FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Depending on your level of paddling experience, we generally recommend that most people try out rafting when on the Sturgeon for the 1st time. This is by far our most stable watercraft, and perfect for families/groups. Rafting promotes teamwork, and allows you to get a feel for the Sturgeon (without worrying about capsizing) before you decide to try out a more challenging piece of equipment.

The cost for river trips depends on the length of the trip and the type of watercraft rented. Standard trips vary from 1 ½ hours to 5 hours. Longer trips and overnight trips are by special arrangement only.

We offer genuine white water grade rafts, kayaks, tube trackers (inflatable kayaks), and tubes. All of our rentals include personal flotation devices, paddles, maps, and transportation to the starting point.

The Sturgeon River is the fastest river in the lower peninsula of Michigan, yet without whitewater. It is considered a Class I and II river, which means a quick and often tricky current, numerous narrow passages and sharp turns, low-hanging trees, and surface logs.

We are very fortunate due to the fact that the Sturgeon River is a naturally spring-fed river, and therefore, has a constant flow. The water levels can be affected with large amounts of rain, but fortunately the water levels do not decrease much with a drought, which is unlike most other rivers.

Big Bear Adventures HIGHLY discourages the consumption of alcohol while on the river. The Sturgeon River is a technical, narrow, winding river and demands close attention while paddling. We LOVE sober paddlers! It is unlawful to operate a watercraft while intoxicated. Big Bear reserves the right to turn away any guest at any time, who appears to be intoxicated, with no refund issued. Although we don’t regularly check small coolers, we do reserve the right to check large coolers, bags, etc. taken on a river trip.

Alcohol is prohibited before or during all Side-by-Side Tours.

You are allowed to bring your own PFD’s on our trips, as long as it is U.S. Coast Guard approved. However, Big Bear Adventures does supply each paddler with a properly fitting type III U.S. Coast Guard Approved Life vest. We have sizes available for every age and body type.

Reservations: Highly Recommended

While reservations are not required, we highly recommend them to guarantee availability, especially for larger groups and rentals. Walk-ins are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot guarantee availability for those without reservations.

Weather Note:

Weather conditions can occasionally impact trip departures. For the latest updates and to confirm your trip (walk-in or reservation), please call us before you arrive.

For SxS Tours:

See dedicated section below.

To avoid peak crowds and enjoy a quieter experience, we recommend arriving early, especially in summer when we’re busiest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early morning trips offer a better chance of seeing wildlife and a smoother trip. We suggest making a reservation in advance. Check each equipment type for specific departure times.

While there is always inherent risk involved in taking a trip down the Sturgeon River, we offer equipment for all ages and skill levels. We do not recommend for children to go on longer trips or  in kayaks due to their high tip-over rate. However, rafts are by far our most popular watercraft, and are perfect for families of all age ranges. These rafts are built for true whitewater rivers (even though there is no whitewater on the Sturgeon), making them nearly impossible to tip over.

We welcome you to bring snacks/drinks along with you on your adventure. Big Bear Adventures offers a Subway® sandwich shop and general store stocked with all types of snacks and drinks available for you to take with you while on the river. The most important part to remember- NO Styrofoam, glass, or large heavy coolers are allowed, and anything that comes out of your bag/cooler must go right back in. Our river is natural and pristine, and we hope our customers show the utmost respect for the river and private landowners. No trash left behind!

Given the fast pace and challenging conditions of the river, it’s important to be prepared. Please consider the weather conditions on the day of your trip as well. We recommend bringing or purchasing at our general store:

Dress in a bathing suit or light quick-drying clothing that can get wet on the river. We suggest wearing sandals/waterproof shoes with straps, as flip-flops can easily be lost in the water. Our General Store offers affordable river shoes in various sizes for both kids and adults! Do not wear or bring anything you would want to lose or valuable.

Big Bear Adventures does NOT recommend to bring along anything that you don’t want to risk losing or getting wet; this includes keys, jewelry, electronics, watches, purses/wallets, etc.

Unfortunately, we cannot allow any pets in any of our inflatables (rafts, tubes, or tube trackers). You can however, depending on the size of your animal, bring along your pet in a hard kayak. Please do keep in mind, that there is very little space for them and dogs do throw off the center of balance in your boat and DRAMATICALLY increase your chances of tipping over. If you do tip over it can be hazardous to your pet. We DO NOT recommend this.

Unlike most liveries, Big Bear Adventures has multiple put-in points along the Sturgeon River, but a common ending point for all but our “Mid-Section” river trips. The common ending point is directly across from our location at Burt Lake State Park. For all river trips (except tubing trips), our guests will be instructed when and where to park their vehicles at the State Park, which will require the annual DNR “Recreation Passport” (or non-resident day or annual pass) to be displayed on the vehicle.

Our hours vary greatly with the time of year. Our official paddling season goes from May through October. For Memorial- Labor Day weekend, our first paddling trip departs at 9 am. The last departure time for each day varies depending on the watercraft and trip length. All equipment must be returned by 7 pm. Please see the specific watercraft’s webpage for departure times. For all trips before Memorial Weekend &/or after Labor Day weekend, please call ahead.

Yes, Big Bear Adventures offers haul-it yourself rentals of kayaks and tubes during our summer season. Kayaks may be rented for a 24 hour period or longer. Tubes may be rented and returned the same day.

Yes, Big Bear Adventures offers vehicle spotting and shuttle service for people with their own equipment. However, not all privately-owned equipment can be accommodated, especially tubes/rafts, and is up to the manager’s discretion. This service can be temporarily suspended during peak weekends or other high volume river trip customer periods.

