Passes
Many recreation activities in the Huron-Manistee National Forests are available at no cost to the recreational user.
Where developed recreation areas are concerned, however, there is a cost to operating these areas that is recouped through the use of day use fees.
To provide an affordable alternative for frequent visitors to the forests, or for folks who make their National Forests a destination for a week's vacation, we offer a variety of recreational passes and permits that help you save money on day use fees.
Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) benefits visitors to federal public lands by
Ninety-five percent of fees paid through the Recreation Enhancement Act stay local to help the Forest maintain high quality recreation facilities and trails and:
- increased field patrols by wilderness rangers/portage crews; wilderness maintenance for trails, portages, campsites; increased visitor contact by interpreters and other education projects;
- area-specific maps, brochures, travel planners, etc.; specific campsite cleanup and human waste removal; special field projects like boardwalks, weed removal, campsite restoration;
- volunteers supporting the wilderness program;
- administration of outfitter guides and cooperators;
- wilderness character monitoring and possible mitigation actions;
- safety advisories & training (blow down events, fires, etc.);
- maintenance of entry point facilities (kiosks) and access to entry points (ramps);
- permit reservation system support;
- support of emergency medical and rescue services; and special orders, like fire, or other emergency closures.
Huron-Manistee National Forests
You can begin making reservations for the permit season (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend) beginning January 2 at 12:01 a.m.. until the Monday after Labor Day each year.
| Pass | Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good For? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watercraft Permit | Anyone | $2.00/watercraft, per day | $6.00 transaction fee for each reservation made |
Tips
When searching on-line at Recreation.gov use one of these phrases to get to the right river:
- “Pine National Scenic River Watercraft Permits” "Pine River Permits" "Pine River Watercraft" "watercraft permits" "river permit" "river permit pine river"
- “Pere Marquette National Scenic River Watercraft Permits" "Pere Marquette Permits" "Pere Marquette Watercraft" "watercraft permits" "river permit pere marquette"
When calling the call center at Recreation.gov, select option 2 to reach the desk for the watercraft permits.
You can print a copy of the permit to a pdf and keep it on your phone instead of printing a paper version. You will need to have your phone on you during your trip so you can show you have your permit if you are asked.
- You have to print the permit, on paper or as a pdf, for the permit to be considered issued, the confirmation email will not be accepted as proof of a permit.
More Information
Permits are $2.00 per watercraft, per day. There is a $6.00 transaction fee for each reservation made.
A maximum of 4 reserved trip dates with up to 8 watercraft per day, at one time, including one holiday weekend, per person will be allowed.
Permits may be obtained on the same day you plan to take a river trip. Keep in mind, opportunities for obtaining a permit the day of your trip may be limited, particularly for weekends, holidays, or on certain stretches of the Pere Marquette River.
Trip Planning
- Office staff can assist you in answering questions about obtaining a permit, however, permits are only available on-line or by calling Recreation.gov.
- Your permit will be printed on-line and will be available for printing 14 days prior to your trip, until 10:00 a.m. eastern time the day of your trip. You will no longer need to pick a permit up at one of our offices or go through the mail.
Know Before You Go
Some things to know before starting your trip on the Pine and the Pere Marquette Rivers:
- Recreational watercraft hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- The river corridor is a mix of private and public lands. Before exiting your watercraft know where you are. Use only public sites for rest stops.
- Remember there are others enjoying the river. Treat other watercraft users, anglers, and land owners respectfully.
- Plan to carry out all you carry in. Equip your watercraft with a mesh bag or other securely fastened container to hold personal effects and litter.
- A Recreation Pass or a day use fee is required at the following river access sites and may be purchased at the site or District Office:
- Pere Marquette River site page: Claybanks, Green Cottage, Gleason’s Landing, Bowman Bridge, Rainbow Rapids, Upper Branch, Maple Leaf, and Indian Bridge.
- Pine River site page: Elm Flats, Dobson Bridge, Peterson Bridge, and Low Bridge.
- Camping in the river corridor is only allowed at designated sites. Use the links above, to the river site pages, to find out more about campgrounds along each river.
- The Forest Service has a policy that encourages a four (4) can beverage limit per person for river users.
- Motorized watercraft are
- only permitted downstream from Indian Bridge on the Pere Marquette.
- not allowed on the Pine at all.
- Brochures, with maps, are available at river access sites, all District Offices and on-line on the Maps and Publications page of the site.
General Information
A watercraft permit has been required since the late 1970’s early 1980’s on the Pine and Pere Marquette Rivers from mid-May through mid-September. Watercraft permits limit use to ensure protection of the rivers’ outstandingly remarkable values while providing high quality recreation experiences.
| Pass | Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good For? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Permit | Anyone | $10.00/per night | $9.00 transaction fee for each reservation made |
- Permits for Au Sable River Primitive Camping are required from April 15 to November 31. For more information on the sites visit the Au Sable River Primitive Camping section.
- Reservations may be made up to six (6) months prior to a visit, but must be made at least three (3) days of your expected arrival date.
- Camping Permits are required prior to occupying the campsite.
- For additional information call Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center.