At Barothy

Miles of forest trails for hiking, biking, and skiing (ask at the office for trail map)

Swimming pool open Memorial Day through Labor Day

Fishing ponds

Wetland preserves

Frisbee Golf Course

Tennis / Pickle Ball courts

Fire pit

Sand volleyball courts

Children’s playground

Shuffleboard

Climbing structure

Horseshoes

1/2 court basketball pad

Canoe, kayak, or tube the Pere Marquette River, either by bringing your own or renting from Baldwin Canoe Rental 231 745 4669

Watercraft Information

It is about 30 miles from Baldwin, MI to Lake Michigan (at Ludington ) as the crow flies. Within those 30 miles, the Pere Marquette River twists and turns for approximately 100 river miles. Once you experience it, you will understand why the Pere Marquette River is a federally designated Wild & Scenic River.

Due to new federal government protections for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Barothy Lodge no longer rents tubes, canoes or kayaks.

Guests who bring their own tubes or other watercraft are responsible for acquiring the proper permits at: Recreation.gov
Permits available online only. Call 1 877 444 6777 for assistance and information.

Important Tips for the Permit Process:

First, sign in to create an account. Read directions carefully. Note specific permit requirements for each watercraft. For length of stay, enter only the number “1”. The site won’t process the request otherwise. You may reserve a permit ahead of time but it will not be issued until 10 days prior to permit date. The site does not keep your credit information. You will need to re-enter it in the 10 day period prior to permit date. The permit is only reserved and not issued until the Print button is pushed. You must push the Print button to acquire a legal permit. The permit can be printed or downloaded as a pdf on your phone. Keep your password handy for completing the permit process and for further permits. These tips via the Baldwin – White Cloud District Ranger Station. 231 745 4631

WATERCRAFT RENTAL

Contact Baldwin Canoe Rental at 231 745 4669 for groups large and small. Baldwin Canoe also offers 6 person river rafts.

All watercraft must be off the river by 6:00 p.m. daily ~ unless you are fishing.

Summary of Float Trips

Times are based on paddle times – no hurry but not lots of stopping.

Barothy Landing to the Walhalla Road Bridge
Details: This is the shortest trip and takes approximately one hour. This trip requires bringing and permitting your own watercraft. Baldwin Canoe Livery cannot provide delivery and pick up for this one hour trip.

Lower Branch Bridge to Barothy Landing
Details: This trip is 2 to 2.5 hours by canoe/kayak and approximately 3 hours by raft. A rest stop called Log Mark is one hour downstream on the right hand side. Outhouse available! Barothy Landing is on the left hand side approximately 1 hour past Log Mark. Lower Branch is just a small “put in” along the road. It is OK for small parties, but not great for larger groups. Customers will need to assist in carrying watercraft & equipment from vehicles to river.

Upper Branch to Barothy Landing
Details: This trip is a 3.5 to 4 hour canoe/kayak trip and approximately 4.5 hours in a raft. Approximately 1.25 hours into the trip you will pass under Lower Branch Bridge (emergency takeout, but no restroom facilities). A rest stop called Log Mark is one hour downstream on the right hand side. Outhouse available! Barothy Landing is on the left hand side approximately 1 hour past Log Mark. Upper branch landing is a very nice federal access site, large enough to accommodate groups of any size.

Su Lak Landing to Barothy Landing
Details: This trip is a 4.5 to 5 hour canoe/kayak trip and too long for rafting. Approximately 1 hour into the trip you will pass under Upper Branch Bridge. Outhouse available! Approximately another 1.25 hours into the trip you will pass under Lower Branch Bridge (emergency takeout, but no restroom facilities). A rest stop called Log Mark is one hour downstream on the right hand side. Outhouse available! Barothy Landing is on the left hand side approximately 1 hour past Log Mark.

Additional Information

Guests who bring their own tubes are responsible for acquiring a permit. Permits are available online only, (see above link). Watercraft are available from Baldwin Canoe Livery for groups large and small. 231 745 4669

Guests who bring their own tubes or guests who rent tubes for the day may wish to float the section of river adjacent to the Barothy compound. Typically, guests start from either Elkhorn Lodge or Duffy’s field / boat landing and get out on Barothy property downriver. The first mowed lawn on the left bank is an easy place to come out of the river. (Carry tubes back to starting point and repeat ) If you don’t come out of the river at the lawn, watch for wooden steps up the high bank near Chinook Lodge and/or a red flag. That is your last takeout point before the Walhalla Road Bridge. ALL watercraft, including tubes, must be off the river by 6:00 p.m unless you are fishing.

Whether you plan to canoe, kayak, raft, or float the river in a tube, always take into consideration the fact that nature controls the weather, the temperature of the water, the condition of the river and will therefore have an impact on your trip. Children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket (by law).

- - The water is COLD…
  - The sun is HOT…
  - It could STORM while you are on your float…

When planning your watercraft trip, be prepared!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Barothy Lodge does not recommend taking anyone on the river, child or adult, who is not able to look after their own safety while immersed in the water and wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device). With continuous changes taking place in the river (for example: speed of current and depth of water due to rain, fallen trees and/or other submerged obstructions), unsafe conditions may exist for anyone who is not an experienced swimmer or who may not be able to safely depart the river without assistance.

The Barothy Lodge swimming pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.