The logging camps and mills gradually closed, leaving the river for its next generations of users - canoeists and kayakers. Today, the White River is a nationally designated Scenic Recreational River that twists and turns through the Manistee National Forest. The river offers beautiful scenery along its banks, changing with the seasons. The spring allows views deep into the forest, while the trees are still in the budding stage. Summer covers the distant views with beautiful shades of green from the large numbers of evergreen trees.
Autumn furnishes an ever-changing palette, providing photo opportunities along the way.
Wildlife can still be found along the banks, and paddlers see white tail deer, raccoons, mink, muskrats, waterfowl, beavers, sand cranes, blue heron and others. Visitors can also enjoy glimpses of the largest variety of turtles east of the Mississippi. Fishing is also a popular sport here. Between The White River and its tributaries, Blue Lake, White Lake and Lake Michigan, some of the best fishing in the world awaits even the most avid angler. Everything from the coveted king salmon, steelhead and lake trout to the ever popular bluegill, perch, pickerel and bass all make their home here.