Wilderness Canoe Trips
Kayaking business nearby (~48 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet
Caution today
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Michigan
Big South Branch Pere Marquette River
Conditions: Caution
for canoeing, todayAgency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good
2 factors · 2 sources
Newest 11 h ago · oldest 11 h
caution: Agency alerts
26 active alerts in Huron-Manistee National Forest; most severe: Lumberman's Monument to close Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting Tuesday September 15, 2026
USFSPosted Sep 2 · checked 11 h ago
clear: Weather
Clear, high 63°F / low 44°F, 0% precip — 100/100 for canoeing
OpenWeather11 h ago
Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.
Why you'll love it
30.5 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
264 cfs avg flow
River facts
- Water
- Seasonal — can run dry
- Average flow
- 264 cfs
- Average current
- 1.2 ft/s
- Gradient
- 3.7 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 213 sq mi
Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.
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Big South Branch Pere Marquette River
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Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.
About this water
Big South Branch Pere Marquette River is a 31-mile paddling stretch near Bitely, Michigan. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 264 cfs and a gradient of about 3.7 feet per mile.
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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: en:User:Yetiwriter, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Pere Marquette River
~12 min drive
Pere Marquette River is a 4.7-mile paddling stretch near Branch, Michigan. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 793 cfs and a gradient of about 4.5 feet per mile.
Big Star Lake Boat Launch
~6 min drive
Big Star Lake Boat Launch is a boat launch in Michigan.
Photo: Doug Coldwell, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Big Sable River
~33 min drive
Big Sable River is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Fountain, Michigan. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 205 cfs and a gradient of about 5.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Reed Lake Boat Launch
~10 min drive
Reed Lake Boat Launch is a boat launch in Michigan.
Little South Branch Pere Marquette River
~20 min drive
Little South Branch Pere Marquette River is a 28-mile paddling stretch near Bitely, Michigan. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 125 cfs and a gradient of about 5.5 feet per mile.
Gleason's Landing River Access
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Michigan.
South Branch Pentwater River
~23 min drive
South Branch Pentwater River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Hart, Michigan. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 80 cfs and a gradient of about 11.4 feet per mile.
Gleason's Landing
~13 min drive
Gleason's Landing is a boat launch in Michigan.
North Branch Pentwater River
~25 min drive
North Branch Pentwater River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Pentwater, Michigan. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 91 cfs and a gradient of about 5.8 feet per mile.
Bowman Bridge Canoe Landing
~14 min drive
Bowman Bridge Canoe Landing is a boat launch in Michigan. It gives access to Bowman Lake Area.
Guided trips nearby
Local operators near Bitelyoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.
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