Cheboygan River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The Cheboygan River runs about seven miles from Mullett Lake to Lake Huron and is the final link in the Inland Waterway, a 38-mile chain of rivers and lakes that nearly connects Lake Huron to Little Traverse Bay. Native Americans and fur trappers used the route to cross northern Michigan without rounding the Straits of Mackinac.

Cheboygan grew as a logging town, with timber from the watershed was driven down to sawmills at the river mouth. Today the river runs past the 1940 Cheboygan Bascule Bridge, the Bois Blanc Island ferry dock and the home berth of the Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw, and ends at the 1884 Cheboygan Crib Light. The Black River, its largest tributary, joins about 3.5 miles south of town.

Interactive River Map

Pinch or use the + / – buttons to zoom.

Use the launch table below for exact access points, and confirm them before a club trip.

River Overview

Headwaters

Mullett Lake, about 594 feet above sea level.

Sections

Mullett Lake outlet to the Black River: Wooded river with homes along the banks; slight current.

Black River confluence to the dam: Wider river; the DNR access below the dam starts the Blueway route to the confluence (~2.5 mi).

Lock to Lake Huron: Urban river through downtown Cheboygan, under the bascule bridge, to the Crib Light.

Mouth

Lake Huron at Cheboygan, marked by the Cheboygan Crib Light.

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

Primary USGS Gage

River level here is controlled by the Cheboygan Dam. After the spring 2026 flood emergency, watch DNR closure notices more than gage numbers.

USGS Interactive Map

Explore every USGS stream gage on and near the river. Tap a site for live flow and gage height.

Water-Level Considerations

Paddling Character

The Cheboygan is a wide, navigable river with a slight current, more developed than the Crooked River at the other end of the Inland Waterway. Paddlers lock through with powerboats, then finish past downtown and the Coast Guard cutter to the Lake Huron shore.

Paddling upstream from the mouth means working against the current.

Best Conditions

Calm weekday mornings in summer, when the lock is open and boat traffic is light.

Michigan Water Trails

Part of the Inland Waterway and the Cheboygan Area Blueway. The Inland Waterway is listed on michiganwatertrails.org as a 38.2-mile route from Lake Huron to Crooked Lake. The Blueway includes Cheboygan River routes of about 3 miles and 2.5 miles plus Duncan Bay and the Lake Huron shore.

Dams & Portages

Use the lock or take out. Never approach the Cheboygan Dam.

Never paddle near a dam face or spillway. Take out well upstream and confirm portage access before the trip.

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

Camping

Aloha State Park

Cheboygan State Park

Wildlife & Fishing

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• Bright colors for boat traffic
• Cash for the lock fee
• Marine radio or phone in a dry bag

River-Specific Concerns

Stay to the side of the channel and give powerboats room, especially near the lock. Follow the lock tender's instructions and hold your position against the wall. Mullett Lake and Lake Huron can build big waves fast.

Best Time & Access

Best Time to Paddle

Access & Regulations

Trip Planning

What to Pack

• Everything in the Safety gear list, plus drinking water.
• Cash for the lock.
• A wind forecast for Mullett Lake and Lake Huron.

Leave No Trace: pack out everything you bring. Clean, Drain, Dry all boats and gear between rivers to stop invasive species.

River Difficulty

Class I

Not listed by American Whitewater. Flatwater with a slight current.

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

Quick Reference

Sources & Current Information

• Michigan DNR — Cheboygan River Lock schedule
• Michigan DNR — DNR reopens the Cheboygan Lock (June 2026)
• Wikipedia — Cheboygan River
• Michigan Water Trails — Cheboygan Area Blueway
• Michigan Water Trails — Inland Waterway
• Paddling.com — Paddling Michigan's Inland Waterway

Last updated: October 2026. Water levels, hazards, launches, camping rules and closures change. Verify current USGS flow, weather, river conditions, access and regulations immediately before launching.