River Trips
Lower Platte River (2 hour trip)
Friendly river with a gentle current -- ideal for the whole family! The average river depth is 2-3 feet and flows through a small lake.
While the trip takes approximately 2 hours, most people can't resist making a day of it.
The trip ends at Lake Michigan with a beautiful sugar sand beach.
Upper Platte River (4 hour trip) Fast Water
Fast and exciting, not white water, but close to it. Clean, spring fed waters and a fast current with an average depth of 2-3 feet. A good part of this trip is narrow with quick turns and overhanging branches.
The trip takes approximately 3-4 hours and is for those high spirited people who are more experienced and eager for a new challenge.
Quiet Time On the River - River Trips
To enjoy a more peaceful trip on the "Lower Platte" during July & August, please come to Riverside before 10 A.M. or after 3:30 P.M.
A beautiful and quiet time to canoe the river is just after we open at 8:00 in the morning or after 5:00 in the evening during July and August. If you canoe or tube the "Lower Platte" between 10 and 3:30, expect to see a number of other people on the river.
Lake Michigan Sunset - River Trips
For groups of 20 or more, Riverside offers a Sunset Trip which leaves our Scenic Highway location arount 5:00 P.M.
You provide the food, and the campfire at the end of the trip is on us!.
Trips end at a picnic area near the sandy beach at Lake Michigan.
Group rates are always available for this trip, even on weekends in July and August. Reservations are required. Operating hours are shorter, early and late in the season, please call for details.
Wildlife River Trips
Canoe or kayak early, before 9:00 A.M. or late in the day, after 5 P.M. in July and August Bring your film or digital cameras. Yes riverside does carry film and disposable cameras.
Nature photographers will find this the best time to see the wildlife that abounds in this wilderness area - deer, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, wild turkey, geese, swans, ducks, herons, hawks, eagles, and more!
Fall Canoeing Favorites
Come canoeing in the fall and experience the fascinating upstream migration of salmon in the Platte River. The salmon usually begin their "run" upstream during the week of September 15th and continue until mid-October. It is an experience of a lifetime. This is a quieter time on the river as the schools and universities are back in session. Many agree that this is the best time of the year. Call for details.