Pine National Scenic River Watercraft Permits (Huron Manistee)
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Welcome to the Wild and Scenic Pine River!
The lower 26 miles of the Pine River was designated as a National Scenic River in 1992. Scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river. The designated portion of the river contains a unique riparian landform with a deeply incised river channel and high, exposed, fragile sand banks. Dense vegetation contributes to the picturesque setting of the river.
The river gradient offers the fastest average flow of any river in lower Michigan.
Camping within the river corridor on National Forest lands is prohibited, except at Peterson Bridge Campground in the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Fees for using river access sites are charged under the Recreation Fee Enhancement Act.
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows the permit holder and their group to use one floating watercraft. Permits are available up to six months in advance. Watercraft permits are required for all watercraft, including tubes, from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend. Permits are required for all watercraft on the Pine River between Elm Flats and Low Bridge.
Printing Your Permit
You will be allowed to print your permit 14 days before your launch date. Changes cannot be made to the permit once it has been printed. Do not print your permit until you are sure you will not be making any changes. Either a paper copy or digital copy (PDF) of your printed permit will be accepted and must be presented when requested. You have to print the permit from your Recreation.gov account (whether on paper or as a PDF) for the permit to be considered issued. The confirmation email will not be accepted as proof of a permit.
Need to Know
The safety of visitors and protection of this wonderful, natural resource, are always our top priorities. As such, securing your permit also comes with agreement from you and your guests to the following:
- Glass bottles/containers, foam containers/coolers are prohibited on the Pine National Scenic River.
- Clothing is required at all times.
- Each watercraft occupant must have a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Children 6 and under must wear a PFD at all times.
- Camping and campfires in the Pine River corridor are only allowed at designated areas.
- Carry and display permit upon request of any Forest Officer.
Additional trip planning information includes:
- Bring onion bags or dry bags to fasten all belongings to your watercraft to prevent loss and littering.
- Pick-up and dispose of all trash at the appropriate stations.
- Additional fees ($5) are required at most day-use sites, including Elm Flats, Dobson, Peterson and Low Bridge.
- Fireworks are always illegal and drugs are always prohibited.
- Practice Leave No Trace Ethics. Be respectful of private property.
- Adhere to the four beverage/person limit. Bring drinking water with you or obtain from filters.
- The Pine National Scenic River contains unique riparian landforms with a deeply incised river channel. The high, exposed, sandy banks are fragile. Climbing the steep, sandy banks accelerates erosion rates and has detrimental effects on the river resource.
- The Pine River is a “Blue-Ribbon” cold-water fishery. In order to reduce conflicts between anglers and non-anglers, watercraft users are encouraged to limit boating hours between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Consult Michigan Department of Natural Resources for more fishing information.
- Launching and retrieving of motorized watercraft on National Forest System Lands in the corridor is prohibited.
Lincoln Bridge Launch Site information:
- Lincoln Bridge Launch Site is managed by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Camping is available at the Michigan DNR Campground at Lincoln Bridge.
- Lincoln Bridge to Elm Flats is 3.3 miles and typically takes 1.5 hours to paddle.
Fee Policy
The Reservation Fee ($6.00) is non-refundable. All parties floating the National Scenic Pine River must also pay a recreation fee in the amount of $2.00 per day per watercraft.
Watercraft permits are required for all watercraft, including tubes and stand-up paddle boards, from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Monday of Labor Day Weekend.
Printing Your Permit
You will be allowed to print your permit 14 days before your launch date. Changes cannot be made to the permit once it has been printed. Do not print your permit until you are sure you will not be making any changes. Either a paper copy or digital copy (PDF) of your printed permit will be accepted and must be presented when requested. You have to print the permit from your Recreation.gov account (whether on paper or as a PDF) for the permit to be considered issued. The confirmation email will not be accepted as proof of a permit.
Recreation Enhancement Act Fees are required at many Huron-Manistee National Forest River landings. Onsite fees are $5 per vehicle per day. Yearly and lifetime passes are sold at District Offices (Manistee, Baldwin, and Cadillac). Learn more about recreation passes and permits in this area.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
There are no refunds for canceling a reservation once you have printed your permit. Please note, your confirmation letter is not your permit.
Reservation Changes
Changes to the number of watercraft (8 maximum) on the reservation are allowed at any time prior to printing your permit. Increasing or decreasing the number of watercraft will incur additional fees/refunds. Changes to your trip date will require you to cancel your current reservation and reserve the desired date if permits (quota) are available. A reservation fee will be applied to the new reservation.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1170 Nursery Road Wellston MI 49689
TTY Dial 711 for Relay Service
Mailing Address
650 N. Michigan Ave. Drawer D Baldwin MI 49304
TTY Dial 711 for Relay Service
Phone Number
231-848-7090
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