Work together on a stable raft float with shuttle to the drop-off
1-4 Hours
Raft rental, Shuttle transport
Float the Indian River in a durable 5- or 7-person raft and navigate narrow passages as a team. Choose a 1-, 2-, or 4-hour trip that fits your group.
This is not a lazy river—you will need to paddle, watch where you are going, and work together. No pets or large, heavy coolers are allowed in rafts. You are responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged equipment.
Cancel at least 48 hours in advance for a full refund. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows are charged the full price.
This is not a lazy river. You need to watch where you’re going, paddle, work together as a team, and push away from logs and sticks as you navigate narrow passages and obstacles.
Bring sunscreen, water bottles, and snacks.
Yes. Your entire group must be present for the check-in process before your trip.
4271 S Straits Hwy Indian River, MI US 49749
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
Choose a 1.5- or 2.5-hour guided side-by-side ride on scenic Northern Michigan trails
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)