Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery Introduce
If you're searching for "camping near me" with the added appeal of river activities, Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery, located at 5825 Townline Rd, Sterling, MI 48659, USA, might be of interest. You can contact them at (989) 654-2556 or +1 989-654-2556. Based on recent customer reviews, this location offers a beautiful river setting and opportunities for water-based recreation alongside camping.
The environment surrounding Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery is clearly a significant draw. One reviewer described the "river was beautiful," highlighting the natural scenic beauty of the location. The campground's proximity to the Rifle River suggests opportunities for enjoying the water directly from the campsite. Additionally, its location about an hour from the AuSable River, another well-known natural attraction, indicates that it's situated in a region rich in outdoor beauty. The mention of having "a brown trout hooked on" suggests that fishing is a potential activity in the river. The overall environment appears to be one where nature lovers can appreciate the waterways and the surrounding landscape.
Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery offers services related to both camping and river activities. As the name suggests, a key feature is the canoe and kayak livery, with one reviewer noting that it "looks like it would be a great place to rent canoes, kayaks or tubes." This indicates that guests have the convenience of renting equipment on-site for exploring the Rifle River. In terms of camping services, the campground provides sites for overnight stays. One positive review mentioned the staff being "nice enough to even let us stay before they were even open" and described them as "very accommodating," suggesting a willingness to go the extra mile for guests, at least in some instances. However, another review provided a contrasting perspective on the office staff, describing them as "not very friendly" and citing issues with bookkeeping and customer service, which unfortunately detracted from their camping experience over two years. This highlights a potential inconsistency in the perceived service quality. It's reasonable to assume basic campground amenities are available, but specific details would likely be obtained through direct contact.
The primary features of Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery seem to be its access to the beautiful Rifle River and the on-site canoe, kayak, and potentially tube rentals. This makes it a convenient location for those interested in paddling and enjoying the river. The potential for fishing, as indicated by the mention of hooking a brown trout, is another appealing feature for anglers. One reviewer appreciated the accommodating nature of some staff members, particularly during the early season. However, it's important to note the contrasting experience shared by another reviewer regarding the office staff. For local users searching for "camping near me" with a focus on river activities and scenic beauty, this campground presents an opportunity, though it's wise to be aware of the mixed feedback regarding customer service.
Located in Sterling, MI, Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery is situated in an area that likely attracts outdoor enthusiasts. Its proximity to both the Rifle River and the AuSable River positions it as a potential hub for exploring the waterways of this part of Michigan. For local residents looking for a camping experience combined with easy access to canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, this location offers that convenience.
Currently, there is no promotional information explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews. For local users interested in any special offers for camping or equipment rentals, it would be best to contact Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery directly at (989) 654-2556 or +1 989-654-2556. They can provide details on pricing for campsites and rentals, as well as any seasonal promotions that might be available.
In summary, if you're searching for "camping near me" and are interested in a location that offers both camping and access to river activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the beautiful Rifle River, Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery in Sterling, MI, is worth considering. While one review praised the accommodating nature of the staff and the scenic river, another highlighted significant issues with the friendliness and efficiency of the office staff. It's recommended to contact the campground directly for more information on services, pricing, and to form your own impression. Experience the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Rifle River.
The contrasting reviews provide a balanced perspective. The positive mention of the beautiful river and the availability of canoe/kayak rentals are definite advantages for those seeking river-based activities. However, the negative feedback regarding the office staff's demeanor and bookkeeping practices is something potential visitors should be aware of. It underscores the importance of direct communication with the campground to ensure it meets your expectations for service and overall experience.
For local users looking for "camping near me" with river access, Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery offers that core feature. Weigh the positive comments about the river and early-season accommodation against the concerns raised about the office staff when making your decision. Contacting them directly is the best way to get current information and assess if this campground aligns with your preferences for your next outdoor adventure.
Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery Photos










Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery Location
Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery
5825 Townline Rd, Sterling, MI 48659, USA
Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery5825 Townline Rd
River View Campground & Canoe Livery5755 Townline Rd
Rifle River Resort334 Melita Rd
Riverbend Men's CampUnnamed Road
Forest Lake Property Owners6180 Bobcat Trail
Crystal Creek Campground133 N Grove Rd
Wilderness Resort1050 Husak Rd
Elliott Turkey Run Family CampCole Canoe Base
Hughey lake campgroundHewey Lake Rd
Greenwood Campground636 Greenwood Rd
Riverbend Campground And Canoe Rental | Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Tubing On The Rifle River!1165 N Main St
Saginaw Bay Resort4738 Foco Rd
Hardwood Lake Campgrounds3131 Henderson Lake Rd
Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery Reviews
We were there early season! They were nice enough to even let us stay before they were even open! Very accommodating! Such nice people! The river was beautiful! Had a brown trout hooked on. About an hour from the AuSable. Looks like it would be a great place to rent canoes, kayaks or tubes.
May 01, 2025 · Lisa JahnkeWe have camped here for 2 years. The staff (2 older woman) in the office are notVery friendly. They are very out dated with book keeping. They do not seem to know what they are doing. They have made the past 2 years un enjoyable. We have always paid a year in advance . We have followed all campground rules. They like to judge based off of things that happened the weeks before. Stop judging people off of what someone did before that. We are responsible adults. Everything we did was a hassle even though it was making them money examples buying ice, wood everything was bothersome to them. The place is nice but you are running your customers away. It’s aCampground not a daycare . If it’s too much for you to handle and just smile hire someone to do that work you. You lost 12 good customers and we won’t be back.
Jul 29, 2024 · Emily BrittenWe have been camping here for 2 years with a group of 12. Today at checkout we decided to not book here for our next year's camping trip. The 2 older women in the office are notvery friendly and are very rude. The bookkeeping is pretty out dated, life would be easier for them if they would get things on a computer. It is always a mess to check in, always spend tons of extra time trying to find where they put your paperwork, getting your car passes and bracelets. We have always paid a year in advance . We are all adult's in our group and have always followed the rules, but they always seem to find their way to our campsite to harass us about something. They do not like to see people having fun or enjoying their time at all. If you can not handle working with the public, then I believe it is time for you to hire some people who enjoy working with people to make this campground great again. We support your store by buying wood, ice, etc, and now you have lost that because you do not know how to treat people, and you make it miserable to be at your campground. Our site was beautiful, but putting up with the lady on the golf cart is not worth it. It's time to find a new campground to enjoy our annual camping trip. You have lost the business of this group of 12.
Jul 29, 2024 · April KlineThe staff was incredibly disrespectful (specifically the owner). We attempted to get off of our tubes from the river and she came screaming at us. She proceeded to tell us that we needed to pay $40 to exit the camp. Because we are four 16-year-old girls, we did NOT have that money with us. We offered the money we had ($10) she took it and then she proceeded to say we still couldn't exit until she received the rest of the payment. We declined and said we don't have it and she told us that we could either get back on the river or she was going to block the driveway and call the police. So we unfortunately had to go back into the river with a deflated tube, no water, no food, and no sunscreen. I have a condition (that she was aware of) and cannot handle extreme heat so this was extremely dangerous. Before we left I tried to get my money back from the disrespectful lady and she told me that she "didn't trust that we leave the premises". So with no other option, we had to go back into the river and walk it. The lady decided that she was going to have her employees follow us down the river and occasionally get out of their vehicles and stare at us. mind you we are four 16-year-old girls and are not comfortable with a bunch of old men staring at us. As we were leaving she told us that there was a public exit “15 minutes tubing, but 30 minutes since you're walking. She lied. It was 2 hours away. Now I'm sitting here dehydrated, hungry, and sunburnt. I have no respect for any of these people. Do NOT go here. But I would like to say thank you to the kind civilians who helped me and my friends get home safely and hydrated. Because if it was up to Rifle River we would be stranded.
Aug 04, 2024 · Graslyn ClementWe did a family camping/tubing trip there this year and I wasn't impressed. Booking was a hassle and they didn't understand I was going to need 2 sites for 12-15 people, 3 dogs and 4 tents and a pop up camper so they claimed we had 2 sites then when we arrived they said we only had 1 and we could fit everyone on the site however that ended up being too cluttered. When we booked the tubing trip they failed to tell us the time we needed to be down there and claimed we didn't pay for things and I had to tell them I have the receipts to prove I did and the one lady in charge just seemed annoyed and eventually gave me a ticket. They overcharged us, so make sure you figure the math and get a receipt if you do plan on staying there. The customer service wasn't great, not organized at all. If I had to put anything positive it would be that it was dog friendly, even with tubing.
Aug 09, 2024 · Katie Ward
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