Little Huron River Kayaking Guide

The Little Huron River is an 8.0-mile stream in Powell Township, Marquette County, in the central Upper Peninsula, draining the slopes of Mount Benison and the Superior highlands north into Lake Superior. Its source sits at about 46.87861, -87.96444 and its mouth at about 46.90611, -88.00167. Do not confuse it with the larger Huron River (sometimes called the Big Huron) to the west — they are separate watersheds.

There is a significant access caveat here: an older Marquette County planning document described the roughly 40-acre area at the river's mouth as privately owned. That makes the mouth — the natural take-out for any downstream float — a place you cannot assume is open to the public. No established paddling route, mileage, or public launch is documented for the Little Huron River, and the private-land question at the mouth is a real constraint on any trip plan.

With steep highland headwaters, a short 8-mile course, and uncertain access at the bottom end, this is a stream to admire from the shore unless you have confirmed legal access and firsthand knowledge of the water. Respect private property absolutely — the UP's shoreline streams cross private parcels frequently, and goodwill depends on paddlers staying legal.

Paddling the Little Huron River

No established route — and a private-land warning

No kayak itinerary is documented for the Little Huron River. The 8.0-mile course from the highlands (about 46.87861, -87.96444) to Lake Superior (about 46.90611, -88.00167) has no recorded put-ins, take-outs, or mileage. More importantly, county planning material has described the mouth area as privately owned, so any plan that ends at the lake needs confirmed legal access — not an assumption.

Not the Big Huron

Paddlers sometimes conflate this stream with the Huron River to the west, which has its own documented character and access questions. They are different rivers. Information, access points, and trip reports for the Huron do not apply to the Little Huron.

Hazards & Portages

A short, steep highland stream means fast water in runoff, strainers, and logjams, with no documented portages. At the mouth, Lake Superior's cold water and wave action take over. The legal hazard is as real as the physical ones: trespassing on private shoreline to launch or land can create lasting access problems for everyone.

Access & Parking

No public boat launch or confirmed river access is documented for the Little Huron River, and the mouth area has been reported as privately owned. Do not park, launch, or land at the mouth without confirmed permission. Check current DNR maps and Marquette County plats for any public access before considering this stream.

Map

Map shows the documented mouth reference point; the mouth area has been reported as privately owned and no public launch is confirmed.