Rifle River
Encyclopedia
Rifle River is a 60.3 miles (97 km) river in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. It rises in northeastern Ogemaw County
and flows through Arenac County
to enter Saginaw Bay
of Lake Huron
. Once a logging
river during the Michigan forestry boom at the turn of the 20th century, the river is now primarily used for recreation, and is a state-designated natural river. It is a popular river for canoeing
, with no portages or dams and an average depth of 18 to 24 in (45.7 to 61 ).
According to a historical map of Michigan published in 1831, the Rifle River may have previously been referred to as Grindstone Creek.
Sterling, MI (Central portion of the Rifle River - Most Popular)
Omer, MI (Lower portion of the Rifle River)
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It rises in northeastern Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,645 people, 8,842 households, and 6,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 15,404 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile...
and flows through Arenac County
Arenac County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 17,269 people, 6,710 households, and 4,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 9,563 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
to enter Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay is a bay within Lake Huron located on the eastern side of the U.S. state of Michigan. It forms the space between Michigan's Thumb region and the rest of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Saginaw Bay is in area...
of Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
. Once a logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
river during the Michigan forestry boom at the turn of the 20th century, the river is now primarily used for recreation, and is a state-designated natural river. It is a popular river for canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, with no portages or dams and an average depth of 18 to 24 in (45.7 to 61 ).
According to a historical map of Michigan published in 1831, the Rifle River may have previously been referred to as Grindstone Creek.
Canoe liveries serving the Rifle River
Several private canoe operators provide equipment rental and transportation for river trips along the Rifle River.Sterling, MI (Central portion of the Rifle River - Most Popular)
- River View Campground & Canoe Livery
- Whites Campground & Canoe Livery
- Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery
Omer, MI (Lower portion of the Rifle River)