Black River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The Black River rises in a boreal wetland on the Wisconsin border and runs 41 miles north through Gogebic County to Lake Superior. The name's origin is not documented in the sources consulted — most likely it describes the river's dark, tannin-stained water. The watershed's story is the western U.P.'s story: the copper and iron ranges built Bessemer, Ramsay and Wakefield; white pine loggers worked the valley; and commercial fishermen made Black River Harbor — one of only two harbors in the entire National Forest System — a 1920s fishing village landing lake trout.

The Civilian Conservation Corps left its mark in the 1930s with the harbor's stone pavilion, three taverns, and the 210-foot pedestrian suspension bridge that still carries the North Country Trail across the river's mouth. In 1992 the river earned double federal recognition: the northern 14 miles within the Ottawa National Forest were designated a National Wild and Scenic River (Scenic classification) on March 3, 1992, and Black River Road (County Road 513) was named a National Forest Scenic Byway the same year. The Michigan DNR has managed the fishery with stocking since the 1930s — brook and brown trout early on, then Chinook salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout at the harbor beginning in 1971.

Interactive River Map

Tap a pin for details. Pinch or use the + / – buttons to zoom.

• Launch / harbor
• Waterfall
• USGS gage
• Camping

Pins marked (approx.) are approximate — confirm exact spots before a club trip.

River Overview

Headwaters

The Black River rises in a boreal wetland on the Iron County, Wisconsin border and flows north about 42 river miles to Lake Superior, draining 255 square miles of western Gogebic County (Michigan DNR).

Mouth

Lake Superior at Black River Harbor (46.6675°N, 90.0492°W), where the North Country Trail crosses on the CCC suspension bridge.

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

Primary USGS Gage

Station

04031000 — Black River near Bessemer, MI

Location

Near Bessemer, Gogebic County (46.5113°N, 90.0746°W)

Drainage Area

200 sq mi

Period of Record

Discharge since 2000 (earlier record 1954–2006 per DNR)

NWS Stages

Bankfull 9.5 ft · Flood 10 ft (at 12 ft, water reaches the Hedberg Road Bridge)

USGS Interactive Map

Explore USGS gages on and near the river.

Water-Level Considerations

No published recreational paddling flow ranges exist for the Black River — use the live gage against these benchmarks:

Typical Water Temperature

Cold and spring-influenced; the DNR notes groundwater inflow below US-2 moderates summer temperatures in the lower river.

Paddling Character

Say it plainly: the Black River's fame is its waterfalls, and waterfalls are not paddled. The lower two miles — Narrows, Chippewa, Algonquin, Great Conglomerate, Potawatomi, Gorge, Sandstone and Rainbow Falls — are unrunnable. Expert whitewater kayakers have run portions of the upper river and the drops between falls at high water, portaging each cataract, but that is expedition-level paddling, not club paddling. The upper river above the falls reach is small, quick to rise and fall, and choked with strainers and deadfall.

Recommended Boats

• Whitewater kayak (experts, upper river)
• Hiking boots (the falls — the real attraction)

Potential Hazards

• Waterfalls (8+)
• Flashy flows
• Strainers & logjams
• Cold water
• Slippery falls trails
• Bears
• Remote — poor cell service
• Lake Superior surf at the harbor

Michigan Water Trails

Not a designated river water trail. The Black River's federal Wild and Scenic designation protects the corridor, but no state paddling trail follows the river.

At the mouth, the river meets the Western U.P. Water Trail — a 319-mile Lake Superior coastal trail from the Michigan/Wisconsin border around the Keweenaw Peninsula to the Baraga/Marquette county line. Black River Harbor has a boat launch used by harbor anglers and coastal paddlers; Lake Superior here is expert, big-lake water.

Source: michiganwatertrails.org. Access sites on each trail page appear on its live map.

Dams & Portages

No dams are known on the Michigan mainstem of the Black River. The DNR fishery report notes Black River Lake Dam upstream (Wisconsin) and dams controlling water levels on McDonald and Sunday Lakes (tributary impoundments).

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

Public access exists mainly for anglers and sightseers; confirm any put-in on the ground before a club trip.

