All trips begin at M-51N and continue downstream at appoximately 2hr, 4hr, & 6hr trips. Located immediately west of your point of departure you will cross your first bridge, about a half-mile further downstream you will pass the land once owned by  Mr. A. Thomz. His wife and two children were three of the five local residents saved when the Titanic sank on April 14, 1912. The second bridge is at Middle Crossing Road. At this point early settlers dumped logs in the river and floated them to the sawmill at Sumnerville, about 12 miles downstream.  The thrid bridge is at Yaw Street and the forth at M-62, which marks the take-out for the 2hr trip.

The 4hr and 6hr trips continues on south of M-62, you will see the old bridge used by the Interurban Trolley, which ran between Benton Harbor and Dowagiac. Service started in 1911 and ended in 1928. To your left just south the Interurban Bridge is the mouth of the Dowagiac Creek which was used to supply waterpower to 30 milling operations and a generating plant that supplied the first electricity to Dowagiac. The next bridge is at Frost Street. As you approach the bridge, the forest area to your right is the Dowagiac Woods, the last untouched woodland in the area. It is home to many rare and endangered species of wild flowers. The woods are now a permanently protected area. The next bridge crosses the river at Peavine Street. South of Peavine Street the river makes a wide horseshoe curve to the right. This is one of the most scenic areas of the trip. At the south end, the river flows under Sink Road Bridge. A small rapids at this point marks the take-out for canoes on the 4hr trip.

The 6hr trip continues further downstream. At approximately 1-1/2 miles the area on your left is Crystal Springs Methodist campground. During the 1870's thousands met there each summer for religious programs. Crystal Springs was also the site of the states first fish hatchery opened in 1873. Another mile downstream you will pass the Pokagon Creek. Then you will pass under the Indian Lake Road Bridge just west of Sumnerville. Just west of Sumnerville you will encounter a section of mild rapids ending at Arthur Dodd Park, a well kept park with picnic tables. A great spot for a picnic lunch and the final canoe take-out.