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Places to Paddle

Water Trails
Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail
Huron County, Michigan -- Access Points on Lake Huron in Michigan's Thumb
Keweenaw Water Trail
Michigan Upper Peninsula: Circling the tip of the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, it gives the paddler the opportunity to experience the grandeur of Lake Superior with an extended margin of safety provided by the ability to move to the alternate shoreline when wind and waves threaten.
Les Cheneaux Water Trail
This trail spans over 75 miles of the northernmost shores of Lake Huron from the Carp River near St. Ignace through the Les Cheneaux Islands and on to DeTour Village, located at the mouth of the St. Mary's River.
Michigan Canoe Trails
Trails are in Hiawatha National Forest, in Michigan's upper peninsula.
Lake Superior Water Trail
The Lake Superior Water Trail is an on-going, cooperative effort to connect the 3,000 miles of shoreline that border Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake (by surface area) in the world and the cleanest of all the Great Lakes.
Natural Rivers Program
Michigan DNR - The Natural Rivers Program was developed to preserve, protect and enhance our state's finest river systems for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.
Ludington State Park Water Trail
PDF map from MDNR
The Western Shore of Lake Michigan
This is a "work-in-progress", listing proposed/projected water trail sites/access points with GPS coordinates.

Saginaw River - East Side Launch Sites
Veterans Park on River Rd. (M 13) at Bay/ Saginaw County Line
Boat launch is at the north end of the park; Good Parking and Toilets. Free
Heading north on M 13 into South Bay City
On Broadway @ Cass (Signal Light), Turn left heading west, proceed to the river. New boat launch; toilets. Free
Golson Boat Launch - Southwest side of Independence Bridge
Heading east on Center Ave (M-25) from downtown Bay City: At Center Rd./Johnson intersection (Signal Light), Turn left heading north. Proceed to the dead end of Johnson St. at the Golson Park Entrance. New boat ramp, ample parking, toilets, plus a picnic area. Free
Essexville Downtown Park
From downtown Bay City (M-25), head east. At Pine (Signal Light) - Rite Aide on NE Corner - Turn Left heading north Proceed to Woodside Ave (Signal Light). Turning left, proceed to City Hall @ Burns St. Turning right (north), go to stop sign and turn right to enter park. Good parking; Toilets behind City Hall may be open. Free
Essexville - Cement Plant
M-25 (E) to Pine St. turning left; head North. At the Woodside light continue 1 block North, turning Left onto Saline St. Proceed 4 blocks to the Stop sign @ Potter St. Angle right to river launch site. Older launch site. Free

Saginaw River - West Side Launch Sites
Bay City Rowing Club Site
From the west traveling east on Salzburg Ave. (M-13): Cross the first bridge. Turn left between Rowing Club and Boys Club. From the (EAST) traveling (W) on Lafayette St **M-13* Cross the Saginaw River Turn right between Boys Club and Rowing Club - Rowing Club is on your left. Lots of parking. Launch from water level dock. Free 1.25 miles to Vets park
Veterans Memorial Park - Bay City West Side
Enter the park from the 900 Block of (S) Henry Street, turning east into Park Entrance ((OR)) Enter the park from (E) Midland Street. turning (South) on to Kennedy Drive At the tennis courts turn left (E). Standard concrete boat ramp but at certain times of the year, wooden boat ramps are attached to the sea wall. Tons of parking; toilets. Free 1.75 Miles to Independence Bridge; 5.75 miles to River Mouth
Independence Bridge - North Side
From downtown Bay City, Travel (E) on Center Ave (M-25) At Trumbull St, (Signal Light) turn Left, and proceed north. Follow Trumbull Street to the Independence Bridge. On the (N) side of the bridge at the light, turn right (east). Go 0.3 of a mile to parking lot entrance. Huge site, if attended there is a fee and toilets are available If unattended, site is Free

Saginaw River Mouth Sites
Shady Shore
From I-75 take Wilder Rd Exit and head East. As the road begins to angle right and at the signal light, turn left. Go about 40 Yds and head North on Patterson Ave. About 0.9 of a mile north, you will come to Shady Shore (just before the dead end); Head EAST
DNR Launch Site
As you approach the Marina/Yacht Club**Bear right and you will enter the DNR launch site. Fee, if attendant is on duty. Always open, lots of parking and toilets.
Delta Sailing School easement launch
As you approach the the marina, turn left onto "Sunrise" and follow the road around the marina. Go to the stop sign. Proceed straight to the end of the street. Turn right and to the launch site. Delta Sailing School is on your left. Parking, FREE, but no toilets. 0.5 mile to mouth and Saginaw Bay Bay City State Park is approx 2.5 /3 miles to the West

Kawkawlin River Launch Sites
Public access@4 Mile Rd / Wheeler Rd.
I-75 North bound: Exit at Wilder Rd. at the signal light turn left onto Wilder. Proceed to 3 Mile Rd. Turn right onto 3 Mile traveling north to Wheeler Rd. At Wheeler, turn left (west), going 1 mile to the Public Access. Adequate parking, but no toilets; 1.5 miles to Kawkawlin Village.
H.H.Stein Memorial Park in Kawkawlin Village
North on M-13 to the Village of Kawkawlin At the (Signal light) turn left (W) on to Grove St. Go 1 block to Pine St., turn left (south), drive 0.2 of a mile, park is on your right. Great parking and nice grassy launch; 4.5 miles to the river mouth.
Public Access - 0.5 mile from River Mouth
From Bay City Meijer Store on Wilder Rd. travel east on Wilder to Henry/State Park Dr. Intersection at the Signal Light Rite Aide on SW corner. Turn left, heading (N). Cross the Kawkawlin River and watch for the RR Tracks. Turn right on Pembrooke, then right on Rivelo to River Dr. At River Dr. the Easement Entrance can be found next to the home located at 401 River. Parking is Free but no toilets.
Public Access - Adjacent to 331 River Rd. 0.25 miles from River Mouth
Follow above initial directions. At Pembrooke, turn right At junction, ease left onto Glendale, taking Glendale to River Turn left on River Rd. to the intersection of River & Oakdale Boat Hoist at rivers' edge, if you need help launching your kayak! State Park beach is west 0.75 miles from river mouth. Parking, but no toilets.