Choose a 1.5- or 2.5-hour guided side-by-side ride on scenic Northern Michigan trails
1.5 or 2.5 Hours
Up to 4 people
Gas, Helmets, Eye protection
Explore off-road trails in Indian River on a guided side-by-side tour. Pick a 1.5-hour ride for a shorter outing or go 2.5 hours for more time on varied terrain.
No alcohol, pets, or personal vehicles are allowed on tours. All participants must sign a liability waiver; minors need a parent or guardian signature. A valid credit card must be authorized at check-in for incidental equipment damage.
Reservations are fully refundable if cancelled prior to 7 days before the tour date. If cancelled 3-7 days prior, you will be reimbursed 50%. If cancelled 2 days or less, no refund.
Wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable layered clothing you don’t mind getting muddy or dirty. Bring water bottles and snacks, and check the weather forecast so you can dress for conditions.
Arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled tour time for check-in plus safety and equipment orientation. If you arrive late, your tour may be shortened to stay on schedule for other guests.
Book if you’re 18+ with a valid credit card. Drive if you’re 16+ with a valid driver’s license; drivers ages 16–17 need parental permission and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Ride as a passenger if you’re age 5+.
4271 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI 49749, US
Big Bear Adventures offers multiple activities that keep families coming back, from mini golf that's been a local favorite for decades to guided side-by-side tours and river tubing on the crystal-clear Sturgeon River. Dave stands out repeatedly as an exceptional guide who prioritizes safety while keeping groups engaged and entertained on the scenic trail rides. The staff generally gets praise for being friendly and helpful, especially when explaining everything to first-timers. A few operational hiccups pop up in recent feedback. Some visitors arrived to find no staff available to help, which meant missing out on activities entirely. River conditions can vary dramatically, and a couple reviewers felt the difficulty level wasn't communicated clearly enough, particularly for tubing trips after storms when debris made navigation challenging. Safety equipment like life vests and paddles aren't always standard issue. Most visitors leave thrilled with their experience though, and many specifically mention plans to return.
The person who checked us in did a great job of explaining our rafting trip.👍 And suggesting we drop from a 2-hour to a 1-hour trip when we realized this was not a guided trip. YIKES! NOTE: The Sturgeon River has some very dangerous obstacles right now due to recent storms. Be prepared to know what to do to avoid injuries. And familiarize yourself with paddling back to slow your raft down as you navigate around & hopefully not into the low hanging trees & branches. Overall it was a great experience!
Tisha Koerner
July 5, 2026
The person who checked us in did a great job of explaining our rafting trip.👍 And suggesting we drop from a 2-hour to a 1-hour trip when we realized this was not a guided trip. YIKES! NOTE: The Sturgeon River has some very dangerous obstacles right now due to recent storms. Be prepared to know what to do to avoid injuries. And familiarize yourself with paddling back to slow your raft down as you navigate around & hopefully not into the low hanging trees & branches. Overall it was a great experience!
Tisha Koerner
July 5, 2026
Float the Sturgeon River on a tube with 1.5- or 2.5-hour options
Take on the fast Sturgeon River in a sit-on-top solo or tandem kayak
Steer your own kayak-tube on the fast-flowing Sturgeon River
Work together on a stable raft float with shuttle to the drop-off
Shuttle service for your private solo kayak with flexible put-in options
Pick up a solo sit-in kayak and explore on your schedule (1–7 days)