Menominee River Whitewater Rafting
Menominee River Whitewater Rafting
Menominee River Outpost
N22200 Bomber Road
Niagara, WI 54151
The world-class Menominee River provides the whitewater enthusiast with some of the largest volume rapids in the Midwest, with characteristics similar to those found on the Colorado River. Late in the summer, when other rivers are low, the dam-released Menominee River will continue to produce large whitewater and incredible rafting experiences all the way from our put-in in Wisconsin to our take-out in Michigan. Due to the class III and IV rapids on the Menominee, we run our 8-person rafts with a guide in every boat.
Upgrade this adventure to the exclusive Wildman WILD RIDE: our highest adrenaline adventure!
Reserve a private raft for just your crew. This raft is just for your group and your guide, without other guests.
Scouts can upgrade to the Whitewater Rafting BSA award.
- Standard Rate: $109 (Fri-Sun)
- Weekday Rate: $99 (Mon-Thurs)
- Youth Rate: $99 (Fri-Sun) / $93 (Mon-Thurs)
- Private Raft: $872 (Fri-Sun) / $792 (Mon-Thurs) (up to 8 guests)
- Dates: April – October
- Trip Duration: 3-4 hours
- Minimum Age: 5 years old (12 years old to paddle class IV section)
- Trip Times: 9:00 am and 2:00 pm
- Trip Includes: PFD, Helmet, Guide
- Things to Bring:
- Trip: Closed toe water shoes (no flip flops), swimsuit, sunscreen.
- Post trip: towel, change of clothes, plastic bag for wet clothes
Menominee River Whitewater Rafting
The river trip begins along the gorgeous 200-foot cliffs bordering Michigan and Wisconsin. After a scenic flatwater section in which you can play games, swim around, and experience a few smaller rapids, you will pull over above the famous rapids of Piers Gorge. The adrenaline will start pumping as you hear the class IV rapids just downstream. Your group will then embark on your first of two runs through Piers Gorge. After we conquer the rapids for the first time, we’ll take a short hike back to the top of Piers Gorge and run the rapids again. This trip is appropriate for all skill levels, so bring the whole family. Children under 12 must portage the class IV section of the river through Piers Gorge. A parent or guardian must accompany children during the portage. They can enjoy the entertainment as they observe the others in their group running this amazing section of whitewater. Since you go through twice, parents can take turns so that everyone gets a chance to paddle the big water. This is the biggest whitewater in the Midwest. For those looking for an even more extreme trip, you might consider the exclusive Wildman Wild Ride!
Private Raft Option:
Looking to make your Menominee River whitewater adventure truly unforgettable? Our Private Raft option offers the perfect way to enjoy a thrilling day on the water with just your group. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a family outing, or simply looking for a more personal experience, this option ensures your raft is reserved exclusively for your crew.
Your group will be guided by one of our well-trained raft guides, giving you the freedom to focus on the excitement, laughter, and memories while we handle the rest. While you’ll share the river and shuttle with other adventurers, your time on the water is all yours—just you, your group, and the river’s frothy rapids!
Each private raft can accommodate up to 8 people, making it a great choice for close-knit groups of family or friends. For safety, children under 12 will need to portage around the exhilarating Class IV section of whitewater—but don’t worry, they’ll still experience plenty of thrills along the way!
THE RAPIDS
We thought you might like a real-world view of what you’ll be encountering on the Menominee River. From this point on the map, you'll get the best view of rafts coming through Piers Gorge.
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You’ll check in for your adventure at the Menominee River Outpost located in Niagara, Wisconsin, about 20 minutes from Iron Mountain, Michigan. You’ll shuttle to the public boat launch in Niagara, and begin rafting down the Menominee River — which serves as the natural border between Wisconsin and Michigan.
When you reach the take-out point, you’ll actually step out of the raft in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Many guests love saying they rafted all the way from Wisconsin into Michigan in a single trip!! After you get off the water, you’ll shuttle back across the bridge to our Wisconsin base.
So whether you’re searching for Wisconsin whitewater rafting, Michigan whitewater rafting, or Upper Peninsula rafting, you’re in the right place.
Yes — with guidance.
The Menominee River offers the biggest commercially run rapids in the Midwest, but our guided trips make it approachable for first-timers who are ready for a real adventure.
If you’re looking for a mild float trip, this isn’t it. If you want a true whitewater rafting experience just a few hours from Chicago or the Twin Cities, this is it!
Our Menominee River rafting trip features Class II–IV whitewater. You’ll run the biggest rapids through Piers Gorge State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula twice, with a hike between runs that allows you to scout the rapids from shore!
We offer guided rafting trips on the Menominee from mid-May to early October.
Unlike many rivers that depend heavily on snowmelt or rainfall, the Menominee is dam-controlled, which helps maintain consistent water levels throughout the summer season.
May and early June typically offer the biggest rapids. It can be chilly in the spring, but wetsuits are available for cooler days!
For many guests, June through August is the most popular time to raft. Warm air temperatures, long daylight hours, and steady water flows make it perfect for families, groups, and first-time rafters looking for an exciting but comfortable adventure.
If you’re looking for slightly cooler weather and fewer crowds, early fall can be a great time for leaf peeping from a unique perspective on the water!
No matter when you visit during the rafting season, the Menominee delivers big-water excitement, scenic gorge views, and one of the best whitewater rafting experiences near Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
There is inherent risk with any outdoor adventure, but your safety is our top priority.
When you raft the Menominee River with Wildman Adventure Resort, you’re guided by trained professionals whose job is to keep your trip exciting while mitigating risk!
Guides hold certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Swiftwater Rescue, and are knowledgeable about the rapids and conditions on the Menominee River. Before you hit any rapids, you’ll go through a clear safety briefing so everyone understands how to paddle, what to expect on the river, and how to respond to different situations.
We also provide all required safety equipment, including a properly fitted helmet, life jacket, and paddle, and our guides are with you in the raft the entire time to help steer, coach, and support your group through the rapids!
Absolutely. Kids as young as 5 years old can go on this trip! Kids who are younger than 12 will portage the class IV rapids with a chaperone. They’ll have an awesome view of the rest of the group rafting through Piers Gorge, and chaperones can switch between runs. Youth still have a blast on the Menominee River — they’ll get to swim and play games in the flatwater, and even take on some of the smaller rapids.
For kids 9 years and older, consider whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo River!
Yes! The Cub and Kodiak cabins are located right on-site at the Menominee River Outpost. Our riverside campground, glamping, and more cabins are located at our Peshtigo River Outpost, about 50 minutes away.
The guided trips here at Wildman are a great way to be introduced to the many adventure opportunities available here in the Midwest. We are here to help you plan a great trip that will suit your interests and experience level. Let us know how we can help!
Call us at: 715-757-2938