Black River Kayaking Guide
This Black River is an 11.0-mile river in Mackinac County that flows into Lake Michigan about 5 miles east of Naubinway. Its main branch rises in a marshy area of eastern Garfield Township near Cranberry Lake Bog; the East Branch rises in Hudson Township and joins the main course just upstream of the mouth. The entire basin lies within Mackinac County, much of it in the Lake Superior State Forest.
Michigan has several rivers called Black River — this is the Mackinac County one, not the famous waterfall river of Gogebic County.
No paddling route, access point, mileage, or difficulty rating is documented for this river. It is a quiet state-forest stream on the Lake Michigan shore with no published put-ins or take-outs.
Black River at a Glance
- Region: Eastern Upper Peninsula — Mackinac County, to Lake Michigan near Naubinway
- Difficulty: Not documented as a paddling route
- Character: 11-mile state-forest stream through marshy headwaters
- Access: No public paddling access documented
- Watch for: Not the Gogebic County Black River — this is a different river entirely
Paddling the Black River
No established paddling route documented
No put-in, take-out, mileage, or difficulty rating is published for the Mackinac County Black River. It drains marshy headwaters through state forest to Lake Michigan, but no launch is documented and no paddling character is described. Any exploration would be fully exploratory: check Michigan DNR waterway maps and county atlases, confirm land ownership at any crossing, and do not count on finding runnable water or a place to launch.
Hazards & Portages
With no documented route, hazards cannot be catalogued. Expect the default small-river complications — beaver dams, strainers, and marshy banks — and note that the Lake Michigan shoreline at the mouth is exposed big water. Verify before you go.
Access & Parking
No DNR or public boat launch is documented on this Black River. Much of the basin is Lake Superior State Forest, so informal road crossings may offer access points — confirm land status first and respect posted private property.
Map
Approximate reference point at the Black River's mouth on Lake Michigan — no paddling access is documented.
Paddle It With the Club
The West Michigan Kayaking Club paddles Michigan's waterways all season long. Come float with us!