Check in at Manistee Adventures • 231 W Parkdale Rd, Manistee, MI before heading to 1st St or 5th Ave Beach.

How long are rentals?

Rentals run from one to eight hours; choose a block that fits your route and daylight.

Is prior experience required?

No—stable recreational kayaks and SUPs are suitable for beginners, but basic paddling and swimming ability are recommended.

What about weather cancellations?

Operators will adjust or cancel based on high winds or unsafe lake conditions—ask about refund policies when booking.

Are children allowed?

Children can ride in tandem kayaks or sit-on-top boats; life jackets for kids are required.

Can I bring my own gear?

Yes—most operators welcome personal kayaks/SUPs but ask about storage and launch logistics at busy times.

Paddle Manistee: Kayak & SUP Rentals at 1st St and 5th Ave Beaches

Adventure Brief

Short rentals at 1st St Beach and 5th Ave Beach put Lake Michigan and the Manistee River mouth within easy reach. Learn where to launch, what gear to bring, and why Manistee Adventures • 231 W Parkdale Rd, Manistee, MI is the go-to rental hub.

1 to 8 hours

moderate

From $22.40

On the western shore of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Manistee’s sandy edges open into quick, accessible paddling at 1st St Beach and 5th Ave Beach. Manistee Adventures • 231 W Parkdale Rd, Manistee, MI serves as the local launch point for short rentals—kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available by the hour—that put Lake Michigan, the Manistee River mouth, and the town’s north pier within easy reach. These beaches offer wind-swept dunes, a broad wave-scored shoreline, and clear views of the weathered Manistee North Pierhead Light. Renting here is simple: choose a one-to-eight-hour window and follow the beach’s gradual entry to avoid abrupt drop-offs. Key landscape features include low dune ridges backed by mixed hardwoods and pockets of beach grass, the Manistee River estuary cutting a dark ribbon into the lake, and sandstone and glacially-smoothed cobble in places along the shore. Wildlife is immediate and photogenic—bald eagles hunt the river mouth and terns wheel offshore—while the surrounding forested bluffs recall the town’s late-19th-century lumber history that shaped the harbor and piers. What makes these rentals special is the combination of convenience and variety. Launch from either 1st Street for a direct stretch of open water, or paddle east toward 5th Avenue if you prefer calmer coves and a quieter shoreline. Local operators keep a fleet of stable recreational kayaks and inflated or solid SUPs suitable for beginners, with options for longer trips that reach the north pier and lighthouse. Manistee Adventures’ downtown location is five minutes from both beaches and saves time when swapping gear or getting local beta on currents and wind. Practical edge: Lake Michigan conditions change fast—check wind forecasts and wear a PFD. Tide isn’t a factor here, but currents at the river mouth can be punchy. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag for your phone, and water shoes for the pebbly approach. If you’ve never paddled on big lake water, stick to morning hours when breezes are light and visibility is high. For photographers and families, the site offers low-angle sunrise and late-afternoon light, plus the human scale of colorful boards against an industrial pier. Manistee’s beach rentals are less about remote wilderness and more about accessible water time: an easy way to feel the pulse of Lake Michigan, explore a living estuary, and end the day at a small Great Lakes town with history and salty air. Bring layers and a windproof shell for afternoon gusts, and ask staff at Manistee Adventures about guided paddles or multi-hour routes that include a river mouth crossing and shoreline exploration; families should consider tandem kayaks for kids, and photographers can rent stabilizing leashes to keep gear safe while shooting from a SUP. Plan to arrive early for parking and quieter water today.

About Manistee Adventures

Manistee Adventures is a Manistee, Michigan outfitter offering canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and tubing rentals for trips on the Big Manistee River and the Little Manistee River.

Available options include canoe rentals, single and double kayak rentals (short- and long-term), SUP rentals, tube rentals, and car-spotting/boat services for both rivers. The Big Manistee River features gentle currents, clear water, and sandy beaches that make it ideal for families, beginners, and children seeking relaxed paddles, swimming, and beach stops. The Little Manistee River contains upper sections with fast, obstacle-filled rapids, sharp turns, fallen trees, and log jams suited to experienced paddlers, while its lower stretches offer calmer flows for paddlers with some skill.

Double kayak short- and long-term rentals include free delivery to a guest’s stay, supporting flexible day trips or extended excursions. Trip summaries describe difficulty, scenery, and river conditions so paddlers can select routes that match ability and preference. Equipment choices support single and tandem paddling, stand-up paddling, and tubing for varied group sizes. Safety-conscious planning is encouraged by aligning river sections to paddler skill levels and by preparing for natural obstacles on technical stretches. By concentrating on clear, factual trip descriptions and a range of rental options, Manistee Adventures helps visitors plan enjoyable, appropriate outings on Manistee’s waterways.

Visitors can choose from quick hourly rentals for a short float or longer equipment loans for a multi-day stay, making it easy to tailor outings around lodging and travel plans while enjoying Manistee’s river scenery and water-based recreation safely.