The Lake Express Muskegon to Milwaukee high speed ferry terminal is located nearby. Beautiful trails, comfortable currents, biking, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, this is all the par at Lansing River. Wunderhund - Travels in Michigan... and beyond - An overcast Sunday morning took me to downtown Eaton Rapids, a place I hadn't been to in over twenty . We offer both beginner and intermediate canoe trips. Submit a Place. The Chain of Lakes is a water trail consisting of 12 interconnected lakes and 4 rivers. It’s downstream tour that accompanies’s your paddle, offers breathtaking coves and beautiful fish and wildlife that gives your surroundings a pulse. is a beautiful river running through Michigan’s northern lower peninsula. Ontonagon River has many different branches that make it up, each stretching about 8-1- miles long. With water all around, there are plenty of places to kayak near Elk Rapids. Lake Dubonnet State Forest Campground is the perfect place to spend the night before launching into the lake for a day of kayaking. The backwaters are 5 miles long, and about 1600 acres, so there is plenty of space for exploring. Yesterday I finally got to kayak the Grand River in Lansing, the city where I live. Founded in 1990, the Grand River Environmental Action Team is a Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of and restoration of the Upper River Watershed in the Jackson County of south central Michigan. So, before taking this kayaking trip, make sure you are equipped and informed because Pictured Rocks have been known to be a tough location for rescues but a gorgeous place to kayak. Ages 7 & up. The best place to put in is at Maheras-Gentry Park. The national lakeshore runs for 42 miles, with many beautiful sights to see along the way. Ontonagon River is known as a perfect place to do some kayaking and whitewater rafting because the water is known to be less demanding than most. Onekama to Arcadia is a very beautiful part of Lake Michigan that can’t miss left out. Michigan’s longest river at 252 miles, the Grand River’s main stream rises near Jackson and flows north through Lansing and Ionia to Grand Rapids and to its outlet at Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. Top Grand Haven Kayaking & Canoeing Activities: See reviews and photos of kayaking & canoeing in Grand Haven, Michigan on Tripadvisor. It is a short river, just under 30 miles, and empties into Lake Michigan at the, You can do day trips or multi-day trips on the Huron River, and have plenty of locations to choose from with. There are campgrounds along the river if you are looking to do a multi-day trip. Lansing is a typical smallish Midwestern city that has seen better days during the auto industry boom. Middleville, MI. From fast rivers, to calm lakes and serene shorelines, you’re sure to find the ideal spot to paddle. They have a nice landing with plenty of free parking. The river is mainly known for being one of the best places in the country for trout fishing. City of Muskegon Harbour Towne Park Access Kayak Rental featuring single person 10' Old Town kayaks. It has 4 access points, each introducing a 5-10 mile river paddle that forces you to take in the incredible scenes of nature. Once there, the water is shallow enough to get out and explore, but be careful as the rocks are slippery. “It was a fun way to … If you make it a multi-day trip, you can camp at Barnes Park Campground and eventually make it up into Lake Michigan. It is also not the best place if you are looking to see a lot of wildlife, as there are lots of homes along the shores. Pictured Rocks have been known to have a rougher terrain and conditions that can change instantly, making it very unpredictable. Don’t let its flat water fool you, it requires your undivided attention at times to navigate around your encounters, all the while also providing a chance to take in its beautiful scenic surroundings. Kayak, Bike & Brew. 13 of the Best Places to Kayak in Michigan – With Pics! Much of the river is scenic, with little to no civilization, and nothing but pristine nature. At the end of your paddle, you’ll have the right to state that you “paddled the chain”. The Grand River Rapids stretch for an almost 8-mile run, which given its average speed, usually play for about a 3-hour paddle. originates at Long Lake in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula. Belmont, MI. The Platte River, MI. Aside from the Pictured Rocks, the lakeshore has beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, and lighthouses. The lower section on the other hand, is perfect for all skill levels. Our Grand River canoe trips are 3 hours or more, there is no time limit... we really encourage you to leave your watches behind and enjoy the day! Kayaking in Lansing River is an amazing adventure waiting for you to join. It provides a constant flow at around 5-6mph, a perfect speed to enjoy tubing all the while remembering the beautiful landscapes as you pass them, including the site of a 42 room mansion built in 1932, called The Durant Castle. The Two Hearted River is a short, but beautiful river in Michigan’s upper peninsula. What