Flint River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The river's name comes from an Ojibwe term meaning "flinty river." A reservation called Pewonigowink once stood near Genesee. Flint grew into an auto-manufacturing capital, and former General Motors plants, including Chevrolet's first assembly plant, still line the riverbanks. Decades of industrial pollution followed, but Clean Water Act cleanups have greatly improved conditions since the 1950s and 1960s.

In 2014 the city switched its drinking water to the Flint River, and the corrosive water caused the Flint water crisis before the city returned to Detroit water in 2015. The river itself has become a recovery story: it was among Michigan's first eight state-designated water trails in 2018, became the Flint River National Water Trail in 2020, and the Hamilton and Fabri dam remnants downtown were replaced by six riffles as part of the new Flint State Park, reopening 25 miles of waterways to fish.

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

The junction of the North and South branches near Columbiaville, Lapeer County.

Sections

Lapeer County headwaters: Small upper river to the Holloway Reservoir.

Holloway Reservoir to Mott Lake: Reservoirs and dams above Flint.

Downtown Flint: New riffles where the Hamilton Dam stood, through Riverbank Park and Flint State Park.

Flint to Flushing and Montrose: The river turns north through farm country toward the Shiawassee.

Mouth

The Shiawassee River, in the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge near Saginaw.

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

Paddling Character

The Flint River mixes quiet country stretches, reservoirs and a changing urban core. The 72-mile national water trail has 25 access sites, so trips of almost any length are possible. Downtown, the new riffles where the Hamilton Dam stood create fun moving water, but scout them first.

Best Conditions

Normal summer flow; check DNR construction notices for downtown.

Michigan Water Trails

Flint River National Water Trail (National Park Service, November 2020), also one of Michigan's first eight state-designated water trails (2018). About 72 miles with 25 access sites, coordinated by the Flint River Watershed Coalition, Genesee County Parks and the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Dams & Portages

Portage every dam. The Hamilton and Fabri dam remnants downtown have been removed and replaced by six riffles.

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

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

The full water trail has 25 access sites. Download the Flint River Water Trail guide and map from the Flint River Watershed Coalition.

Camping

Area campgrounds

Wildlife & Fishing

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• Folding saw (trip leaders)
• Throw rope for the riffles

River-Specific Concerns

Scout the downtown riffles before running them, especially at higher flows. Portage the remaining dams. Below Flint, logjams can block the river after storms.

Best Time & Access

Best Time to Paddle

Access & Regulations

Trip Planning

What to Pack

• Everything in the Safety gear list, plus drinking water.
• The Flint River Water Trail guide and map.

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. Easy moving water with constructed riffles downtown.

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

Quick Reference

Sources & Current Information

• Flint River Watershed Coalition — Flint River Water Trail
• Michigan DNR — Flint State Park development
• UM-Flint — Flint River Restoration Project
• Wikipedia — Flint River (Michigan)
• USGS 04149000 — Flint River near Fosters

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.