Ford River Kayaking Guide

The Ford River flows generally south and southeast through Delta County to Little Bay de Noc on Lake Michigan, draining a large watershed that reaches into the county's forested interior. Its headwaters gather tributaries — including Finland's Creek and Five Mile Creek — in the northern part of the basin before the river bends toward the bay at Escanaba's doorstep.

The Ford is one of the few rivers in this guide group with genuinely documented paddling. Local tourism material describes launching at the US-2/US-41 overpass and paddling downstream toward the mouth, and the Ford River Mouth launch — operated by Wells State Park — offers a hard-surfaced ramp, courtesy pier, restrooms, and parking for 52 vehicles. The lower river and mouth carry a slow-no-wake rule, which tells you something useful about its character: this is relaxed, flatwater paddling rather than whitewater. Note that one tourism page leaves its route-mileage field unfinished, so no official river mileage is quoted here.

Paddling the Ford River

US-2/US-41 overpass toward the mouth

Local paddling write-ups describe putting in at the US-2/US-41 overpass and floating the lower Ford River down toward Little Bay de Noc. This is the river's documented paddling reach: slow-moving water winding through lowland forest to the bay. No official mileage is published for the run, so plan conservatively, allow a full half day, and arrange a shuttle — or paddle upstream from the mouth launch and return to your car. Water levels are generally dependable near the mouth, but the upper river can get bony in dry spells.

Ford River Mouth and Little Bay de Noc

The Ford River Mouth launch, run by Wells State Park, puts you right at the river's meeting with Little Bay de Noc, with a hard-surfaced ramp, courtesy pier, restrooms, and room for 52 vehicles. From here you can poke up into the slow lower river or venture onto the bay itself when conditions allow. The slow-no-wake rule keeps the mouth calm, but the bay beyond it is big, open water — check the marine forecast, stay near shore unless you are equipped for open-water paddling, and remember that Lake Michigan's water stays cold well into summer.

Hazards & Portages

No rapids or portages are published for the paddled reach, but standard lowland-river caution applies: sweepers and strainers along the banks, especially after storms; bridge pilings at the US-2/US-41 overpass; and the occasional motorboat sharing the slow-no-wake zone. Near the mouth, wind on Little Bay de Noc can build chop fast and push a paddler offshore — treat the bay with the respect you'd give any Great Lake. Cold-water immersion gear is wise in spring and fall.

Access & Parking

Two documented access points serve paddlers. The US-2/US-41 overpass launch is the upstream put-in described in local paddling material, and the Ford River Mouth launch — operated by Wells State Park — offers the most developed facilities: hard-surfaced ramp, courtesy pier, restrooms, and 52 parking spaces. The map below marks the mouth area. Confirm current conditions and any fees with Wells State Park or Michigan DNR before your trip.

Map