4 Adventurous Rivers In Northern Michigan You Need To Paddle
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An owl led the way. It darted in and out of dark woods as the Ocqueoc River tugged my kayak over light riffles and rapids. Boulders jutted out of the water, and low-hanging branches threatened to capsize my boat, forcing me to pay attention.
The Ocqueoc soon spit me out of the woods, and I spied the owl watching from a towering pine. I wondered if it knew that Chipmunk Falls, a four-foot drop, lay ahead. Would I make it over the falls without getting drenched? The uncertainty was part of the Ocqueoc’s appeal.
Joining the Ocqueoc as one of the most adventurous rivers in Northern Michigan are the Pigeon, Black, and Sturgeon with only the latter maintained by a livery. These four rivers often require portaging and maneuvering around obstacles, reminding users to be prepared for changing conditions.*
They also combine the best of Michigan’s watery playgrounds from fast water and dense forest to lush meadows and endless wildlife.
Ocqueoc River
For me, the Ocqueoc symbolizes the start of paddling season. Optimal in the spring, when the water is running high, it slices through sleepy Presque Isle County, offering a float back in time from its headwaters in Lake Emma out to Lake Huron.
Civilization disappears, replaced with an addictive blend of swirling rapids, cedar forest, and limestone ledges. It also presents a new face each year with fresh beaver dams and deadfall adding to its challenges, making it a trip for more advanced paddlers.
Favorite Ocqueoc River Route: The approximately 6.5-mile section from the put-in at CR-638 Bridge in Millersburg, about 16 miles southeast of Rogers City, to the takeout at Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground features the river’s fastest water.
The Ocqueoc Falls, Northern Lower Michigan’s largest waterfall, waits just beyond the campground, so it’s essential that you don’t continue beyond this point. Paddlers might also want to consider portaging around Chipmunk Falls, about 2 miles before the takeout.
Pigeon River
Like the Ocqueoc, the Pigeon envelops paddlers in isolation while it carves through the Pigeon River State Forest. Glimpses of wildlife, as with all four rivers, are frequent from soaring bald eagles and feasting herons to watering deer and flitting dragonflies.
Known as the Big Wild, the Forest even boasts the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi. Beginners, however, should probably skip this one. But paddlers with a sense of adventure will appreciate the Pigeon’s fickle personality from logs blocking the river to exposed boulders.
Favorite Pigeon River Route: The section from Pigeon River Road to the Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve, 5 miles east of Indian River, flows through about 7 miles of the river’s swiftest portion.
Only paddleable in the spring or after substantial rainfall, it’s a rippling ride with many obstacles to navigate around, particularly during the final portion from the M-68 Bridge to the Preserve.
The paddle ends with a half-mile portage to the parking lot. As with all rivers, scouting the put-in and takeout is highly recommended.
Sturgeon River
The most popular of the four rivers, the Sturgeon tugs paddlers past quaint cottages and through long stretches of grassland and dense forest. It rushes along a gradient of about 14 feet per mile, creating numerous riffles and rapids. The river bends constantly and getting splashed is hard to avoid, adding to the fun.
Livery-maintained, it experiences frequent visitors during the summer, but pockets of solitude still exist. On a summer morning, my husband and I found ourselves alone on the river, sunlight sparkling around us.
A duck family waddled into the river, the babies trailing behind the mother. The moment lingered, long after the ducks vanished into underbrush, capturing the Sturgeon’s delightful blend of water and wildlife.
Favorite Sturgeon River Route: The Sturgeon brags about 17 miles of navigable water from Trowbridge Road, about 3 miles south of Wolverine, to Indian River’s Burt Lake State Park.
The entire route is enjoyable, but with several access sites, shorter trips are possible. Two favorites are from Scott Road Access Site to Fisher Woods Road in Indian River and Wolverine Park to Rondo Road.
Black River
The Black River not only steers paddlers through idyllic scenery but also leaves the 21st century far behind. The river experiences infrequent visitors but abounds with flora and fauna, claiming a few unusual sightings, such as otters and spawning lake sturgeon, a threatened Michigan species, during late spring.
On a hot summer afternoon, a boy stood with his fishing pole next to Tower Pond as I ended my paddle. He chatted about his day as if we were lifelong friends.
Redwing blackbirds dashed in and out of stunted trees, protesting our presence. Their red patches flashed against the cloudless sky. The bustle of the modern world melted away, leaving me thankful for the Black and its tranquil waters.
Favorite Black River Route: The section between Clark Bridge Road, about 15 miles south of Onaway, and the dam on Tower Pond, stretches for about 20 miles of easy paddling with many options from tackling the entire length to shorter outings.
The portion from Clark Bridge to the rapids at Crocket Bridge makes an excellent short introduction to the river and is also where otters have been spotted.
Enjoy Your Next Adventure on These Northern Michigan Rivers
From owls gliding along dusky woods to wind rushing through tall pines to watery fingers stretching into forested shorelines, the Ocqueoc, Pigeon, Sturgeon, and Black embody Northern Lower Michigan’s landscape. The beat of wings melds with the rhythm of riffles as the sun glints off boulders, bewitching all paddlers in a sparkling world of water.
*Paddlers should never forget that boating comes with a certain amount of risk, so it’s vital that you recreate wisely. This means taking responsibility to be both physically and mentally prepared for whatever you might encounter on the water.
For more information about the rivers, visit michiganbiyaking.com or check out Jerry Dennis and Craig Date’s Canoeing Michigan Rivers: A Comprehensive Guide to 45 Rivers.