Three Paddling Adventures in the Eastern U.P.

Glide through the rivers and lakes in a kayak or canoe and you will catch a glimpse of the real Upper Peninsula. Come explore our quiet marshes, wilderness islands, and the wildlife that calls these spaces home. No matter your fitness or experience level, there’s something for everyone in our top three paddling adventures.

Explore the Les Cheneaux Islands

Spend a half day kayaking the Les Cheneaux Islands, where guide Jessie Hadley, of Woods & Water Ecotours, will lead you on a unique water-view tour of this gorgeous chain of islands.

You’ll paddle beside breathtaking shorelines, through a system of channels lined with historic boathouses, and past forested islands with limestone cobble shores, where a short hike provides a welcome respite.

Appropriate for beginners and advanced paddlers alike, the four-hour trip is made easy with the instruction, navigation and equipment provided by Hadley. Your guide is well-versed in the local ecology and geology.

Your four-hour excursion will feel like it is flying by, which means your next trip will demand a full day. Don’t worry – the Les Cheneaux area boasts dozens of islands and several great options for kayaking and Hadley is always game to set off on a new adventure.

It's a Family Affair

Why watch wildlife on television when your kids can experience it first-hand on a family-friendly kayak tour? Climb aboard a tandem kayak, where smaller children can safely accompany an adult as they make their way through marsh areas where fish, bald eagles, ducks, herons, and other wildlife abound. At a comfortable two hours, this trip is a great way to discover whether younger family members will enjoy paddling.

Children age three and up are eligible for the family trip, although Mom or Dad is probably the best judge of who is ready to slide into the front seat of a kayak. With an expert guide, scenic vistas and abundant wildlife, people of all ages will enjoy the two-hour excursion. Woods & Water Ecotours will customize any tour for those craving a kayaking adventure.

Strike Off On Your Own

Independent types who wish to strike out on a paddling adventure sans guide will find exhilarating options on rivers and lakes in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. In Sault Ste. Marie, the St. Mary’s River offers paddlers a once-in-a-lifetime experience – paddling through a maritime lock on the Sault, Ontario side of the river. (Just be sure to have proper identification and a marine radio before crossing into Canadian waters.) Sherman Park is an easily-accessible launch in the upper river and Aune Osborn offers an option in the lower river. In nearby Brimley, the Waiskey River is a pleasant journey for those willing to paddle upstream and then float back to land transportation. South of the Sault, the Les Cheneaux Islands area is kayak and canoe –friendly and Munuscong Bay provides a beautiful, scenic paddle. With abundant rivers, bays and lakes in the region, your next great paddle is never far away.

Guide Source: Woods & Water Ecotours
(906) 484-4157