With an average descent of 14 feet per mile, the Sturgeon River is the fastest river in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula! Not whitewater, but exciting and challenging with its quick and often tricky current, along with leaning trees, stumps, and logs (especially when navigating through numerous narrow passages and sharp turns!) The current does most of the work, but it is up to you and/or your partner(s) to maneuver your watercraft down the crystalclear, spring-fed stream, as it winds its way mostly through beautiful state forest. The average depth is 3-4 feet, however, there are deeper pools that can reach 5-8 feet, usually around the outside of bends. Plan on getting wet as many of our guests take an unplanned “refreshing” dunk! (approx. 80% tipover rate for Kayaks on longer trips, 0% for Rafts). Various types of paddlers can enjoy this exhilarating adventure as long as close attention is paid to the type of equipment used, as well as the section and/or length of the river trip. The shorter trips are less technical/easier and strongly recommended for Sturgeon River “first-timers”.

All river trip rates include:

• U.S. Coast Guard approved and safety-inspected quality equipment
• Paddles and PFD's (comfortable Type III Lifejacket)
• Shuttle service to the put-in point (most trips end at Burt Lake State Park, which has a great swimming beach!) See “Ending Point/Parking”

Ending Point: All River Trips end inside Burt Lake State Park! The designated ending point is located on the Sturgeon River inside the Park. This landing has a set of wooden stairs with Big Bear signage and is where you must turn in your equipment. Ending here allows for a short 4 minute walk back to your vehicle near the beach. Burt Lake State Park offers over 2,000 feet of sandy beach and crystal-clear water (great for swimming and playing) and  a large, day-use picnic area under towering oak and pine trees.  There’s a picnic pavilion, tables, grills, playground equipment, a beach volleyball court, horseshoes, baseball diamond and a 1-mile wooded hiking trail.

Parking:After signing up for your river trip, we will direct you to park your vehicle in the following locations: If TUBING, you will park your vehicle in our back parking lot here at Big Bear. If you are a NON-TUBER, then you will be instructed to park in the State Park right near the beach/picnic area where you have access to the park and its’ amenities all day! Be sure to carpool in order to bring the least amount of vehicles as possible. All NON-TUBERS are required to park all vehicles in the state park where there is no waiting at the end of your trip; your vehicle is ready w/ towels, beach toys, and picnic supplies, and most importantly, it is a wonderful way to finish your river adventure—swimming, relaxing, and playing at one of Northern Michigan’s most beautiful state parks! Any vehicle that goes into a state park needs a “Recreation Passport”. If you didn’t already buy a passport for $12 when you renewed your license tabs, you can purchase one from the state park for $17, motorcycles are $11 (good at ALL STATE PARKS until your license plate expires!) Vehicles with out-of-state license plates must purchase a daily permit for $9 (or an annual pass for $34). For more detailed information, please visit

Trips depart approximately every 1/2 hour from Memorial Day-Labor Day (Every Hour otherwise). For most trips, we shuttle you and your equipment to your desired starting point, and then you paddle back to the State Park where your car is conveniently parked; this is one of the best features of our trips! While on the river you can enjoy yourself and take as much time as you want –stop and swim, have a picnic lunch (no alcohol, no glass containers, and no Styrofoam or jumbo coolers!) sun yourself, etc., just as long as you respect private property and you are back by 7:00 pm. Extremely important- Please understand that there are 4 factors that can dramatically affect the approximate float time of our trips:

Trips depart every ½ hour from Memorial Day-Labor Day (Every hour otherwise). In order to maintain prompt departure times for our guests, it is required that everyone in your group arrive 30 minutes prior to your desired departure time. This allows us time to load equipment, and allows you time to change into proper attire and park your vehicle. Be sure to remove and store all valuable jewelry and personal property. You can spend as much time on the river as you like. However, all equipment must be returned by 7:00 pm or late charges will apply. Please allow yourself ample time, and note the latest departure time available for each trip.

Trips are available 7 days a week, May through mid-October (please call ahead May and October weekdays). Walk-ins are welcome, most of our guests are simply walk-ins and we are able to accommodate them on a “first come, first served” basis. However, please try to keep in mind that our busiest time is between 11:30 am and 2 pm. Earlier trips tend to see the most wildlife and fewest people. Although we have ample amounts of watercraft and transportation vehicles, there may be some unavoidable delays due to heavy volume at key times and /or on weekends. It’s always best to come in the morning if possible. To avoid disappointment, advance reservations are recommended, and are available only for trips departing at 11:00 am or earlier; we cannot hold equipment past this time. For these guaranteed reservations, a credit card is required (Visa, Mastercard, or Discovery). Cancellation Policy: Our policy on guaranteed reservations is a 72 hour cancellation notice. If a last minute cancellation is unavoidable and we are unable to re-rent the watercraft, your credit card will be charged for the rental.

For over 41 years, Big Bear Adventures has provided quality river trips for thousands of people, with an excellent safety record. Still, any river adventure will involve inherent risks and dangers, and can be physically demanding. We will ask you to assume the responsibility for many decisions affecting your safety. Our trips require varying degrees of fitness, and you must evaluate your fitness for any given trip. Big Bear Adventures assumes NO responsibility for injury to you or your personal property. All guests take the trip at their own risk and are required to read, understand, and sign an agreement to participate/liability release.

Big Bear Adventures reserves the right to change trip format, move trips to a different section of the river, or to another river if necessary due to weather conditions, water fluctuations, or other factors beyond our control. It is unlikely, but should we cancel a trip completely, we will refund your deposit. Such a refund will be limited to the actual deposit paid, and will not cover any other costs incurred by the guest. We reserve the right to turn away, at the livery or the put-in-point, any guest who we feel is not well-suited to the rigors of a particular Big Bear river trip.

A security deposit of a signed, open ended credit card imprint is required for each group prior to any river trip. It will be refunded when all equipment (from the entire group) is returned in good condition, and prior to 7:00 pm, which is our river equipment closing time. POSSIBLE EXTRA CHARGES: Lost or damaged Canoes, Kayaks, Rafts, Tubes, Cats, paddles, PFD’s (cushions or vests), and any other equipment issued by Big Bear Adventures will be charged to the guest at repair cost or replacement cost (whichever is lower), and the equipment security deposit from the group will be held until the claim is satisfied. In addition, pick up of guests and/or watercraft failing to complete designated trip will be charged a retrieval fee of $30/hour. It is highly recommended participants in this situation accompany staff in locating the equipment (unless manager requires). A $10 late charge per watercraft will be charged starting at 7:01 pm sharp as well as an additional $10 per watercraft for every 1/2 hour thereafter.