Lower river
Small and wooded
Narrow water with deadfall. Best in moderate water.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Alcona County to Van Etten Lake and the Au Sable at Oscoda
Pine River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A Sunrise Coast river that flows south from Alcona County into Van Etten Lake, then out to the Au Sable River at Oscoda. The lower river and the big lake make a good paddle near Oscoda. Not to be confused with the other Pine Rivers in our guide.
RegionSunrise Coast, Northeast Lower Peninsula
CountiesAlcona, Iosco
WatershedVan Etten Lake, about 280 sq mi
Great Lake BasinLake Huron
River LengthAlcona County to Van Etten Lake
PaddleableLower river and Van Etten Lake
Best SeasonJune to September
MouthVan Etten Lake, then the Au Sable at Oscoda
Before you launch: deadfall and a big lake
- Deadfall: the upper river is small and wooded. Expect downed trees and scout first.
- Van Etten Lake wind: the lake is over 1,300 acres and gets rough in wind.
- Outlet dam: a dual-gate dam controls the lake's outlet to the Au Sable. Stay away from it.
- Fish advisories: Van Etten Lake has fish consumption advisories, including for PFOS. Check the Eat Safe Fish guide.
River History
The Pine River country was logged in the late 1800s, and Oscoda grew up at the mouth of the Au Sable as a lumber town. After the timber was gone, the area became a summer destination, and Van Etten Lake filled with cottages.
From 1953 to 1993, the area was home to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, on the west shore of Van Etten Lake. Firefighting foam used at the base left PFAS contamination in local groundwater and water, and cleanup and monitoring continue. Today the base is the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport.
River Map
River Overview
The Pine River drains south central and southeastern Alcona County and flows south into Van Etten Lake in Oscoda Township, Iosco County. Van Etten Lake, about 1,320 acres, drains through Van Etten Creek to the Au Sable River at Oscoda, which reaches Lake Huron. The Van Etten Lake watershed covers about 179,000 acres.
Alcona County headwaters
Small streams through forest.
Kings Corner Road
Site of the live USGS gage above the lake.
Lower river
Slower water as the river nears the lake. Scout for deadfall.
Van Etten Lake
Big lake with cottages, a state forest campground and the airport on the west shore.
Outlet dam and Van Etten Creek
Dual-gate dam at the lake outlet, then a short creek to the Au Sable.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The USGS gage at Kings Corner Road near Oscoda is on the lower Pine, above Van Etten Lake. It's the one to check before paddling the river.
How to read it
Compare today's flow with the typical flow for the date shown on the USGS graph. Well above normal means faster current, debris coming downstream and fewer safe eddies. Well below normal means more dragging and more liftovers.
After heavy rain, check again the morning you launch. Small rivers rise and fall quickly.
Paddling Character
Van Etten Lake
Big lake
Open lake paddling with boats and cottages. Calm mornings are best.
Michigan Water Trails
The Pine River is not a designated Michigan Water Trail. Nearby, the Oscoda - Au Sable Blueway covers the Au Sable River mouth and Lake Huron shoreline at Oscoda.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Oscoda Township
Van Etten Lake outlet dam
Dual-gate dam on Van Etten Creek at the lake's outlet. Stay clear of the gates.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Camping
Van Etten Lake
Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground
Rustic DNR campground on the west shore of the lake.
Oscoda
Huron National Forest campgrounds
Forest campgrounds along the Au Sable near Oscoda.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Eagles, loons, ospreys and herons work Van Etten Lake. Deer and wild turkey are common in the surrounding forest.
Fishing
Van Etten Lake has walleye, pike, bass and panfish. It has consumption advisories for some species, including PFOS advisories. Check the Eat Safe Fish guide before keeping fish.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Watch for deadfall on the river. Never slip under a log.
- Stay near shore on Van Etten Lake in wind.
- Stay clear of the outlet dam.
Rules, passes and private land
- Check fish advisories before keeping any fish.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Folding saw for small deadfall
Best Time & Access
Spring
Higher water on the river. Cold.
Summer
The best time for the lake. Busy weekends.
Fall
Great color and quiet water.
Winter
Ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Oscoda is about three and a quarter hours northeast. Take US-131 and US-10 to I-75, then M-55 or M-65 east to the coast.
Trip Planning
Lake paddle
Launch at the DNR site and explore Van Etten Lake and the Pine River mouth.
River exploring
Scout the lower river at Kings Corner Road before running it.
Combine
Pair this trip with the Au Sable River below Foote Dam or the Tawas River.
Check before you go
Look at the Kings Corner gage and the wind forecast.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The Pine River is easy, slow water, so it's rated Class I. Deadfall on the river and wind on the lake are the challenges.
Lower Pine River
Small, slow water with deadfall.
Van Etten Lake
Easy flatwater in calm weather.
Quick Reference
| Source | South central and southeastern Alcona County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Van Etten Lake, then the Au Sable at Oscoda |
| Lake | Van Etten Lake, about 1,320 acres |
| Dams | Van Etten Lake outlet dam |
| Main town | Oscoda |
| Key gage | USGS 04137680, Kings Corner Road near Oscoda |
| Michigan Water Trail | Not designated |
| Best season | June to September |
| Difficulty | Class I |