Rifle River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rifle River
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Counties	Ogemaw, Arenac
Cities	Selkirk, Omer
Physical characteristics
Main source	Ogemaw County 44°23′58″N 84°01′57″W / 44.39944°N 84.03250°W / 44.39944; -84.03250
River mouth	Saginaw Bay Arenac County 577 ft (176 m) 43°59′34″N 83°49′15″W / 43.99278°N 83.82083°W / 43.99278; -83.82083
Length	60 mi (97 km)
Basin features
Basin size	385 sq mi (1,000 km2)

Rifle River is a 60.3-mile-long (97.0 km) river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It rises in northeastern Ogemaw County and flows through Arenac County to enter Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Once a logging river during the Michigan forestry boom at the turn of the 20th century, the river is now primarily used for recreation, and is a state-designated natural river. It is a popular river for canoeing, with no portages or dams and an average depth of 18 inches, to 5 feet in downtown Omer. It is also known for having one of the best White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) runs in the state of Michigan, in the spring.

According to a historical map of Michigan originally published in 1831, the Rifle River may have previously been referred to as Grindstone Creek.

Canoe liveries serving the Rifle River

Several private canoe operators provide equipment rental and transportation for river trips along the Rifle River.

Twining, Michigan

• Whispering Pines Campground and Canoe Livery.

Sterling, Michigan (Central portion of the Rifle River - Most Popular)

• River View Campground & Canoe Livery
• Whites Campground & Canoe Livery
• Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery

Omer, Michigan (Lower portion of the Rifle River)

• Russel's Canoe Liveryhttp://www.russellcanoe.com
• Riverbend Campground & Canoe Rental
• Big Bend Campground & Canoe Rental

• 

  Springs form small creeks - like this one - that run into and feed the Rifle River.