Lower river
Short and slow
A short paddle up the river from the mouth. Small and shallow above the village.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Alcona County to Lake Huron at Black River
Black River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A small Alcona County river that ends at the old lumber village of Black River on Lake Huron. The river itself is short and small, but its mouth opens onto one of the wildest shorelines in the Lower Peninsula, with paddle-in camping at Negwegon State Park just to the north.
RegionSunrise Coast, Northeast Lower Peninsula
CountiesAlcona; North Branch in Alpena
WatershedLake Huron coastal streams
Great Lake BasinLake Huron
River LengthAbout 15.5 miles
PaddleableLower river and the Lake Huron coast
Best SeasonJune to September
MouthLake Huron at Black River
Before you launch: Lake Huron is the real trip
- Lake Huron: the shoreline is wild and exposed. Check the marine forecast and paddle only in calm conditions.
- Shallow, sandy mouth: the river mouth fills with sand and is dredged to keep it open. Expect shallow water.
- Rocky shoreline: the coast near Black River Island has wrecked ships. Watch for rocks and reefs.
- Remote: Negwegon State Park is undeveloped and cell coverage is spotty.
River History
William Cullings settled at the mouth of the Black River in 1849, and French trappers and fishermen built a small community there. In 1868, Alger, Smith & Company began logging the area. In 1876 it built the first railroad in the region, running about 25 miles inland, and at its peak the village had about 2,000 people. Russell Alger, later Michigan's governor, ran his lumber company's local headquarters here.
When the company shut down in 1906, Black River became a quiet fishing village. Just offshore, Black River Island's rocky coast wrecked ships like the Alvin Buckingham in 1870 and the Ishpeming in 1903. Negwegon State Park, established in 1962 just north of the village, keeps about 8 miles of the coast wild.
River Map
River Overview
The Black River's main branch rises in northern Harrisville Township and flows north through Haynes and Alcona townships to Lake Huron at the village of Black River. The North Branch starts in Sanborn Township in southern Alpena County. Silver Creek and Haynes Creek also feed the river.
Harrisville Township headwaters
Small streams through forest and farmland.
Haynes and Alcona townships
Small river flowing north toward the lake.
Black River Park
Township park and state boat launch at the mouth.
Lake Huron and Black River Island
The river meets the lake beside the island.
Negwegon State Park
About 8 miles of wild shoreline just north.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Black River. The Pine River near Oscoda is the closest live gage on the Sunrise Coast. For this trip, the Lake Huron forecast matters most.
How to read it
The river matters less than the lake here. Check wind direction and wave height on Lake Huron before every trip.
After heavy rain, the river mouth runs faster and carries debris.
Paddling Character
Lake Huron coast
Wild shoreline
Coves, limestone ledges, sandy beach and islands. Beautiful and exposed.
Michigan Water Trails
The Black River mouth is a stop on the Negwegon - Black River - Ossineke Blueway, a Lake Huron route in Michigan's water trail system. Negwegon State Park is also part of Michigan's quiet water trail network, with paddle-in camping.
These are open-water routes for experienced, well-equipped paddlers.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Alcona County
No dams on the lower river
We didn't find any dams on the paddling stretch.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Black River
Black River Park and state launch
Alcona Township park with a state boat launch at the mouth. Shallow water; fine for kayaks.
MapCamping
North of Black River
Negwegon State Park
Four primitive hike-in or paddle-in sites on Lake Huron. Reservations required through the DNR. Dark sky preserve.
Harrisville
Harrisville State Park
Lake Huron state park campground about 20 minutes south. A Recreation Passport is required.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
The wild Negwegon shoreline draws eagles, loons, herons and migrating songbirds. Deer and occasional black bear live in the forest behind the beach.
Fishing
Salmon, trout and walleye are caught off the Black River mouth, and the river has small stream fish.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Check the Lake Huron forecast before every trip.
- Stay near shore and watch for rocks near Black River Island.
- Share your plan; cell coverage is spotty.
Rules, passes and private land
- Negwegon campsites require reservations through the DNR.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Spray skirt and pump for Lake Huron
- VHF radio
Best Time & Access
Spring
Cold lake water. Experts only.
Summer
The best time for the coast on calm mornings.
Fall
Big Lake Huron storms. Choose days carefully.
Winter
Ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Black River is about four hours northeast. Take US-131 and US-10 to I-75, then M-72 east to Harrisville and US-23 north.
Trip Planning
Paddle-in camping
Paddle from Black River to Negwegon State Park for a night on the wild coast.
Short river paddle
Explore the lower river from the park on windy days.
Dark skies
Stay late. Negwegon is a dark sky preserve.
Check before you go
Look at the marine forecast and Negwegon reservations.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The Black River is easy, slow water, so it's rated Class I. The Lake Huron coast is open water that can be dangerous in wind.
Lower Black River
Short, slow and easy.
Lake Huron to Negwegon
Easy in calm weather. Experienced paddlers only in wind.
Quick Reference
| Source | Northern Harrisville Township |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Lake Huron at Black River |
| Length | About 15.5 miles |
| Tributaries | North Branch, Silver Creek, Haynes Creek |
| Launch | Black River Park state launch |
| Gage | None live |
| Water trail | Negwegon - Black River - Ossineke Blueway |
| Camping | Negwegon State Park paddle-in sites |
| Best season | June to September |
| Difficulty | Class I; Lake Huron open water |