West Michigan Kayaking Club · River Guide
Bear River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Lower Peninsula Paddle Guide
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
River History
The Bear River drains Walloon Lake and flows north to Little Traverse Bay, and it has always been central to the Odawa and to the town that grew at its mouth. Petoskey itself was known as "Bear River" until it was renamed in 1873. Before 1900 seven dams harnessed the river for saw, grist and paper mills and Petoskey's first electric light plant. The largest, the Mitchell Dam, was built in 1901 and expanded for power in 1933.
In 1992 the city removed the Mitchell Dam and the turbine raceway near City Hall, and the river began healing its natural channel. That revealed a steep, rocky gorge, and in May 2011 Petoskey opened the Bear River Valley Recreation Area with a whitewater park through the heart of town. The Lake Street Dam (1895) still stands near the mouth, and engineering studies have weighed removing or modifying it.
Interactive River Map
Pinch or use the + / – buttons to zoom.
Use the launch table below for exact access points, and confirm them before a club trip.
River Overview
Headwaters
The outlet at the southeast end of Walloon Lake, on the Charlevoix–Emmet county line. A dam with a fish screen controls the lake outlet.
Major Tributaries
- Small spring creeks [V]
Communities
- Walloon Lake
- Petoskey
Sections
Walloon Lake to Petoskey: A small, clear, slow-moving stream with wood and private banks.
Riverbend Park to Sheridan Street: The start of the recreation area; gentle water.
Sheridan Street to Lake Street (whitewater park): Class II–III. More than 50 feet of drop comes in the first half mile, then it eases to Class II+ near the boardwalk.
Mouth
Little Traverse Bay at the Petoskey Municipal Marina. The Bear is the bay's largest tributary.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
Primary USGS Gage
The whitewater runs best in spring snowmelt and after heavy rain. Walk the riverside trails to judge the level before you gear up.
USGS Interactive Map
Explore every USGS stream gage on and near the river. Tap a site for live flow and gage height.
Water-Level Considerations
| Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Low | Bony and scrapy; rocks everywhere. |
| Normal (spring) | Class II–III; the run is at its best. |
| High | Holes get sticky and eddies shrink; experts only. |
| Flood | Do not run. |
Paddling Character
The Bear River whitewater park is one of the steepest runs in the Lower Peninsula: a short, continuous Class II–III ride through a wooded gorge in downtown Petoskey. Features include named drops and offset holes, with good eddies on river right in places. The best put-in to run the drops is river left, just below a culvert and split-rail fence about 15 yards below the footbridge.
Do not bring a recreational sit-on-top or open rec kayak. This is whitewater-boat-only water. Inflatable kayaks can be rented in Petoskey.
Recommended Boats
- Whitewater kayak with spray skirt
- Whitewater canoe
- Inflatable kayak (with skills)
Potential Hazards
- Holes and hydraulics
- Rocks and pins
- Lake Street Dam at the take-out
- Cold snowmelt water
- Wood after floods
Best Conditions
Spring snowmelt and post-rain levels, with a group that includes experienced whitewater paddlers and safety on shore.
Michigan Water Trails
Not a designated state water trail. The whitewater park is managed by the City of Petoskey as part of the Bear River Valley Recreation Area.
Dams & Portages
One dam remains on the lower river: the Lake Street Dam. It sits right below the whitewater run, so take out above it on river right. The Walloon Lake outlet dam controls the headwaters.
| Structure | Type | Portage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Street Dam and Flume | Gravity dam, 11 ft (1895, City of Petoskey) | Take out above, river right | Blocks salmon and steelhead (and sea lamprey); removal studies ongoing |
| Walloon Lake outlet dam | Lake-level dam with fish screen | Start below it | Head of the river |
Never paddle near a dam face or spillway. Take out well upstream and confirm portage access before the trip.
Public Kayak & Canoe Launches
| Launch | Area | Type | Parking | Restrooms | Fee / Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan Street entrance | Top of the whitewater | Park entrance near US-31 | Lot at base of hill | Riverbend Park | Free | Main put-in for the whitewater run |
| Riverbend Park | South end of the park | City park | Lot | Yes, plus drinking water | Free | Gentle water above the drops |
| Lake Street entrance | Bottom, across from the marina | Park entrance | Street / lot | Verify | Free | Take out river right above the dam |
The park also has launch and take-out landings along the river and a paved trail on both sides for scouting and shuttles. Bahnhof Sports in Petoskey rents inflatable kayaks.
Camping
No camping in the recreation area
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
- Bald eagles
- Kingfishers
- Mergansers
- Mink
- Deer
Fishing
- Brook trout (above the dam)
- Salmon and steelhead (below the dam)
- Brown trout [V]
Safety
Required / Recommended Gear
- PFD worn at all times
- Paddle + spare
- Whistle
- Dry bag
- First-aid kit
- Whitewater helmet
- Spray skirt
- Throw rope
- Drysuit or wetsuit in spring
River-Specific Concerns
This is genuine whitewater with holes that can hold a swimmer. Scout from the trails, set safety at the big drops, and never run it alone. The snowmelt water is very cold, and the Lake Street Dam sits right at the end of the run. Spring 2026 floods changed the features, so do not trust older descriptions.
Best Time & Access
Best Time to Paddle
Access & Regulations
Trip Planning
What to Pack
- Full whitewater kit: helmet, skirt, throw rope, cold-water protection.
- A shuttle plan; the paved trail makes walking boats back up easy.
Leave No Trace: pack out everything you bring. Clean, Drain, Dry all boats and gear between rivers to stop invasive species.
River Difficulty
Class II–III
American Whitewater rates the Sheridan Street to Lake Street run Class II–III with an average gradient of about 66 feet per mile.
Ratings rise at high water. Check the USGS gage before paddling. American Whitewater
Quick Reference
Sources & Current Information
- American Whitewater — Bear River, Petoskey
- City of Petoskey — Bear River History & Recent Improvements
- Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council – Bear River
- Healing the Bear (Story Map)
- Wikipedia — Bear River (Michigan)
- Michigan Water Trails
Last updated: October 2026. Water levels, hazards, launches, camping rules and closures change. Verify current USGS flow, weather, river conditions, access and regulations immediately before launching.
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Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.