Upcoming Events

Au Sable River Hiking & Kayaking Adventure

October 23–25, 2026 | Northern Michigan

🌲 Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure. 🛶

Join the West Michigan Kayaking Club from October 23–25, 2026, for an unforgettable three-day adventure on Michigan’s legendary Au Sable River.

This Northern Michigan expedition combines wilderness camping, hiking the scenic Mason Tract Pathway, and kayaking miles of beautiful, moving water.

This isn’t a casual float trip. It’s a full weekend of hiking, paddling, camping, and exploring some of the best outdoor scenery Northern Michigan has to offer.

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Friday, October 23: Establish Base Camp

We’ll meet Friday evening and establish base camp at Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground near Grayling, Michigan.

Set up camp, prepare your gear, and get ready for a weekend of adventure along one of Michigan’s most iconic rivers.

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Saturday, October 24: Mason Tract Hiking & Au Sable River Kayaking

Saturday begins with a boat drop at Chase Bridge before we shuttle back to the Mason Tract Pathway.

Participants will hike approximately 10 miles through the Mason Tract, following the Au Sable River through Northern Michigan wilderness.

After reaching our kayaks, we’ll launch and paddle downstream toward camp.

Expect:

• 🥾 Approximately 10 miles of hiking

• 🚣 Moving-water kayaking

• 🌲 Northern Michigan forests and wilderness

• 💧 Scenic Au Sable River views

• 🦌 Opportunities to see Michigan wildlife

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Sunday, October 25: Main Branch Au Sable River Paddle

Sunday brings another full day on the water as we paddle approximately 15 miles on the Main Branch Au Sable River.

With forest-lined riverbanks, clear water, steady current, and incredible scenery, this is the perfect way to finish an unforgettable weekend of Michigan adventure.

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Who Is This Adventure For?

This trip is designed for paddlers and outdoor adventurers who enjoy challenging days, long miles, hiking, camping, and exploring Michigan beyond the typical float trip.

Participants should be prepared to:

• 🥾 Hike approximately 10 miles

• 🚣 Paddle approximately 15 miles

• 🏕️ Camp and remain self-supported

• 💪 Handle extended days outdoors and changing weather conditions

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West Michigan Kayaking Club Safety Expectations

All West Michigan Kayaking Club events are 100% self-supported. Participants are responsible for their own safety, equipment, food, water, clothing, navigation, and emergency supplies.

🦺 Bring and wear the appropriate safety equipment, including a properly fitted PFD while kayaking.

🚫 No drugs or alcohol are permitted while participating in West Michigan Kayaking Club events. This is a zero-tolerance policy.

Please respect the river and other participants by keeping speakers off while paddling so everyone can enjoy the natural sounds of the wilderness.

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Join the Community Chat

Important trip updates, weather information, logistics, and last-minute changes will be posted in the West Michigan Kayaking Club Community Chat.

👉 Join the Community Chat:

Join the West Michigan Kayaking Club Community Chat⁠

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🌲 Stay Connected With West Michigan Kayaking Club

Explore upcoming kayaking expeditions, hiking adventures, camping trips, endurance paddles, and Michigan outdoor adventures.

🌐 Visit our website:

West Michigan Kayaking Club Official Website⁠

📘 Join our Facebook community:

West Michigan Kayaking Club Facebook Group⁠

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Explore Michigan. Go Farther.

The Au Sable River Hiking & Kayaking Adventure, October 23–25, 2026, is more than a weekend paddle.

It’s an opportunity to hike wild trails, paddle one of Michigan’s most legendary rivers, camp beneath Northern Michigan skies, and experience the outdoors the way adventure was meant to be experienced.

🌲 Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure. 🛶

West Michigan Kayaking Club | Michigan Adventure Paddling, Hiking & Wilderness Exploration

#WestMichiganKayakingClub #AuSableRiver #MasonTract #KayakMichigan #HikingMichigan #NorthernMichigan #MichiganAdventure

🌊 Upper Gauley River Whitewater

Rafting
September 24–27, 2026 | West Virginia

🌊  Upper Gauley River Whitewater Rafting

September 24–27, 2026 | West Virginia

🔥 The Pinnacle of Whitewater Rafting | West Michigan Kayaking Club

The  West Michigan Kayaking Club is heading to West Virginia for an epic four-day adventure on one of the most legendary whitewater rivers in the United States—the Upper Gauley River.

This isn’t a leisurely float. The Upper Gauley delivers powerful waves, technical rapids, steep drops, and relentless current during the annual Gauley Season releases.