makes kayaking the canals of Detroit so unique is the. You can launch your own watercraft from nine local public access sites, rent a canoe or kayak for a guided tour, even take a scenic paddlewheel riverboat cruise. Despite the large amount of rain, the river is still very manageable, like most of the Grand. In case you’re having trouble choosing where to head off to for your next Michigan kayaking trip, we’ve rounded up some of the best destinations the state has to offer. This river is perfect for just a few hours, or multi-day trips. Paddle out and find your next spot. But there are some areas with rapids up to class II. The river trail presents an amazing picture of grandeur and nature in its true form. Once there, the water is shallow enough to get out and explore, but be careful as the rocks are slippery. You’ll witness migrating salmon accompanied by tight turns, quick current, low and high hanging branches, and underwater surprises. From the upper peninsula to the southeast, Michigan is teeming with stunning lakes and rivers. If you want a more relaxing trip, the section of the river near the mouth is very calm. In any case, Lansing is a city and this stretch of the Grand River will go through the city. Canoe vs Kayak Fishing: Which One is the Best. The Pictured Rocks make up a 15 mile stretch of the lakeshore. Canoe, kayak & SUP lessons available before your trip. A post shared by Joe Holder (@ochosystem) on May 28, 2017 at 7:41am PDT. This route has a slower flow rate. It is better for the more experienced kayakers since it is a bit of a trek. While the River is popularly known for its potential as a kayaking spot, the trail is also famous for other reasons. isn’t your cup of tea, it is still a beautiful river to paddle, and features a range of wildlife. BACK. So it really doesn’t matter what part of the state you are in, because you are never far from a spot to put in and spend the day paddling. The river is mostly calm, and ponds created by the dams can feel more like kayaking on a lake than a river. Manistee River is a pretty simple, stress-free kayaking experience. Suitability of river flows for paddling and paddling times depend on the experience and equipment of the paddler and the conditions at the time. But even if kayak fishing isn’t your cup of tea, it is still a beautiful river to paddle, and features a range of wildlife. Fennville, MI. Dimondale Canoe & Kayak. “They think the river is only the part you see in downtown Grand Rapids. At the Two Hearted River, is a great spot for the fisher inside all of us. . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. River Rat Canoe Rental. BACK. The Huron River is a great place to kayak no matter what you are looking for. Is there a place that we … Many of our conservation areas are excellent places to get out on the water. Canoeing or kayaking between the source of the Grand and Elora can be difficult because of low flows and the many portages. The lake gets its name from its beautiful crystal clear waters. So without further ado, here are 13 of Michigan’s finest places to kayak. Elk Rapids is a small community in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. The Au Sable is great for either day trips or overnight trips, as there are many campsites along the shores. Being such a long river, there are many sections that are available to be paddled. Are you looking for a river that you can paddle in a day? Lake Huron is a honey hole for paddling, be it on a kayak or stand up paddle board, this is one of Michigan’s most unique areas. The Grand River that flows through downtown Grand Rapids is a major focus of aquatic adventure. Grand River In the southeast region of Michigan, near Jackson, are the headwaters of the Grand River. Whether that be from a kayak, canoe or from a bike on the trails, its reputation surpasses all expectations. Here is a list of some of the best spots to go kayaking in Michigan: In the Southern Branch of Au Sable, in a small Michigan village called Roscommon, you can find a prime place for tubing and sightseeing all at the same time. Grand River in Michigan | Paddling.com In Jackson County, to Baldwin Park in Onondaga. With a combination of all 3 lake/river fronts, it offers some of the highest Arcadia Bluffs, quiet, calm and slow current stretches perfect for sunsetting breaks. Grant, MI. Its drenched terrain places for a peaceful, scenic river that offers beautiful sandy beaches. It has easy access points into the river, friendly experts always present, a variety of different fish to catch and wildlife to observe in the Ozark Mountains, and its river is inviting to all canoers, paddlers, and kayaking, fishers or even just floaters. Located on the Grand River,State Rd. Turnip Rock is only accessible by water, and is about 3.5 miles each way. It has 3 different bridges leading to other sections that make for a beautiful place to sneak off and take in the therapeutic vibes of the outdoors. Best Outdoor Adventure is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Offer a great place to kayak the Chain of lakes is a great spot for more. 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