Upper Branch Bridge River Access
This site is popular during the spring and fall fishing seasons for salmon and steelhead. This site is also very busy as a take-out during the permit season for the Rainbow Rapids to Upper Branch Bridge stretch of the river. The land surrounding the site, and along the river is primarily federal, with some state and private mixed in.
The forest along the river in this section is oak and pine over story with some aspen mixed in, providing ample wildlife viewing opportunities for paddlers. This site also provides parking for Elk Canoe Campground and the North Country National Scenic Trail. The site is not a trailhead, but the trail can be accessed from a spur trail from this site.
Active Alerts
General Information
Year-round; plowed in winter
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted.
As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. Rules specific to the Huron-Manistee National Forest are available on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests.
Applicable Orders -
- Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
- Occupancy and Use; R904-18-02
- North Country National Scenic Trail; R904-14-13
- Pere Marquette National Scenic River Corridor; R904-14-14
Watercraft Permit -
- Watercraft Permit required Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Permits can be reserved on recreation.gov.
Information about when a Special Use Permit is required can be found on the Permits page.
Day Use:
$5 vehicle per day
$15 per seven day
Daily and 7-day passes can be purchased on-site with cash or check, or purchased on recreation.gov. Daily, 7-day and annual passes can be purchased at Huron-Manistee National Forest Offices. More information can be found on the Passes page.
Canoe Rentals -
- Baldwin
- Baldwin Canoe Rental
Address: 650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304
Phone: (231) 745-4631
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 43.92861111
Longitude: -86.02027778
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Vault toilet(s)Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Recreation Groups
Did you know that the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) passes through three National Parks, eight National Forests, and one National Grassland?
In July 1978 the Pere Marquette River and its major tributaries were designated a Michigan Natural River by the State of Michigan.