Laughing Whitefish River Kayaking Guide

The Laughing Whitefish River flows through Alger County in the central Upper Peninsula, and it is best understood as two separate pieces of water divided by a waterfall rather than as one kayakable river. Near the middle of its course the river pours over Laughing Whitefish Falls — a roughly 100-foot, fan-shaped cascade protected by Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park at about 46.38389, -87.06861. That waterfall is an absolute barrier: no one paddles through it, and it splits any discussion of the river into the reach above the falls and the reach below them.

Below the falls, the river continues north toward Lake Superior. The one piece of confirmed public water access on the river is the Michigan DNR's Laughing Whitefish River Mouth/Hammer Boat Launch at 46.52128, -87.02789 — a gravel ramp with six parking spaces near where the river empties into the big lake. That launch is designed for small trailered boats, and while a kayaker could physically put in there, the mouth of a Lake Superior tributary is exposed to open-lake conditions and should only be attempted in calm weather with full cold-water gear.

No established paddling route, mileage, or put-in/take-out itinerary is documented for the Laughing Whitefish River itself. Above the falls, the river is a small, remote trout stream with no verified public launches in the sources consulted; below the falls, it is a short, fast descent to the lake shore. Treat this as a scouting stream: study DNR maps, confirm land ownership around any bridge crossing or put-in, and check water levels before committing to a plan.

Paddling the Laughing Whitefish River

No established route — understand the falls first

There is no documented kayak itinerary on the Laughing Whitefish River, and the falls are the reason. Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park protects the cascade, and the portage around a 100-foot waterfall in this terrain is not a casual carry — for practical purposes, the upper and lower river are two different streams. Anyone considering the water below the falls is paddling a short, steep reach that drops quickly to Lake Superior, which demands solid moving-water skills and a respectful eye on the lake's conditions.

The mouth launch as a Lake Superior put-in

The DNR's Laughing Whitefish River Mouth/Hammer Boat Launch (46.52128, -87.02789) offers a gravel ramp and six parking spaces near the river's mouth. This is a legitimate public launch, but it opens onto Lake Superior rather than sheltered river water. Paddling here means paddling the big lake: check marine forecasts, stay within your skill level, wear a wetsuit or drysuit in cold water, and paddle with a partner. The river itself is not the attraction here — the shoreline and the lake are.

Hazards & Portages

Laughing Whitefish Falls is the defining hazard — it cannot be run, and the terrain around it is not suited to an easy carry. Below the falls, expect swift, cold water with limited eddies. At the mouth, Lake Superior's waves, fog, and frigid temperatures are the real concern, even on days that look calm from shore. Elsewhere on the river, assume the usual small-stream hazards: strainers, logjams, and beaver dams that can appear without warning. Much of the surrounding land is a mix of public and private ownership, so scout access points legally and carefully.

Access & Parking

The only confirmed public access is the DNR Laughing Whitefish River Mouth/Hammer Boat Launch at 46.52128, -87.02789, with a gravel ramp and six parking spaces. Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park provides hiking access to the falls but is not a paddling put-in. No other public launches on the river itself are documented in the sources consulted — verify any bridge-crossing put-in against DNR maps and county plats before you go.

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