Bring The Thunder
The Boyne Thunder Poker Run — the ultimate poker run of Michigan.
Published: Saturday, June 27, 2026 9:00 am
This July, Boyne City will once again play host to the coveted Boyne Thunder Poker Run, a multi-day event for boaters and attendees which was voted the World’s Best Poker Run by Speed On the Water in 2017. This year’s event starting July 9th and running until the 11th marks the 23rd year of the poker run, with 125 boats entered — a set number of spots that sold out in a minute and a half! People from all over the country are set to come to the event, from both the east and west coasts like Florida and California to as nearby as New York and Wisconsin.
The fun starts on Thursday with a lunch run to Bay Harbor sponsored by UnRiehl Performance, followed by a welcome party at the event’s host hotel Boyne Mountain on Thursday night (sponsored by American Custom Marine, Myco Trailers, and Nor-Tech). Friday night in Boyne City features a street party with thousands of people coming to town for the event and all the performance boats and displays. Boyne Thunder and ACM both have apparel displays selling the latest performance clothing and gear, as well as a Mercury Racing support trailer with parts and accessories for people needing last-minute things.
The Poker Run officially starts on Saturday morning, going from Boyne City to Elk Rapids, then jumps over to North Port and back to Charlevoix around the early afternoon. After Lunch the poker run heads back out to Bay Harbor and Harbor Springs before heading back into Lake Charlevoix to Horton Bay, ending back in Boyne City at the marina. Later that evening the poker run is topped off with a charity auction and dinner.
The Poker Run has raised close to $2 million in the past for charity, namely Camp Quality, a camp for kids with cancer, and for Challenge Mountain which works with special needs youth. The event itself is also captured on video and photography, but it won’t be the same as seeing it live. To get your tickets and learn more about accommodations, visit boynethunder.com.
tags: Bay Harbor, Boating, Boyne City, Boyne Thunder Poker Run, Camp Quality, Challenge Mountain, Charity, Elk Rapids, Fundraiser, Mercury Racing, Speed On the Water, Youth
