sturgeon river Rafting trips

Person wearing helmet and life vest kayaking through a river with rocks and foliage.

new in 2025!

Starting in 2025, True North Outpost will be offering private guided whitewater rafting and guided duckie trips on the Power Dam Falls section of the Sturgeon River!

Located just a few miles northeast of the Outpost, the Power Dam Falls section of the Sturgeon River features a healthy mix of class I and II, with some class III rapids, making it a great option for those who aren’t feeling up for the class IV rapids in Piers Gorge just yet. Experience one of the wildest stretches of river in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in smaller boats with fewer people making each trip feel like is just for you.

PRicing and Details

Week-day trip pricing (sun - FRI)

1-3 People - $350
4-7 People - $575
(more space available upon request)

SATURDAY trip pricing

1-3 People - $425
4-7 People - $650
(more space available upon request)

Add-Ons

10% off other True North adventures (excludes whitewater rafting)

Age REQUIREMENTS

DUCKIES (100 CFS - 800 CFS)

10 years and older
(Each person will be in their own duckie)

10 FOOT RAFTS (100 CFS - 800 CFS)

8 Years old and older
(10ft rafts carry up to 3 people)

**If the river is running above 800 CFS (cubic feet per second) TNO will be using their discretion as to the raft length and guest load of each raft to be use on the river. For safety, this rule is subject to change by the discretion of TNO at any time.

TRIP Duration

3-4 hours of paddling class I - III rapids on the Sturgeon River

TRIP TIMES

Daily: 10:00 am & 2:30 pm CST

What’s Included

Shuttle to & from the river
Guide
PFD, Helmet & Paddle
Cold Norway Spring water and snacks

THINGS TO BRING

Closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops, sandals or crocs)
Swimsuit
Sunscreen
Change of dry close after rafting
Wet clothing storage

In the event of colder conditions, wetsuits, spray jackets & water booties will be available to rent. On days when the air temp is less than 45°F, cold weather gear will be provided.

BOOK NOW

trip description

Starting at True North Outpost, where you will check in, gear up, and meet your guide. We will shuttle you to the put-in at Sturgeon River Park in Loretto, MI., a short 10-minute ride from the outpost.

On the river, we’ll go through an initial safety speech, and learn to paddle around some big boulders through a half mile of entry-level class one rapids. The next mile of water will consist of energetic class II rapids that will lead into Black Rock Canyon.

Upon entering the canyon, you will be greeted by 3/4 of a mile of class III rapids boasting a mix of fun and exciting whitewater. After this stretch of river, you will get to relax in a calm pool where we will regroup and continue.

Next on the trip, you will get to enjoy 3/4 of a mile of big, fun, and splashy class II rapids that wind through natural grasslands. After class II, you will pull over to the shore and you and your guide will go look at Sturgeon Falls before your group runs it.

Once back in the raft, your group will ride over a wild 8-foot-high, two-tier waterfall and drop right into another half mile of big, class III whitewater. Your last half a mile will twist and turn you the class II corkscrew rapids before you end up in a big, sandy swimming hole at the bottom.

After you get a moment to swim, relax, and have some cold water and a snack, it’s back on the shuttle for a short five-minute ride back to the put-in to do it again. After your second run our shuttle will bring you back to the outpost and on to your next adventure.

FAQs

You may cancel with no penalty as long as you cancel more than 7 days before your scheduled trip/service.
If you cancel within 7 days of their scheduled trip/service, 50% of the booking total will be taken. If the customer is booked and does not show up without notifying us in advance (7 days), they will be marked a no-show and will not receive a refund on their trip/service.
If you wish to re-book for a different day, you may do so more than 7 days before your scheduled trip.
If you wish to re-book within 7 days of your scheduled trip, a $5 per person booking fee will be applied to the trip.
Children under 12 years of age are not permitted to ride through the Class 4 rapids.
Children 4-11 are welcome to ride along on the flat water, and all other Class 1-3 rapids.
When trips arrive at the beach above Piers Gorge, they will be required to get out of the boat with an adult, or one of our Youth Guides. There are no exceptions.
Our youth guide experience truly is one of a kind and offered only with our Premium Rafting Trips. From the moment your group gears up children under 12 will start their “Junior Raft Guide Experience”. They will get to play some fun games with their junior raft guide trainer, who will be with them the whole trip. (pending space in the raft)
When the group gets to the beach above the class IV whitewater, their Junior Raft Guide Trainer will accompany them to the overlook where they will watch the rest of the group go through Piers Gorge and learn about the river features & “How to guide the big water!” After they take photos at the gorge with the group they will walk down to the bottom beach and learn how to guide a boat or just play around and have their own adventure.
Once the group is done with their second run in the gorge your child may get back in the boat with the group. Otherwise they will help their trainer in guiding the boat through the next rapid called terminal surfer. Once we get back to the outpost they are given their junior guide prize pack as they are then a “Certified Junior Raft Guide!”
Not at all. Our guides are the best in the business and will take care of you and your group from the moment you step off the front porch of the outpost to the moment you return.
We do not recommend bringing anything with you on the river you are not prepared to lose. HAVE NO FEAR. We have a professional photographer with you the whole time taking photos. When you get back to the outpost you can view and purchase those photos!
YES. You will be getting wet on all of our whitewater trips.
Spring (May 20th-June 10th) will give you the highest water levels, but summer is the nicest time to raft in our area overall.
Any outside equipment cannot be used on our adventures. This includes items such as PFD’s, helmets, harnesses, , paddles, and boats. All the gear you will need is provided for each trip we offer.