Ask for detailed AuSable River maps when you contact or arrive at Penrod's.

B. Canoeing and Kayaking Times and Miles

III. Canoeing and Kayaking Rates

We will be happy to promptly send you a canoeing and kayaking price list.

Please call 1-888-GO-RIVER (1-888-467-4837), E-mail us with street address, or fill out MORE INFO REQUEST. Please let us know if you would like information about campgrounds or motels.

Give us a call we would like to hear from you.

We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Good Checks.

Canoeing and kayaking reservations are suggested for Saturdays during July and August.
Canoe Sunday - Friday and avoid the weekend traffic.
Sunday - Friday walk-ins always welcome.
We can have you on the water within five minutes of your arrival at Penrod's.

IV. Canoes and Kayaks

Grayling's largest selection of kayaks!

Kayaks are quiet, fast and easier to control than a canoe. Our one or two person kayaks are really fun. Great for that extra person in your group, or to share and let everyone try this exciting sport!

V. Tips

Number one, stay sober. Operating a watercraft while intoxicated is illegal. Hard liquor, kegs, party balls, glass beverage containers and styrofoam coolers are prohibited on the river.  Please: No more than one 6-pack of beer per canoe.

Number two, allow for enough time to enjoy the ride. II. Trips B. Times and Miles above shows the time needed for the trips. The earliest canoes can put in is 8:00 am Saturday and 8:30 am the rest of the week. The last pickup at any landing point is 6:00 pm. The latest start for a pickup at #2 (Stephan Bridge) is 2:00 pm. The latest start for a pickup at #1 (Burton Landing) is 3:30 pm. Within these limits, take as much time as you wish at no extra charge. We recommend an 8 mile trip for beginners. Paddling instruction is available.

Number three, please talk to us. Allow us to help you work out the details of your trip. Write, e-mail, use our more info page or call us on our toll-free number.

Our seven acres provide the best and most convenient facilities on the AuSable for large or small groups, with plenty of parking for trailers, campers and motor homes. Use our private island or covered patio for your picnic before or after your canoe trip. Free transportation back to your car for all customers is our guarantee. Our private put-in channel and dock allow easy loading and put-in of canoes. Ask us about the nearby camping at Hartwick Pines State Park, the many State Forest campgrounds, private campgrounds and accommodations at local motels.

Number four, respect the river. The AuSable deserves respect in two ways. The AuSable is a pristine river. It is pristine because of the many restoration and conservation efforts by both private and public groups since the end of the lumbering era. Because of our respect for the river and our gratitude to the many people who have restored the river to its current beauty, we do what we can to conserve that beauty, and ask you to do the same. It is illegal to remove driftwood or wildflowers from the river or banks. Our drivers will not transport them. The river is a quiet place. Portable radios break the quiet and should be left behind. Much of the property on the river is privately owned. Please respect the owners rights and wishes. Do not stop on private property. Do not throw trash or cans in the river or on banks, islands or sandbars anywhere. Use heavy-duty coolers and water-proof bags or containers, and tie them to canoes

The second reason to respect the river is the harm you can do yourself if you don't. We provide life vests to everyone and recommend you wear them. State law requires that any person under the age of 6 must wear a life jacket while canoeing. We provide seat cushions at no extra charge. Bring old shoes for wading or swimming. Don't forget sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. Dress in layers; mornings are often cool. Leave valuables and non-waterproof cameras in the car. Secure keys in bags or pockets - we furnish safety-pins. Check our store for T-shirts, sweatshirts, dry-bags, eyeglass straps and other essentials. We recommend that groups designate a "lead" and "last" canoe. This will help keep your group together and eliminate passing of stopping points.

Number five, NO RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED when you canoe Sunday - Friday. Also, Saturdays in June and September are not very busy and usually do not rquire a reservation. If you feel more comfortable making a reservation for these times please give us a call (1-888-467-4837). It does not cost anything to make a reservation and does help us a bit also. The reservation can be changed or canceled at any time. Try to canoe Sunday - Friday, avoid the weekend traffic and take advantage of weekday pricing.

Overnight camping trips do require a reservation and are not always available. Please call ahead for these trips.

The busiest days on the river are Saturdays in July and the first few Saturdays in August. If you plan to canoe on a Saturday you should make a reservation. Just give us a call (toll free 1-888-467-4837). When you make a reservation with Penrod's, we do not require a deposit. Therefore, you do not have to worry about a loss when cancelling or changing the number of canoes you need (we are quite flexible). If the weather is not what you expected on your canoeing date, just let us know that morning and we will cancel all or part of your reservation at no charge, or we can hold on to your canoes throughout the day until you decide. No need to worry about losing any money or having to deal with a rain check. If you are not sure how many canoes or kayaks you need when you call, we can always change your numbers up to the time of departure at no charge. To avoid traffic on the river and on the highways, consider weekday trips.

VI. Supported and Member Organizations

• Professional Paddlesports Association

• Grayling AuSable Paddlesports Association

• Recreational Canoe Association

• Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Grayling Area Visitors Council