Detroit River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The Detroit River runs about 28 miles from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie and forms part of the border between Michigan and Ontario. Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Detroit on its banks in 1701. The river was a final crossing on the Underground Railroad, and in the early 1900s it was the busiest commercial waterway in the world, carrying about 67 million tons of cargo in 1907.

Industry left the river badly polluted, but restoration since the late 1900s has brought back wildlife. It is the only river in North America named both an American Heritage River (1998) and a Canadian Heritage River (2001), and much of the lower river is protected in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, created in 2001 as a joint U.S.–Canada effort.

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

Lake St. Clair, at about 574 feet above sea level.

Sections

Belle Isle: Island state park with sheltered lakes, canals and Blue Heron Lagoon, plus the open river around the outside.

Detroit riverfront to River Rouge: Urban and industrial shoreline with freighter traffic.

Downriver (Wyandotte to Lake Erie): Islands, marshes and refuge lands, including the Grosse Ile loops and the river's 31 charted islands.

Mouth

Lake Erie, near Pointe Mouillee.

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

Primary USGS Gage

Flow on the Detroit River barely changes. Wind against the current and large-ship wakes decide whether a day is safe.

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 Detroit River is open, powerful big water, but it also hides some of Southeast Michigan's best sheltered paddling. Belle Isle's inner lakes and canals are calm and shallow (about 3 feet), while the full island circuit of about 7 miles is for experienced paddlers in touring kayaks. Downriver, the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail offers island and marsh loops near Grosse Ile and the wildlife refuge.

Best Conditions

Calm summer mornings, with the marine forecast checked and a route that stays near shore.

Michigan Water Trails

Part of the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail, listed on michiganwatertrails.org with segments around Belle Isle (~7 mi), the lower Rouge River (~6 mi) and the lower Detroit River from Wyandotte's Bishop Park to Lake Erie (~10 mi), plus loops around Grosse Ile and Grassy Island.

Dams & Portages

No dams on the Detroit River.

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

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

Camping

No riverside camping

Wildlife & Fishing

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• Touring kayak with spray skirt for the open river
• Bilge pump
• Bright colors
• Marine radio or phone in a dry bag

River-Specific Concerns

Treat the open river like a Great Lake. Stay out of the shipping channel, cross at right angles only when needed, and expect big wakes from freighters and powerboats. Do not cross into Canadian waters without following border rules.

Best Time & Access

Best Time to Paddle

Access & Regulations

Trip Planning

What to Pack

• Everything in the Safety gear list, plus drinking water.
• Marine forecast and a planned shore-hugging route.

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, but big-water conditions make the open river suitable for experienced paddlers only.

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

Quick Reference

Sources & Current Information

• Wikipedia — Detroit River
• Michigan Water Trails — Detroit Heritage River Water Trail
• Belle Isle Paddling Guide
• Discover Downriver — Kayak launch locations
• Downriver Linked Greenways — Detroit Heritage River Water Trail

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.