May 22nd is Opening Day at Riverside Canoes
We will be open for ice cream, gas, groceries, gifts, and limited capacity water rentals. We will even have the grill open on Saturday and Sunday. We will have some procedures and best practices we will be following for the safety of both our staff and our customers. As it relates to renting watercraft, we would suggest that you make a paid-in-advance reservation over the phone. We will be trying to minimize the need for coming into the store.
Rentals and Transportation
The best-case scenario to have a designated driver drop your party off and pick them up when they are done. The second choice is to bring multiple vehicles and self-shuttle leaving one car at the beach and one on Lake Michigan Road. Lastly, if we must transport, we ask you to come in as few vehicles as possible. We will only transport 1 driver in your party, and the driver MUST wear a mask. As it relates to customers just needing a shuttle, it will be determined if we will have the capacity to do so. We are sorry to have this stance, but we are running with limits.
Please remember that groups of 10 or less are ok if you practice social distancing. Be kind to others. Everyone has their own comfort zone.
Sleeping Bear Dunes Opens Some Recreational Areas
Beginning Friday, May 22, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will reopen access to the following areas in the National Park.
- Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail;
- all park hiking trails and trailheads;
- picnic areas;
- parking areas;
- boat launches;
- Dune Climb; and
- vault toilets
The following facilities remain CLOSED at this time:
- the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire;
- all campgrounds and camping;
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive;
- all museums and indoor exhibits; and
- full-service restrooms
For more detailed information on the Sleeping Bear Dunes visit their website.
Stay Safe and Have Fun
Our staff will be wearing a mask and doing our best to take care of you in our limited capacity and adjusting to our new protocols.
Please know that we are all very excited to welcome you, but please be patient with us. This is a learning experience for all of us. We are looking forward to a beautiful weekend and an interesting kickoff to summer. Please feel free to call or message us with any questions you may have. Here’s to safe paddling.
