ALPENA GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Paddling Alpena: Multi‑Day SUP Rentals on the Calm Thunder Bay River
Three-, five- and seven-day stand‑up paddleboard rentals from Performance Locker let you explore the low‑current reaches around Island Park and Duck Park; this guide lays out routes, access, wildlife and logistics for planning a multi‑day float.
Paddling Alpena: Multi‑Day SUP Rentals on the Calm Thunder Bay River.
Experience the beauty of Alpena with multi‑day stand‑up paddleboard rentals—available in three-, five- or seven-day blocks—gliding along the serene Thunder Bay River as it wraps around Island Park. The river’s calm, low current sections make it accessible to a broad range of paddlers while shoreline sightings—painted turtles, egrets, swans, Great Blue Heron and even otters—reward slow, attentive travel. Launching and docking are eased by a specialized platform at Duck Park, which connects to Island Park via a hand‑hewn timber covered bridge; the rental operation sits in town at the corner of Chisholm (US‑23) and Long Rapids Road.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A river threaded with wildlife
Thunder Bay River’s calm backwaters are a magnet for painted turtles, nesting egrets, swans, Great Blue Heron and the occasional otter—wildlife encounters that unfold close to shore and reward quiet paddling.
Launch and dock with ease at Duck Park
A specialized platform at Duck Park streamlines launching and docking, and the park’s connection to Island Park via a hand‑hewn timber covered bridge makes the site uniquely scenic and easy to use before or after a paddle.
Multi‑day flexibility in the heart of town
With 3, 5 and 7 day rental options, paddlers can stitch together short escapes or longer wanderings along gentle stretches of river that offer hours of enjoyment for the entire family.
What the day feels like
What the multi‑day SUP experience feels like
Set out from Duck Park on a slow, low‑current river that curls around a 17‑acre island. Days are measured in easy paddling and shoreline observation—launch from a dedicated platform, explore channels that thread Island Park, then tie up and walk the island’s trails and covered bridge when you want to stretch your legs. Opt for a 3, 5 or 7 day rental to shape the outing to your schedule and let wildlife sightings and the gentle river cadence set the pace.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this rental is best for
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
A specialized launching and docking platform at Duck Park makes entry and exit from SUPs straightforward; the rental sits at Duck Park where the driveway and parking lot are accessed from Long Rapids Road.
Duck Park is connected to Island Park by a hand‑hewn timber covered bridge and the island has trails you can walk before or after paddling.
The rental operation is located in the heart of Alpena at the corner of Chisholm (US‑23) and Long Rapids Road, providing town access while keeping you close to quiet river channels.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What rental lengths are available?
Stand‑up paddleboard rentals are offered for 3, 5 and 7 day periods.
How much do the rentals cost?
Rates start at $150 for a 3 day SUP rental, $200 for 5 days and $250 for 7 days.
Where do I pick up and launch the SUP?
Pick up and launch at Duck Park in Alpena; the site features a specialized platform for launching and docking and the driveway to the parking lot is accessed from Long Rapids Road at the corner of Chisholm (US‑23).
Is the river suitable for beginners and families?
Yes—the described sections of Thunder Bay River are calm with a low current and are noted as perfect for all ability levels, making them suitable for family outings.
What wildlife might I see from a SUP?
Paddlers commonly see painted turtles on logs, ducks, nesting egrets, swans, Great Blue Heron and occasional otters in the river around Island Park.
Can I walk Island Park after paddling?
Yes—the covered bridge links Duck Park to Island Park and there are trails on the island to explore before or after your paddle.