Kayaking On Manistee River - Grayling, Michigan

A few summers ago, Garrett and I went to Michigan with his mom, step-dad, brother, and step-brother. It was great spending time at their house in Kalkaska, Michigan. We did a lot of fun things and we ate some delicious food while we were there. On a Saturday, we went into Grayling to go on a little kayaking adventure at Shel-Haven Canoe Rental. Shel-Haven offers kayak, canoe, and tube rental for you to enjoy the Manistee River.

You don't have to reserve but they recommend reserving your day. Reserve your day and number of people in your group, along with type of rental you will need so that they can set up the necessary equipment. Shel-Haven also recommends that you arrive before 11am if you would like to take a morning trip because after 11am they become very busy throughout the day. They have no set departure times but once they have a good amount of people they will take you a little ways down the road to Manistee River where your equipment is ready to go and you can take your trip down the river.

The Manistee River is the perfect place to take a nice kayaking/canoeing trip. It is beautiful and crystal clear so you can see the wildlife and plant life underneath the surface. It also flows like a lazy river so it makes for a slow, relaxing day down the river. The lazy river aspect is nice because any level of kayaker, young or old from beginner to experienced can take this trip easily. The area around the river is also gorgeous, with beautiful little houses/cabins hiding in the wooded area all around with wildlife to see. I actually saw my first mink at the side of the river while traveling in the kayak.

Before this trip to Michigan, I had been kayaking with some friends in Hilton Head, South Carolina. We went twice and I didn't like it either time we went, so I was skeptical to go this time but I really enjoyed it. I think it was the lazy river feeling, the fact that I was in a two-person kayak with Garrett and it wasn't a very long trip (maybe an hour and a half).

Wherever you are on the scale of feelings for kayaking, I highly recommend kayaking on Manistee River and using Shel-Haven for your equipment rental needs. They were friendly, quick, and able to get us to the river. Take a relaxing trip, kayaking down the Manistee River!

**Some side notes:

• They allow alcohol but not glass bottles

• Dress for the weather - it can be a little cooler on the water

• You can bring coolers

• If you bring your phone put it in a plastic bag