1. North Bar Lake

1. North Bar Lake

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Empire, MI

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North Bar Lake

4.4 (5 reviews)

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13 years ago

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8 years ago

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Sleeping Bear Surf

Sleeping Bear Surf

4.2(10 reviews)
2.3 mi

I really hate posting bad reviews, but based on this experience with the owner, I wanted to let…read moreothers know, and hopefully she'll change policies to prevent future scenarios like this. Had 2 SUP full day rentals scheduled for one of our vacation days in the area. At about 10:00 am we got a call asking when we would be there. Our full day was from 9:30am-5:30pm. Since we wouldnt be on the boards all day, we were having a leisurely morning walking our dog and eating breakfast. She informed us that she would charge us 20$ per board for not being there at our pickup time. Nowhere in any communication that she had sent via email or during the order process was this stated. This was the first I heard of it. Upon getting there, I stated I was there for my rental, the woman, the owner stood up to check us in. I asked if she could wave the $40 fee and she laughed at me, saying she is too busy and showing up late messes them up. I was the only person in the store at this point. She also did not further explain what what she meant when she said it "messed them up". She seemed uninterested in explaining the policy and uninterested in my viewpoint. Rental pick up times should be clearly stated on emails if they are so important. And you would think the owner would clearly explain this rather than laugh at us. Again, I literally had no idea. She had already charged the fee prior to us arriving which I thought was weird. The rest of the interaction was very awkward and forced. She went on to make sure we knew if literally any scratches were on the boards we would fit the bill, instilling a level of fear in us that almost ruined the trip alone. To get the boards to lake Michigan they provide hand carts with a wheel to roll. They are very awkward, and she said if they touch the cement at all they would "charge us." Literally everything down at the beach is cement, so were were pretty terrified down at the beach. In addition, you are given a paddle, life jacket and ankle cord. When I asked how to carry the rest of the equipment down she shrugged, and offered no information. At this point I've given this business $130 and she's presented us with the snarkiest demeanor the entire time, and we have no idea why. If she's really that concerned about people not showing up outside the "pickup window " she should clearly put that in the communications with customers. As someone who interacts with customers for a living, I was baffled by the interaction. I gave her an opportunity to make it right, but I have not heard back and she has not removed any fees. When we got back the owner did not interact with us and an employee kindly helped us, missing any opportunity to make it right again. And honestly the fees aren't really the issue, its how we were treated. Had she nicely explained why their policies are in place, rather than laugh and fail to acknowledge our viewpoint, we probably would have been fine. I hate to write a bad review, but I also hate being treated poorly while on vacation.

Family owned business that has been my lifeline to surfing when away from California. I love that…read morethere is a local shop for surf, stand up paddle, and skateboarding in this neck of the woods. I bought my stand up paddle board here a few years ago as well as a trailer to carry it behind my bicycle. The carrier needed some customizing to make it fit my board, which they happily helped me with. A great part of the Empire/Sleeping Bear Dunes community!

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Sleeping Bear Surf
Sleeping Bear Surf
Sleeping Bear Surf

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Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District - Shop inside at Crystal River Outfitters for great merchandise!

Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District

4.2(74 reviews)
5.2 mi
$$

Crystal River is a great river for kayaking!!! Full of nature and family friendly!! Everyone ate…read morethe Outfitters were so friendly and welcoming, I highly recommend!! We will be back!!

Went kayaking after the 4th of July weekend and the water was beautiful! We got there early but…read morethat was perfect because they were able to get us on the water faster. You park at the end and we got parking right in front of the store, the driver drove us to the beginning of the river and was very nice. The equipment was in good shape considering how at one point you have to drag the kayak out of the water over a dam. I would say it took about 2ish hours, you go under two bridges and that's how you know where you are on the river. As we finished the staff helped our kayaks on shore and we were all set. Overall, really good experience. There is a couple shops and food places around. We got ice cream. I have never kayaked before and I got the sit in kayak and I regret it because I flipped a few times and the thing filled with water. So I would recommend the sit on top kayak for new people. Also would not say it's a beginner course a lot of trees in the water and tight twist and turns

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Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District - My son relaxing on the double

My son relaxing on the double

Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District - Our way-finding signs throughout The District will point you in the right direction!

Our way-finding signs throughout The District will point you in the right direction!

Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District - My 8 year old had her own small kayak, my son and I did a double and it was easy to navigate

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My 8 year old had her own small kayak, my son and I did a double and it was easy to navigate

Honor Trading Post - Beginning of the lower Platte kayak trip

Honor Trading Post

4.3(41 reviews)
10.4 mi
$$

Honor Trading Post was our go-to for kayaking down the lower Platte River! Everyone was so nice &…read morehelpful, it really made the trip down the river a memorable experience. The livery had all the essentials for your trip; water shoes, sandwiches, cold drinks, ice, souvenirs, and so much more! They were stocked with whatever you needed. The team unloaded our kayaks & brought them down to the river with us, along with our paddles & life floats. For the record, they have plenty life jackets for whoever needs them. Any child under the age of 6 is required to wear one. The river flows gently & most of the trip is shallow enough to touch, I never felt in danger without a life vest. My favorite parts of the river were paddling through Loon Lake, the crystal clear water, and the end of the trip where the Platte meets Lake Michigan. The dunes were breathtaking & the kids absolutely loved it! We will definitely be back. Honor Trading Post was my livery of choice!

I booked a kayaking trip on the Platte River for my (almost) 10-year-old son and I. It was easy to…read morereserve everything on their website (we actually booked the morning of our trip.) The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. My son had only been kayaking one other time, and he loved being in his own kayak. The river was slow and calm, perfect for a child to learn how to kayak. Parts of the river did get quite busy (we went on a beautiful Saturday) - there was one area where we navigated around a group of about 50-60 "innertubers." We packed up a couple of sandwiches and purchased some drinks and a cooler at the Trading Post before parking our car at the end of the river (at Lake Michigan.) I loved how at the end of the trip, we could hop right out of the river and into our car. One of the staff members drove us back to the drop-in spot (they had already prepared our kayaks for us to hop right in!) Note: there is an extra $25 fee involved to park your car in the lot at the end of the river. Would highly recommend booking with The Trading Post for anyone looking to check out the Platte River! We were staying in Glen Arbor, and it was only a 30-minute drive away.

Photos
Honor Trading Post - Kayaking on the small lake

Kayaking on the small lake

Honor Trading Post - Kayaking the lower Platte

Kayaking the lower Platte

Honor Trading Post - Pit stop

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Pit stop

North Bar Lake - lakes - Updated July 2026

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