We offer fantastic group deals for schools, family reunions, birthdays, corporate outings, wedding parties, non-profit youth groups, and church groups! Advanced reservations are required, and group packages are available combining one or more attractions with river trips. Please see our page dedicated to group packaging for more information.

Our 18-hole adventure golf course costs:

Ages: 13+ $9.95

Ages 6-12: $8.95

Ages 4-5: $4.95

Children 3 years old and under play for free!

Big Bear Adventures is affiliated with the Northwoods Lodge, just 1 mile north of our location. We also offer an on-site group lodging option. Anyone who stays in either establishment receives a 10% discount off any river trip!

Indian River has several dining establishments. The Brown Trout Restaurant and Tavern and Vivio’s serve a variety of lunch and dinner entrees from fish to beef to Italian and pizza. Other establishments offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, including Subway, are also located in town.

Fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, tubing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, camping, hiking, dining, winter rafting, 18 hole championship golf, 18 hole adventure golf, water skiing, sledding, skating, casino gaming, and the world’s largest crucifix at Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine are some of the area’s many attractions. We are centrally located for all of Northern Lower Michigan regional attractions.

From Petoskey, take highway US-31 north to Alanson. Turn right (east) at stop light on highway M-68 toward Indian River. Go 10 miles, then turn left (north) at stop light on S. Straits Highway/M-68 and continue north past the Inland Lakes Schools on the right. As you crest the slight hill, you will see Big Bear Adventures on the right across from the entrance to Burt Lake State Park.
From Mackinaw, take I-75 south to exit 310. Turn right (west) at exit stop sign onto highway M-68. Continue west ½ mile to the traffic light. Turn left (south) onto S. Straits Highway/M-68. Continue south over the Sturgeon River Bridge (about an eighth of a mile) and turn left into Big Bear Adventures across from the entrance to Burt Lake State Park.
From Gaylord, take I-75 north to exit 310. Turn left (west) at exit stop sign onto highway M-68. Continue west ½ mile to the traffic light. Turn left (south) onto S. Straits Highway/M-68. Continue south over the Sturgeon River Bridge (about an eighth of a mile) and turn left into Big Bear Adventures across from the entrance to Burt Lake State Park.
From Boyne, take highway US-131 north through Boyne Falls. Continue north ¼ mile to T-intersection of US-131 and county road C-48/Thumb Lake Road. Turn right (east) onto C-48 and continue past Thumb Lake to Old 27/S. Straits Highway, about 13 miles. Turn left (north) onto Old 27/S. Straits Highway and continue about 8 miles to Wolverine. Continue north through Wolverine about 9 miles to stop light at highway M-68. Continue north past the Inland Lakes Schools on the right. As you crest the slight hill, you will see Big Bear Adventures on the right across from the entrance to Burt Lake State Park.
From Cheboygan, take highway M-27/M-33 south to junction of M-27 and M-33 at stop light. Follow M-27/S. Straits Highway south to the right past Mullett Lake to Topinabee. Continue south, crossing under I-75 and then over the cement bridge at the north end of Indian River. Continue south through town to the traffic light. Continue south through the traffic light and over the Sturgeon River Bridge (about an eighth of a mile) and turn left into Big Bear Adventures across from the entrance to Burt Lake State Park.

You’ll be at the wheel of a Side-by-Side (SxS) during your excursion, with our experienced guide leading the way. Our guide will be in a separate lead vehicle, ensuring you navigate our remarkable trails for an unforgettable adventure! Rest assured, our guides have extensive experience, guaranteeing you’ll uncover the best hidden spots and routes without the worry of getting lost amidst hundreds of miles of trails. It is an experience like none other!

We recommend closed-toed shoes, comfortable layered clothing, and items you don’t mind getting muddy or dirty. Be sure to check the weather forecast for any additional clothing needs. We want you to be comfortable and prepared for your off-road adventure.

​​We can accommodate up to 22 guests per tour, so it’s best to book early to secure your spot! This ensures an intimate experience with a maximum of 6 vehicles per departure. Typically, our tours include 2-4 side-by-side vehicles, guaranteeing a personalized adventure for every participant.

Our Side-by-Side tours are ideal for couples, families, and group outings, making an exciting experience for all. Should you have any questions or need accommodations, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or message us on Facebook. We’re here to help!

• Booking Requirements:
  • Guests must be 18 or older.
  • A valid credit card is required for booking.
• Driver Requirements:
  • Drivers must be 16 or older.
  • A valid driver’s license is required.
  • For drivers aged 16-17, parental permission is necessary.
  • A parent or guardian must accompany them and be seated in the front passenger seat.
• Passenger Age Limit:
  • Passengers must be 5 or older to ride.

​Please arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled booking time.

Please note that tardiness may result in a shortened tour duration to accommodate the schedules of other guests.

Our guides will have toilet paper for your convenience. However, we recommend using the restroom before the tour begins to ensure a comfortable experience throughout and ask you to be courteous of other guests time on your tour. We also suggest bringing hand sanitizer.

While tipping your guide is not required, it’s certainly appreciated. Our guides work incredibly hard to ensure your safety and to make sure you have an enjoyable and memorable experience during your tour. At Big Bear, we take pride in our Guide’s abilities and knowledge of the trail systems. If you feel that your guide made your adventure special, a tip is a great way to show your appreciation.

• Helmets
• Goggles
• Bandanas
• Pre-trip safety orientation
• Lead Guide in their own vehicle

We highly recommend booking in advance, although reservations are not required. Our tours tend to fill up quickly, so securing your spot in advance ensures availability. For same-day reservations, please give us a call!