The Ranch Boat Launch

There's no real ramp here — it's a gravel slide into the Rifle River. You can get a canoe, kayak, or small jon boat in without much trouble, but don't show up expecting to back a trailer down a proper launch. If you're running anything over 14 feet, look elsewhere.

Two trailer spots and that's it. On a summer weekend, you're basically hoping nobody else had the same idea. If both spots are taken, there's no real overflow area — you're stuck turning around or getting creative along the access road.

There's a pit toilet here, which is more than most small river access points offer. But there's no trash can, so people dump garbage in the toilet. Bring a bag for your own trash and don't expect a pristine facility.

This spot shines as a put-in or take-out for paddling the Rifle River. The gravel bank is manageable and the current is mellow enough to load and unload without drama. Pair it with another access point upstream or downstream for a solid half-day float through some beautiful Arenac County river country.