|
Michigan Paddlesports Directory is a comprehensive directory of Paddlesports resources throughout the State of Michigan. Find a great paddling route, guide, outfitter, store, school, rental shop or tour guide.
One of Michigan's true gems, is it's extensive system of rivers and lakes. Rivers, once used for driving logs through the remote forest of Northern Michigan, these rivers now provide excellent outdoor recreational opportunities canoeists and kayakers. Trips are available lasting from a few hours to as long as a week. Primitive campsites are available along most of the rivers. Some sites have wilderness latrines and tent pads. There is also information on individual river trips and kayaking the offshore islands of Lake Huron, Lake Superior & Lake Michigan.
CANOEING & KAYAKING DESTINATIONS
Several thousand years ago, glaciers carved a spectacular system of contours into the earth in what was later to become the state of Michigan. As a result, we're left with one of the best places to kayak in the world. From the multitude of protected in-land lakes to the many faces and tempers of the Great Lakes, Michigan presents an endless variety to the paddler. Michigan’s beautiful rivers and lakes offer wonderful outdoor recreational experiences. They attract canoe, kayak, and rafting and tubing enthusiast from all over the world. Rivers, once used for driving logs through the remote forest of Northern Michigan, these rivers now provide excellent outdoor recreational opportunities canoeing, kayaking, rafting and tubing. The following are just a sample of destinations to canoe or kayak in Michigan:
HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST CANOE TRAILS
Autrain River
The slow moving, meandering AuTrain River offers an excellent four to six hour canoe trip. The trail begins at the Forest Service boat launch in the AuTrain Lake Campground and proceeds north approximately 10 miles to Lake Superior.
Big Island Lake
More than 20 inland lakes nestled in rolling woodlands make up the Big Island Lake area, which offers secluded canoeing, fishing, hiking and camping opportunities as well as backcountry Nordic skiing in winter. The scenic area covers 6,606 acres and is primarily roadless with limited access to three of the lakes for motorized vehicles.
Indian River
The Indian River Canoe Trailhead at Fish Lake is approximately 36 miles northwest of Manistique, and about 15 miles south of Munising. The Indian River, from Fish Lake to Indian Lake, a total of almost 36 miles, offers excellent canoeing.
Sturgeon River
The Sturgeon River canoe trail starts 3 miles west of Forest Highway 13 at County Road 440 near the Alger-Delta County line. This is approximately 35 miles east of Rapid River, and 44 miles west of Manistique. The trail is 41 miles in length and has six access points. Most lands along the Sturgeon River are National Forest Lands, but private properties exist.
Whitefish River
The Whitefish River canoe trail offers approximately 28 miles of good canoeing. It offers the canoer two trails, the East Branch is approximately 8 miles longer than the West Branch. Two and a half miles south of FR-2236, the two branches converge and flow past the bridge on U.S. 2 and onto the public boat launch site at Rapid River. Deer, waterfowl, and bird sightings (including bald eagles) are common.
Huron-Manistee National Forest
Nine rivers (AuSable River, Big Manistee River, Big Sable River, Hersey River, Little Manistee River, Pere Marquette, Pine River, Rifle River, White River) offer about 550 miles of canoeing and kayaking within the boundaries of the National Forests. Most launches on rivers are for car-top boats, canoes or kayaks, except for those at some of the larger dam ponds. Beginners and novice canoers and kayakers should be able to handle most of the rivers, although log jams, sharp hairpin turns and fast currents on some stretches of river may challenge the intermediate level canoeist. Rivers range from 20 to 80 feet wide and meander through deeply cut sand and clay banks to wide flat flood plains. The ponds created by hydroelectric dams provide slow lake canoeing and kayaking. Winds may be a hazard for canoes and kayaks.
Wilderness Areas. If it’s solitude and pristine beauty you want, combined with a bit more challenge, you’ll want to visit Isle Royale National Park or Sylvania Wilderness . Within the wilderness, there are designated wilderness campsites bordering many of the lakes.
GRAND ISLAND
Grand Island possesses many unique features and provides a variety of recreational opportunities. This newly established National Recreation Area is home to unique vegetation, a substantial black bear population, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, whitetail deer and loons. The northern end of the island provides picturesque sandstone cliffs reaching over 200 feet high, and the southern end holds excellent camping opportunities on the sand beaches located around the coastline. This brochure is designed to provide sea kayakers with information on what to expect while paddling around Grand Island. Paddling around Grand Island's northern half is hazardous. The coastline is lined with over 200 foot sandstone cliffs that descend directly into the water with no place to beach a kayak. Most storms come from the northwest so you are fully exposed to the winds of Lake Superior. There are few places other than North Beach to land if an emergency situation arises. The east side of the island (the thumb) also presents the same situation. Even though Murray Bay and Trout Bay are sheltered depending on the direction of the wind, the channels and Munising Bay may be rough.
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK
Isle Royale National Park is the largest island on Lake Superior that is the largest freshwater lake on earth. Isle Royale’s separation from the mainland gives it a uniquely isolated feel. It is designated a wilderness national park and also recognized as a Biosphere Preserve. The Island is popular for backpacking, canoeing, scuba diving, fishing and kayaking. Sightings of eagles, osprey, loons, otters, red fox and moose are fairly common when paddling at Isle Royale. Several thousand years ago, glaciers carved a spectacular system of contours into the earth in what was later to become the state of Michigan. As a result, we're left with one of the best places to kayak in the world. From the multitude of protected in-land lakes to the many faces and tempers of the Great Lakes, Michigan presents an endless variety to the paddlers.
WILDERNESS AREAS
If it’s solitude and pristine beauty you want, combined with a bit more challenge, you’ll want to visit one of the wilderness areas listed below. Within the wilderness areas, there are designated wilderness campsites bordering many of the lakes.
McCormick Wilderness
This 16,580 acre wilderness is located on the Kenton Ranger District and boasts a variety of landscape types ranging from nearly level to rocky cliffs and outcrops. You will find small scattered lakes and the Yellow Dog National Wild and Scenic River. Access is by foot. Canoeing opportunities are limited by lengthy portages. There are no developed campsites and dispersed camping is allowed.
Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
This 14,139 acre wilderness is located on the Kenton Ranger District. Here you will find the Sturgeon National Wild and Scenic River and its tributaries with steep rugged gorges up to 300 feet deep, and 1/2 to 1 mile wide. Access to the interior is by cross country navigation or on overgrown old logging roads which may be difficult to find and follow. There are no developed campsites and dispersed camping is allowed.
Sylvania Wilderness
The Sylvania Wilderness and Sylvania Recreation Area, is located near Watersmeet, Michigan and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Combined with the adjacent Recreation Area, the 18,327 acre wilderness offers an outstanding experience for those who want to camp, fish, hike, canoe, kayak, ski or enjoy the solitude of a wilderness experience.
|
