with trout and salmon during spawning seasons.
  • Fishing: Salmon in September and October, and steelhead in March and April.

Pioneer Road to South Road

Medium width and current speed, with period boulders and shallow spots. All around mix of ease, cottages, and nature.

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Medium-speed current, around 50 feet wide, rarely deeper than 3 feet, with sand/gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Mix of wooded conditions.
  • Development. Mostly state-owned property with few cottages, until coming into Honor which is more populated.
  • Caution. Watch for boulders below Platte River SF Campground. Fisherman can crowd the river for salmon in September and October, and steelhead in March and April.

Access Notes

  • Pioneer Road Bridge. Medium difficulty access. Roadside parking.
  • Platte River State Forest Campground. Somewhat of a haul to river, but flat and easy access.
  • South Street. Roadside parking with short steep access to river. Exit on right side.
  • Staging Distance. Similar to the river length.

Statistics

  • Length: 2.4 miles.
  • Duration: 1 hour.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles.
  • Current: [B] Quick current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Not much available, due to the sensitivity of the riverbank and swiftness of current.
  • Nature: Blue herons, waterfowl, deer, with trout and salmon during spawning seasons.
  • Fishing: Salmon in September and October, and steelhead in March and April.

Honor to Platte Lake

Remote wooded area that transitions from a narrow, shallow, and quick rolling banks to low wet area.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Transitioning from shallow and quick to gradually more deep and slow, downstream of Indian Hill Road approaching Platte Lake. Alternating shallow sand & gravel riffles with deeper holes.
  • Bank Conditions. Urban area transitioning to low lands approaching the Platte Lake area.
  • Development. Starting out in Honor, then the lower section is remote and uninhabited.
  • Cautions. Crossing Platte Lake in high winds can be challenging.

Access Notes

  • South Street. Roadside parking with short steep access to river. Exit on right side.
  • Henry Street. Not?.
  • Indian Hill Road Bridge. No access, no parking.
  • Deadstream Road. Access from small tributary off the Platte River. Roadside parking with short carry to river access.
  • Staging Distance. 3.3 miles.

Statistics

  • Length: 3.7 miles.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [C] Beginner-Intermediate. Need to steer, few obstructions, easily avoid tangles. Transitions from quick to slower while approaching Platte Lake.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Not available, due to the sensitivity of the riverbank and/or swiftness of current.
  • Nature: Blue herons, waterfowl, deer, with trout and salmon during spawning seasons. Very remote section of river approaching Platte Lake, virtually only accessible by boat.
  • Fishing: Salmon in September and October, and steelhead in March and April.

M-22 to Lake Michigan

Slow, serene, and scenic with assorted hardwoods, cedar, and pines through the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, with a traverse across Loon Lake, and commencing at Lake Michigan and sand dunes. Except in the heat of the Summer, when it can be one of the most populated gathering spots for people to float the water. Note that this section is very popular and the access points are fee areas for the National Park. Bear to the right when crossing Loon Lake.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Moderate current, wider than 75′, sand and gravel bottom, and seldom deeper than 3 feet except in Loon Lake.
  • Bank Conditions. A mix of upland bank, open lake, and wet bank.
  • Development. All within the National Park, but some cottages still remain.
  • Cautions: Crossing Loon Lake in high winds can be challenging, especially in a tube. Follow along the right (North) shore toward the outlet.

Access Notes

  • Platte River Park. Canoe launch and picnic area below the bridge on the right.
  • Loon Lake Boat Launch. East shore of Loon Lake, just south of the river’s inlet.
  • Fish Weir. Pedestrians access only.
  • El Dorado Park. One mile from the mouth of the river, access on right side.
  • Platte River Point. Access is excellent at the boat launch at the mouth, where there is good access and parking, as well as restrooms, water, and picnic area.
  • Staging Distance: 4.3 miles.

Statistics

  • Length: 5 miles.
  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] Beginner. Wide area, rare obstructions, gentle current.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface, except on Loon Lake, which is flat.
  • Portage: Portage required at the Fish Weir.

River Play

  • River Break: Take a break at the fish weir.
  • Nature: Depends on the volume of people…
  • Fishing: