Welcome to Johnny Panther Quests Ecotours

Adventure trips by boat in Michigan

We offer tranquil cruises through the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, and other beautiful places in Michigan. All tours are by reservation and most average 2-5 hours. That all depends on your spirit for adventure and how high the water is! We explain the history, ecology, wildlife habits, and lucky to be alive stories growing in up part of Michigan's largest watershed and other beautiful places. From "tranquiltude" to "cardiovascular chaos", we live for it all!

Growing up Johnny Panthering

Founded in 1994, Johnny Panther Quests put a name on something we had been doing for fun for over two decades = Running through the swamps and carrying the boat to other rivers for fun and exercise. My step-dad always said, "It's not how much money you make, but that you are happy where you live!" I love and have lived on or near the water most of my life. We don't have many requests to carry the boat anymore but do get to share the "Everglades of Michigan" AKA Shiawasssee National Wildlife Refuge, our playground with others!

Our Quest

To share some of our favorite (and new ones too!) places with others in a safe and private setting. To eliminate stress and get out of the mainstream. To provide heart pounding excitement to those who want it, and "tranquilitude" for those that don't! We want to show off the good side of Michigan and have fun doing it!

Meet Your Tour Guide

Your Captain Wil AKA "Captain Chaos" - There's no need to fear when the skies are clear! -lol

Wil Hufton III

We wanted to share our experience. In 1994 we created Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips. Providing ecotours by boat (and other modes) for people to get out and experience some of our areas best kept secrets is our passion. From soft adventures through 18,000 acres of the "Everglades of Michigan" (the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge and State Game Area), to adventure trips through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Treading lightly, we strive to "leave it better than what we found it". Our boat tours and charters offer tranquil escapes close to Frankenmuth, Saginaw, and Oscoda, Michigan just to name a few. Imagine cruising into the sunset, and returning under the stars.

Our second playground is the White Mountains of New Hampshire. From the serenity of a mountain pool to the adrenaline of rock running up the river to get there, that is our core spirit. The thrill of our "quests" and the gift of life is what drives us. We live for this stuff, and it keeps us alive. Entering our 30th year of business, the friendships and memories created are priceless. We offer thirty plus years of experience "playing" in the areas we guide, still each day provides us with something new and exciting.

Our Adventure Trips

Shiawasee National Wildlife Refuge

Located in Saginaw, make the trip your own: 3-hours to All Day

touring part of the largest watershed in the state of Michigan.

Great for:

Family Bonding
Team Building
Corporate Outings
Romadic Escapes
Bird and Nature Enthusiasts

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AuSable River

Located near Oscoda, make the trip your own: half-day to multi-day adventures touring some of Michigan's most pristine waterways.

Great for:

Families
Friend groups
Bachelor and bachelorette parties
Birding and wildlife enthusiasts
Outdoor athletes -- waterskiing and dune climbing

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Davison

Come and explore the Flint River with us. NOT the one you have seen on the news. Once a blue-ribbon trout stream, it's natural beauty is astounding and still supports trout in some places. Best fall color tour by boat in the Lower Peninsula.

New Hampshire

The White Mountain of New Hampshire is our other playground. An intimate adventure to some of our favorite places in the Presidential Range. 7 days of rustic camping or you can upgrade to a motel in town. A couple of warm up hikes to see what we're made of, and plan our itinerary from there. Moderate physical condition is desirable to fully appreciate this adventure. Call for details.

Frankenmuth

We don't sell many of these as there are two other good operations in Frankenmuth. This adventure up the Cass River goes quite a way further than where the others turn around. The view is mostly nice homes along the river. The water gets boulder filled and treacherous. This trip is ideal during high water with the small boat. I will always encourage you to make the short drive to Saginaw for more bang for your buck!

Create Your Adventure

Make an adventure of your own with an experienced tour guide. From single day to multi-day quests in a location of choice, such as:

Torch Lake
The Inland Waterway
Other waterways of Michigan