You have reached CROTON DAM FLOAT TRIPS!!!
We are SO GLAD YOU STOPPED IN FOR A VISIT!!!
We are a FULL SERVICE canoe, kayak, & tube rental business located adjacent
to the pristine Muskegon River in Newaygo County, Michigan, where nature abounds above and below the water.
Look to the skies to see a majestic eagle. Watch along the river bank for beaver, muskrat, river otter's,
whitetail deer, and of course a lazy turtle sunning themselves on a log for your enjoyment.
Look under the clear water to view fish of many different varieties.
Yes, the area is one of beauty just waiting for you to explore!
The Muskegon River begins at Houghton Lake some 250 river miles northeast of Croton Dam. Her waters after passing
through a series of hydroelectric dams still have about a 80 mile flow to make it out to Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan.
We service customers on canoe and kayak adventures to the western border of Newaygo County, some 42 river miles downstream.
Her beauty is one of Four Seasons.
The quietness of the snow falling on the trees along the shore provides a serenity to the frozen wilderness. Steam
rises from the surface as it touches the frozen air. Fish still abound under her surface. Steelhead which have
followed the Salmon of the fall spawn to Croton Dam are waiting away the peacefullness of winter time, unaware that anglers
wait above the chilly surface in the hopes to find a trophy of their own.
Our campground lies under a ever growing blanket of snow. However, deer come to frequent digging the acorns out
of our campsites. Flying squirrels for some reason take refuge in the outhouse. Mice and chipmunks frolic in the
office finding whatever leftover tidbits of food remain from the previous summer.
Spring comes late in the area, but with a furry of growth. One day we look at the remaining piles of snow in the
depths of the woods, and the next spring flowers are abloom in the fields. The robins, redwing blackbirds appear to
be our first spring time visitors...and yes, sometimes they arrive before the snow melts! Blue Herons and crows seem
to follow. Then the song of frogs can be heard in the ponds. Buds begin to appear on the tops of the trees...and
deer once again come out of their winter hiding and roam the fresh green growing fields. Steelhead arrive at the dam
to begin their spring spawn. Anglers line up on the banks to try to catch that spring trophy and boats once again use
the area launches to seek their dreams. Turkeys begin to strut about in the fields also, marking the beginning of the breeding
season as well as Turkey Hunting in the Area. The last Saturday in April marks the beginning of Trout Season down on
the river. Soon, the moral mushrooms are popping in the woods and fields, making for some fun mushroom hunting as well
as some delicious eating. The saturday of Memorial Day weekend marks "the true end of spring, and the beginning of Summer
Time in the area" with Bass Season opening. On warm spring weekends you will find us out trying to clean up the leaves
which blanket the ground left over from the fall passed! Things are starting to heat up. You can feel it in the
moods of the campers who come out to spend time on the river trout fishing or checking their trailers for mice damage, as
they for some reason do not just hang out in our office! Many warm friendships are rekindled. Yes, I love springtime
in the wilds.
Summers tend to be warm and dry. We seldom loose a Saturday or Sunday on the river due to rain! Campers fill
the campground. The river is full now of fishermen, canoers, kayakers, tubers, rafters, and an occasional jet ski (usually
the marine patrol!!!) Bikers roll past on their weekend adventures. To us, the days of summer all seem to blend
together. Everything becomes automatic. Get up. Drink coffee. Go to the office. Answer phones
and fill out rental agreements. Put people out on the river. Pick people up from the river. Try to get some
dinner. Clean the campground. Mow the campground. Weedwack around the trees. Mow the ditch.
Put air in tires. Take vans into shops. And then as quickly as it came....it is Labor Day..."marking the Official
End of Summer and the beginning of Autumn."
Autumn is a time of winding down on the river. Fishermen await the arrival of the fall salmon run to the dam which
usually begins about the 15th of September. The nights are still warm, but begin to take on a slight chill about the
middle of the night. The leaves begin to change to their autumn colors. Canoers and kayakers find no crowds on
the river now when they take their voyages through God's Country. Wildlife abounds on the now quiet shores. Squirrels
gather their hordes of nuts in the trees. The afternoon sun shining down warms the heart and soul for we all know what
awaits us when the winds of winter blow.
As we begin 2009, we look forward to serving you our valued customer, for another day in the beauty of nature, or perhaps
a planned fishing adventure with your family members. Our campground is always open to welcome you to the northern woods.
Check out our services to see what we might have to offer you, our valued friend!
