Rainbow Resort Cabin Rentals & Canoe Livery

 
River Life
Northern Michigan Canoeing
Take a couple of “sick days” or enjoy a weekend getaway to explore the beautiful waters and shorelines of the Au Sable River.  Here on the natural side of the Au Sable River, we have an abundance of wildlife. Our guests have seen mink, loons, deer, ducks, turtles, river otters, bald eagles diving for fish, and beaver.   An early morning paddle is our favorite; there are so many more birds and forest critters along the water's edge when you're the first one on the river.

Rainbow Resort can provide guests of all ages with an adventure perfect for you, your family, and friends.  Call us today to plan your day, weekend, or week with us. Our Northern Michigan Kayak and Canoe Livery can accommodate all of your adventure needs. We have all the gear you'll need to experience Michigan's great outdoors.

Have your own Canoe or Kayak?
Let us Shuttle your Personal Watercraft and Large Raft $25.00 per item!
Personal Tube transportation $20.00 per person

Mio, MI River Trips
Parmalee
Our most popular trip, 'the three-hour tour' finishes at Rainbow Resort Canoe Livery Landing where you can walk to your cabin or vehicle when finished. It's the perfect length for a half-day trip or evening paddle. You can also take your time and turn it into a full day of fun on the river.

Whirlpool
This is our shortest trip at 1.5 hours, and it finishes at the Rainbow Resort Canoe Livery Landing. You'll see spectacular views and perhaps catch a glimpse of the wildlife that lives along the water's edge.

McMaster's Bridge
If you have the time, try the McMaster's Bridge trip; it begins on the mainstream of the AuSable River and ends at the Rainbow Resort Canoe Livery Landing. A full six-hour trip, you'll want an early start so you can stop along the AuSable River for a bit of exploration. Take your time - you've got all day!

Parmalee to Whirlpool
For those that want a short trip on the AuSable River and don't want to paddle, this 1.5-hour trip starts at the Parmalee access site and finishes at the Whirlpool access site where you'll be picked up by one of our courteous Rainbow Resort Canoe Livery drivers.

McMaster's Bridge to Whirlpool
This 4.5-hour trip starts at the McMaster's Bridge in Crawford County and finishes at the Whirlpool access site where you'll be picked up by one of our drivers.

Smith Bridge
The nine-hour trip begins at a picturesque wood-planked bridge on the South Branch of the AuSable River. Some of our guests thoroughly enjoy every aspect of their up-north adventure by making it an overnight trip and camping along the AuSable River.

Chase Bridge - Overnight Trip
The Mason Tract, on the South Branch of the AuSable River in Roscommon County, is the most natural and secluded section of the AuSable River. Canoe this stretch and feel as free as the water as it carries you through a gorgeous backdrop of the northern backwoods. This trip starts at the Chase Bridge and is a thirteen-hour paddle back to the Rainbow Resort Canoe Livery - perfect for an overnight canoe trip!

Tubing - When it's too hot to canoe the AuSable River, try tubing! Relaxing, refreshing, and sometimes invigorating, tubing allows you to put your feet up and breathe easy. We have a two and a half hour tubing trip from Parmalee Bridge to the Whirlpool Landing. The Rainbow Resort Canoe Livery uses only dual-chambered commercial rental tubes - with and without bottoms. Commercial cooler tubes are also available for $25 each. We can transport some types of personal tubes and the cost is $20 per person.