? = confirm before a club trip.

Camping

Wildlife & Fishing

Wildlife & Scenery

• Black bear
• Moose
• Bald eagle
• River otter
• Beaver
• White-tailed deer

Notable Scenery

Five major waterfalls in two miles along the National Forest Scenic Byway; the CCC suspension bridge and historic harbor; Copper Peak nearby

Best Wildlife Viewing

Quiet upper-river mornings

Best Fall Colors

Late September – early October along Black River Road

Fishing

• Brook trout
• Brown trout
• Rainbow trout / steelhead
• Chinook & coho salmon (harbor stocking since 1971)
• Lake trout (harbor trolling)

Regulations

Michigan's general trout opener is the last Saturday in April. Check the current Michigan DNR fishing guide for stream-type rules and harbor regulations.

Popular Spots

Mosinee Grade and road crossings for stream trout; Black River Harbor for trolling lake trout, browns, steelhead and coho

Eat Safe Fish

Follow the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guide — mercury advisories apply to many U.P. inland waters.

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Bilge pump
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• Map / GPS
• Sturdy footwear for falls trails
• Bear-safe food storage

River-Specific Concerns

The river's flashiness is the headline hazard — the DNR's "quite flashy" means a morning shower can remake the river by afternoon. Never approach the lip of a falls; the rocks are slick and the hydraulics below are lethal. Store food bear-safe at harbor and dispersed camps.

Nearest Emergency Care

Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, N10561 Grand View Lane, Ironwood — 24-hour emergency department, (906) 932-2525.

911 Tips

Use falls names or road crossings ("Gorge Falls trailhead, Black River Road") — river miles alone won't locate you.

Best Time & Access

Best Time to Paddle

Spring

Highest water — the falls are thunderous; the river is at its most dangerous. Sightseeing season opens.

Summer

Best window for the upper river (experienced paddlers) and for the falls trails.

Fall

Peak color along the byway; lower water.

Winter

Frozen falls draw photographers; paddling is out.

Best Months

June – September

Access & Regulations

Ottawa National Forest

Nearly all riparian land north of Sixmile Creek is NF; some sites charge day-use/camping fees

Wild & Scenic

National Wild and Scenic River (Scenic) — northern 14 miles in the Ottawa NF, designated March 3, 1992

Scenic Byway

Black River National Forest Scenic Byway (CR 513), designated 1992 — 11+ miles, five waterfall trailheads, Copper Peak access

Hunting Seasons

Bear (September), grouse (mid-Sept–Jan 1), deer firearm (Nov 15–30) — wear blaze orange in fall; check the current DNR digest

Watercraft

Michigan requires no registration for non-motorized canoes and kayaks; a Michigan fishing license is required for anglers 17+

Shuttle & Livery

None on this river

Events

No paddling races on the river; the byway hosts fall color tours

Trip Planning

Best One-Day Trip

Drive the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway and hike all five waterfall trails — Great Conglomerate, Potawatomi/Gorge, Sandstone, Rainbow — ending at the harbor suspension bridge

Best Fishing Day

Upper river at Mosinee Grade or the road crossings near Bessemer; or troll the harbor for lake trout

Best Multi-Day

Base-camp at Black River Harbor Campground; day-trip the falls, the harbor, and Copper Peak

What to Pack

Hiking gear first, paddling gear second: traction footwear, rain shell, camera, bear-safe food storage, and — only if your group is genuinely qualified — whitewater boats for the upper river at verified flows.

Leave No Trace & Clean Drain Dry

Stay on the falls trails, pack out everything, and Clean-Drain-Dry any watercraft before entering Lake Superior to stop aquatic invasive species.

River Difficulty

American Whitewater: Class I–V+

• Elm Lane to Ramsay — Class I(II)
• Ramsay to Gabbro Falls — Class II–III
• Gabbro Falls to Narrows Park — Class I–II
• Narrows Park to Conglomerate Falls — Class II–III+
• Conglomerate Falls to Lake Superior — Class IV–V(V+)

Ratings rise at high water — check the USGS gage before paddling. American Whitewater