Summer is the ideal season for kayaking, and you can find kayaking opportunities in some of the most unexpected places in Michigan. One hidden gem for kayaking is the Chippewa River in Mt. Pleasant and Isabella County.

Flowing through Central Michigan, the Chippewa River is nearly 92 miles. Since the river has no rapids or waves, kayaking it can be fun for the whole family. It runs through woodland habitats and residential neighborhoods and passes by and through several Mt. Pleasant parks.

Couples and families who want to go kayaking not too far from modern conveniences can use these Mt. Pleasant parks as access points to the Chippewa River without having to paddle the entire river.

Even though you can book Chippewa River kayaking trips with local outfitters, planning your own excursion is easy. Here’s everything you need to know about renting kayaks and paddling parts of the Chippewa River in Mt. Pleasant.

Thanks to Mt Pleasant CVB for being 2023 #MIAwesomeList Summer Bucket List partners!

Chippewa River Kayak Rentals

If you’re like most people and don’t have your own kayaking equipment, Mt. Pleasant has a couple of fantastic rental companies. And along with kayaks, you can rent canoes and tubes if you prefer.

Chippewa River Outfitters

Just a short drive from downtown Mt. Pleasant, Chippewa River Outfitters has single and double kayaks that you can rent for an entire day. Every boat comes with paddles, USCG-approved life jackets, and free transport to one of its launch sites.

On the other hand, you can book the company’s one-day kayaking trips from Deerfield Nature Park to Meridian Park. Along with kayaks, Chippewa River Outfitters has canoes and tubes and offers one-day trips from Deerfield to Meridian with that equipment too.

Buckley’s Mountainside Canoe

Don’t let the word “canoe” in Buckley’s Mountainside Canoe deter you from booking paddle trips on the Chippewa River. The company offers single and double kayak rentals alongside its canoes.

We recommend reserving either its three to four-hour trip from Buckley’s to Deerfield or its four to five-hour trip from Buckley’s to Meridian. In both cases, a shuttle will take you back to Buckley’s, where your vehicle will be waiting.

Floaters Tubing

Do you prefer to tube your way down the Chippewa River? Floaters Tubing offers 90-minute tubing tours from Nelson Park and four-hour tubing tours from Chipp-A-Waters Park. You can’t…