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illIlI1!i~~~~~After a day on theriver, sit on your deckoverlooking the banksof the Betsie and enjoynature at it's finest.Stay for a vacationor stay overnight.I II• Canoeing rates are based ontwo people per canoe. Smalladditional charge for a thirdperson. Three person maximumper canoe.• Kayak rates are based on1 or 2 person kayaks.• Rates include canoes or kayaks,paddles, cushions, life jacketsand car spotting.• Trips from1 hour to 6 hours.• No refunds for not completingtrips or completing trips in lessthan scheduled time.• River paddeling experience needed.• Please be courteous to others andplease don't litter.• All children ages 5-10 and allnon-swimmers must wear a lifejacket for the duration of the trip.Children 4 years and younger need 'a babysitter.• Canoers and kayakers are Iiable fordamaged or lost equipment.• Livery hours are from 9:00 a.m. to6:00 p.m. First trip starts at 9:00a.m., last trip out at 4:00 p.m.• Private car spottingavailable.• One and two bedroomHousekeeping unitscompletely furnished (Air,TV & DVD, Linens, WirelessInternet, Appl iances)• One great camping siteon the river with power &water.Chicago-290 MilesDetroit- 235 MilesFort Wayne, IN.-295 MilesGrand Rapids- 130 MilesIndianapolis, IN.-380 MilesTraverse City, MI - 32 MilesManistee, MI - 36 MilesFor Reservations Please Call 1-800-252-4286Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. dailyDaily & Weekly Rates • Open Year AroundYour Hosts: John & Barbara HanmerSince 19752251 Benzie Hwy (U.S. 31)Benzonia, MI 49616Phone 1-231-882-7783e-mail: gostay@hanmers.coml!!j!0$l~

The Betsie is a good canoeing river for noviceand experienced canoers. With our knowledge ofthe river, we can match your skills with the righttrip. We take great pride in the Betsie river andwork hard to ensure that it is a clean and naturalriver. We hope you find the river clean and leaveit as you find it or better.The Betsie River begins in Grand Traverse County at Green Lakeand flows in a southwest direction into Benzie County, providing50-55 river miles in 22 canoeing hours. The average water depthdown to Grass Lake Dam is 14" - 20" but a few miles from GrassLake Dam the water deepens to an average of 2 feet to 2-1/2 feetto the Thompsonville area.There are no rapids on the Betsie but it has a steady, swiftcurrent to keep you moving. It is a very crooked river with manyoverhanging trees and submerged logs to maneuver around totest your skills. There will be some unexpected fallen trees toportage over or around, dropped by beavers or high winds. Thereis one designated portage on the river which is Homestead Falls.The portage is made on the right and is about 200 feet long.There are some private cabins along the river, but the Betsieis a state designated wild and scenic natural river whichensures against new construction close to the river. There aretwo state campgrounds on the river, at Grass Lake and Fred'slanding, along with some state land bordering the river. FromThompsonville down to Fred's Landing the water depth averages2-3 feet. This same stretch of river is bordered by hardwoodcoveredhills which drop off to the river bottom of conifers, aspenand willows.The river flows south into Manistee county for a few miles, thenenters Benzie county again at the County Line Road #602. Manysmall streams run into the river where the trout like to feed, andtrout hide in the many log jams along the river which are distantmemories of the old logging days. Trout are easily fished by canoeor from shore.From Fred's Landing to the Homestead Dam (nowknown as Homestead Falls) the river has beenaltered from floodwaters of the past hydo-electricdam and some sand bars may occur. The river fromHomestead Falls to the second bridge on RiverRoad becomes deeper and wider. This sectionis the easiest to canoe. From second bridgeon River Road to Frankfortthe river passes througha wildlife sanctuary andsome open marsh to themouth of the river. Canoe trips endat the second bridge on river road.