About Carlisle Canoes of Northern Michigan
Grayling, Michigan
Open from May 1st to the Middle of October
View our hours of operation
Carlisle Canoes has been providing services for folks to kayak and canoe the AuSable River for over 60 years, offering a variety of scenic trips for all skill levels.
Enjoy our Day Trips from a simple 2.5 hour (8 miles) paddle while resting at the many picnic and camping areas or a longer 5.5 hour trip and see all the beauty the AuSable River has to offer. For those of you that want a real adventure, Carlisle's offers Overnight Trips as well. Start off with a one-night trip and stay at the White Pine Campground or go all or nothing and take up to 7 nights on the river paddling all the way to Lake Huron.
Carlisle Canoes History
"Stephans Cut Rate Canoe Livery" started in the mid 1940's offering trips in handmade wooden canoes. Later the business was purchased by Ken Carlisle who changed it to its current name, Carlisle Canoes. Ken Carlisle soon after invented the plastic paddle with aluminum shaft because he didn't like re-furbishing his wooden canoe paddles every winter. This paddle factory production operation was housed in the current boathouse. Before long he outgrew the boathouse location and moved his operation and sold Carlisle Canoes. Carlisle Canoes has gone through many owners since then, and in 2010 Terry & Karlie Clark purchased the business committed to making it a very friendly place for families, church groups, scouts and anyone else who wants to experience the great outdoors.
We Are Proud To Be Sponsors Of The Following:
