Upcoming Events | West Michigan Kayaking Club
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
Join us for an exciting season of paddling, hiking, backpacking, camping, and outdoor adventure across Michigan. Whether you’re looking for a challenging river expedition, an endurance training paddle, or a weekend wilderness getaway, there’s an adventure waiting for you.
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🛶 Muskegon River Adventure #9
August 9
Location: Houghton Lake to White Birch Campground
Continue our epic journey down Michigan’s longest river as we paddle through beautiful forests, quiet backwaters, and remote stretches of the Muskegon River.
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
🛶 Shiawassee River Adventure
August 15
Explore one of Michigan’s hidden gems as we paddle the scenic Shiawassee River through wetlands, wildlife habitat, and peaceful river corridors.
Difficulty: Intermediate
🥾🚣 Fife Lake North Country Trail & Boardman River Adventure
August 28–30
Experience one of Northern Michigan’s premier wilderness adventures.
This three-day expedition combines backpacking the Fife Lake Loop of the North Country Trail with kayaking the crystal-clear Boardman River.
Highlights include:
- Backpacking the North Country Trail
- Primitive camping
- Boardman River paddle
- Incredible Northern Michigan scenery
Difficulty: Advanced
🎵 Wheatland Music Festival
September 11–13
Camp with fellow club members and enjoy one of Michigan’s most beloved music festivals featuring folk, bluegrass, roots, and traditional music.
🚣 Paddle Antrim Festival
September 18–20
Join the club as we participate in one of Michigan’s premier paddling festivals featuring guided paddles, educational programs, and opportunities to explore the beautiful Chain of Lakes Water Trail.
🏆 Triple Crown Hike Challenge
October 2–4
Three days.
Three legendary trails.
One unforgettable challenge.
Complete all three hikes to earn the title of Triple Crown Finisher.
Featured hikes include:
- North Country Trail
- Manistee River Trail
- Jordan River Pathway
Expect rugged terrain, breathtaking overlooks, suspension bridges, and unforgettable fall colors.
Difficulty: Challenging
🚣🥾 AuSable River Kayak & Hiking Adventure
October 23–25
Spend a weekend exploring one of Michigan’s most iconic rivers.
This annual expedition combines hiking scenic forest trails with paddling the famous AuSable River during peak fall color season.
Highlights include:
- Crystal-clear water
- Forest camping
- Scenic hiking
- Wildlife viewing
- Autumn colors
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
2027 Season
🚣 Active Paddle Series
March–April 2027
Train with fellow paddlers every Sunday as we prepare for the Hugh Heward Challenge and other endurance paddling events.
These medium- to fast-paced paddles focus on:
- Building endurance
- Improving paddling efficiency
- Increasing speed
- River reading skills
- Group paddling techniques
Perfect for paddlers looking to take their skills to the next level.
🚣 Lower Rogue River Adventure
May 14, 2027
A fun evening paddle featuring beautiful scenery and an excellent opportunity for newer members to join the club.
🏕️ Second Annual Manistee River Hike & Kayak Adventure
May 21–23, 2027
One of our signature annual adventures returns!
Experience backpacking the legendary Manistee River Trail before paddling the beautiful Manistee River through Northern Michigan.
🚣 Upper Platte River Adventure
May 30, 2027
Paddle one of Northern Michigan’s most scenic rivers known for crystal-clear water, wildlife, and outstanding natural beauty.
🌊 Chain of Lakes Adventure
June 25, 2027
Explore Michigan’s famous Chain of Lakes on a full-day expedition through interconnected lakes and rivers featuring turquoise water and spectacular scenery.
🚣🥾 Second Annual Jordan River Hike & Kayak Adventure
June 26–27, 2027
One of the club’s most popular annual events returns after an incredibly successful inaugural adventure.
Hike the legendary Jordan River Pathway before kayaking one of Michigan’s most beautiful rivers.
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Why Paddle With Us?
At the West Michigan Kayaking Club, we believe adventure should be accessible, challenging, and unforgettable. Our volunteer-led club offers active paddling trips, backpacking adventures, camping weekends, and endurance challenges designed for people who love exploring Michigan’s wild places.
WILD RIVERS.RUGGED TRAILS REAL ADVENTURE