Michigan / Betsie River /

River Road

Carry-in (canoe and kayak) · on Betsie River · near Benzonia · Michigan

Open per Michigan DNR Boating Access Sites's data, updated weekly. Seasonal gates, low water and storms are not always posted; check before you tow.

At the launch

Type
Carry-in (canoe and kayak)
Fee
Recreation Passport required
Trailer parking
2 spaces
Car parking
2 spaces
Restrooms
No
Hours
Open at all times
Managed by
Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation
Coordinates
44.61738, -86.12251

Directions (Google) Apple Maps

On Betsie River

The Betsie River is a 54-mile river in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Most sources place its source at the outflow of Green Lake, between Karlin and Interlochen in Grand Traverse County. From there it runs southwest into Benzie County, passes briefly through northern Manistee County, and turns north back into Benzie County. Near the mouth it widens into Betsie Lake and then enters Lake Michigan between Frankfort and Elberta. The river drains about 155,026 acres and is part of Michigan's Natural Rivers Program. The Grass Lake Dam, built by the state Wildlife Division in 1951, holds back an impoundment of about 90 acres roughly 4 miles below Green Lake. Downstream, the former Consumers Energy power dam at Homestead was mostly removed in 1974 and now serves as a sea lamprey barrier. The old Thompsonville Dam failed in 1989 and was removed. More about Betsie River.

Boating rules on Betsie River

  • Fishing closed within 300 feet of the Homestead Dam lamprey barrier and fish passage facility from August 1 to November 15 (DNR regulation, effective 2020) source

Community

Where people who use Betsie River talk about it.

Nearby launches

Sources

Why it is listed as public: listed by Michigan DNR Boating Access Sites. Something wrong, or is this launch private? Corrections help everyone; a reporting form is coming soon.