With rapids ranging from Class III to Class V, this is a full-throttle whitewater experience built around teamwork, focus, and respect for the river.

🌲 Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.

🌊 GAULEY SEASON

Every fall, scheduled releases from Summersville Lake transform the Gauley River into one of the premier whitewater destinations in the country.

The Upper Gauley offers approximately 11 miles of intense commercially rafted whitewater, surrounded by spectacular Appalachian scenery.

Expect:

🌊 Huge waves
💥 Powerful rapids
🪨 Technical whitewater
🔥 Adrenaline-pumping drops
🤝 Teamwork and adventure
🏔️ Incredible Appalachian scenery

🏕️ GROUP CAMPING — ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE

September 24–27, 2026

The West Michigan Kayaking Club admins will be tent camping at Adventures on the Gorge.

Adventures on the Gorge⁠

Tent camping and cabins are available.

⛺ Group Site — Site C

There is no reservation number for the group site.

If you want to camp with our group, simply ask for Site C when making your reservation.

⚠️ You must call Adventures on the Gorge directly to make your reservation.

💰 Camping: $195 per site
⛺ Capacity: Up to 3 tents per site
💵 Three people sharing: Approximately $65 per tent

Cabins are also available directly through the resort.

Spaces are filling quickly, so make your camping reservation early.

🛶 UPPER GAULEY RAFTING

💰 Rafting: $215 per person

Your rafting experience includes:

🍽️ Hot riverside meal prepared by your raft guides
🔥 Bonfire after the meal
🌊 An unforgettable day on the Upper Gauley
🤝 An incredible experience with fellow adventurers

📅 TRIP SCHEDULE

THURSDAY — SEPTEMBER 24

🏕️ Arrive in West Virginia
⛺ Set up camp
🤝 Meet up with the group
🌲 Settle in for the weekend

FRIDAY — SEPTEMBER 25

🏕️ Camping and free time
🌄 Explore the area
🤝 Hang out with the group

SATURDAY — SEPTEMBER 26

🌊 UPPER GAULEY RAFTING DAY

🚨 Rafting begins at 9:30 AM.

DO NOT BE LATE.

The rafting bus will leave on schedule and will not wait for late arrivals.

Plan to be ready well before departure.

🍽️ Riverside meal
🔥 Post-trip bonfire
🌊 Big water. Big rapids. Big adventure.

SUNDAY — SEPTEMBER 27

☕ Morning at camp
🏕️ Break down camp
👋 Say goodbye to West Virginia
🚗 Begin the trip home

You do not have to stay all four nights. Come for as many nights as work with your schedule.

🍻 AFTER THE RAFT

The adventure doesn’t end when we get off the river.

Adventures on the Gorge offers restaurants, a pool, and places to relax after a long day of whitewater.

Our usual routine:

🚿 Clean up and shower
🍔 Grab some food
🍻 Enjoy a drink
📺 Relax and enjoy the evening
🤝 Hang out with fellow paddlers

It’s more than a rafting trip—it’s a full weekend of West Virginia adventure, whitewater, camping, and camaraderie.

🔥 THIS ISN’T JUST A RAFTING TRIP

The Upper Gauley is a bucket-list destination for whitewater enthusiasts.

From September 24–27, 2026, we’ll leave Michigan behind and head into the Appalachian Mountains for an unforgettable weekend on one of America’s most famous whitewater rivers.

Come ready for:

Big water. Big rapids. Big adventure.

🛶 WEST MICHIGAN KAYAKING CLUB

The West Michigan Kayaking Club is a community built around adventure paddling, wilderness exploration, hiking, camping, and challenging outdoor experiences.

We don’t just look for easy miles.

We go farther. We explore more. We seek out real adventure.

🌲 Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure. 🛶

🌐 Connect With Us

West Michigan Kayaking Club Website⁠

West Michigan Kayaking Club Facebook Group⁠

🚨 READY FOR THE UPPER GAULEY?

September 24–27, 2026

If you’re interested in joining us, contact Brad directly for trip information.

Don’t wait to make your camping and rafting reservations. Gauley Season is popular, and spaces can fill quickly.

🌊 Upper Gauley River. West Virginia. One unforgettable adventure.

West Michigan Kayaking Club

🌲 Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure. 🛶

#WestMichiganKayakingClub #UpperGauley #GauleyRiver #GauleySeason #WhitewaterRafting #WestVirginiaAdventure #Whitewater #MichiganAdventure #AppalachianAdventure