Betsie River
🍃 Natural River
Benzie Co. · 55 mi · Class Riffles
—CFS
Loading…
Optimal: 150–500 CFS · USGS #04126530
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
55 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
150–500 cfs
Optimal
260 cfs
Avg Flow
235 cfs
Hist. Median
#04126530
USGS Gauge
Michigan Natural River

Flowing to Lake Michigan at Frankfort near the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the Betsie offers excellent salmon and steelhead runs. A scenic Natural River winding through Benzie County's rolling forests and farmland.

Trip sections
Upper — Grass Lake to Thompsonville, gentle meadow paddle
Lower — Thompsonville to Betsie Lake, faster current through forested corridor
Outfitters
Betsie River Canoes & Campground
Canoe and kayak rentals with riverside camping
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
Loading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
See 10 years of flow patterns for this river — historical analysis is a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Your Optimal Range
Set your personal optimal CFS window per river — custom ranges are a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.