West Michigan Kayaking Club · River Guide
Crooked River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Lower Peninsula Paddle Guide
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
River History
The Crooked River links Crooked Lake to Burt Lake and forms the western end of the Inland Waterway, a historic route Native Americans and trappers used to cross northern Michigan faster than going around the Straits of Mackinac. The channel was later dredged for boats, and a lock and dam at Alanson now regulates the levels of Crooked and Pickerel lakes.
The lock is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leased to the Michigan DNR and operated by Emmet County Parks and Recreation. Below Alanson, the river winds through wetlands and the small riverside community of Devil's Elbow on its way to Burt Lake. The village of Alanson is also known for its tiny swing bridge over the river.
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
Crooked Lake, Littlefield Township, Emmet County, at the lock in Alanson.
Major Tributaries
- Several small streams near Alanson
Communities
- Alanson
- Oden (Crooked Lake, nearby)
- Devil's Elbow
Sections
Crooked Lake to the lock: Lake paddling to the lock at Alanson; the lock lowers boats about 18 inches.
Alanson to Devil's Elbow: Rural, wooded river, no more than about 30 yards wide, with a slight current.
Devil's Elbow to Burt Lake: Wetland-lined river into Burt Lake.
Mouth
Burt Lake, Burt Township, Cheboygan County.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
Primary USGS Gage
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
| Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Low | Rare; the dam holds levels. |
| Normal | Slight current; easy paddling. |
| High | Stronger current through Alanson. |
| Flood | The lock may close. |
Paddling Character
The Crooked River is an easy, rural paddle with no deadfalls, rapids or portages reported by recent paddlers. It is the most natural stretch of the Inland Waterway, but it is also a boating channel, so share it with powerboats and pontoons in summer.
Recommended Boats
- Recreational kayak
- Touring kayak
- Canoe
- SUP
Potential Hazards
- Powerboat traffic
- The lock
- Wind on Crooked and Burt lakes
Best Conditions
Weekday mornings in summer, when the lock is open and boat traffic is light.
Michigan Water Trails
Part of the Inland Waterway water trail, listed on michiganwatertrails.org as a 38.2-mile route from Crooked Lake to Lake Huron through the Crooked River, Burt Lake, Indian River, Mullett Lake and Cheboygan River.
Dams & Portages
Use the lock at Alanson.
| Structure | Type | Portage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crooked River Lock and dam | Corps of Engineers lock, operated by Emmet County | Lock through (cash fee) | Regulates Crooked and Pickerel lake levels; seasonal hours |
Never paddle near a dam face or spillway. Take out well upstream and confirm portage access before the trip.
Public Kayak & Canoe Launches
| Launch | Area | Type | Parking | Restrooms | Fee / Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Road | Crooked Lake | Lake access | Verify | Verify | Verify | About 3 miles of lake to the lock |
| Alanson | Below the lock | Village access | Verify | Verify | Verify | Start below the lock to skip the fee |
| Burt Lake State Park | South end of Burt Lake | State park | Lot | Yes | Recreation Passport | About 7 miles across Burt Lake from the river mouth |
Camping
Burt Lake State Park
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
- Great blue herons
- Bald eagles
- Loons (lakes)
- Mute swans
- Turtles
- Beavers
Fishing
- Northern pike
- Smallmouth bass
- Walleye
- Panfish
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
River-Specific Concerns
Stay to the edge and give boats room on this narrow river. Follow the lock tender's directions. Crooked and Burt lakes can get rough in wind.
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.
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 — Crooked River Lock schedule
- Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council — Crooked River
- Wikipedia — Crooked River (Michigan)
- Paddling.com — Paddling Michigan's Inland Waterway
- Michigan Water Trails — 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.
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Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.