Little Misery River Kayaking Guide
The Little Misery River is a 7.0-mile stream in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula, joining the Misery River shortly before the larger stream reaches Lake Superior. The confluence sits at about 46.99722, -88.98111, with the Misery River's mouth at approximately 46.99944, -88.98083. The name is classic Keweenaw-area color — early travelers named the Misery for its swampy, difficult terrain, and the "Little" tributary inherits the landscape if not the legend.
No established paddling route, mileage, or public launch is documented for the Little Misery River. Seven miles of small tributary water ending at a larger river just above Lake Superior gives it the familiar profile of the region's minor streams: potentially floatable in spring runoff, unconfirmed at any other time, and entirely unscouted in the sources consulted.
As with its neighbors, the realistic paddling in this area is either on larger documented rivers or on Lake Superior itself for properly equipped sea kayakers. The Little Misery is a name on the map and a stream in the woods — not a planned kayak run.
Little Misery River at a Glance
- Region: Western Upper Peninsula — Ontonagon County
- Difficulty: Not a documented paddling route
- Character: 7.0-mile tributary joining the Misery River just above Lake Superior
- Known for: One of the Keweenaw region's colorfully named minor streams
- Watch for: No verified launch; swampy, remote terrain
Paddling the Little Misery River
No established route
No kayak itinerary is documented for the Little Misery River. The 7.0-mile stream meets the Misery River at approximately 46.99722, -88.98111, just upstream of the Misery's Lake Superior mouth (about 46.99944, -88.98083). The sources consulted record no put-ins, take-outs, or trip reports.
Scout before you commit
Any float here would be purely exploratory: check spring water levels, confirm land ownership at road crossings, and expect beaver activity and deadfalls in this low, wet terrain. This is not a destination paddle — it is a stream for local scouts with realistic expectations.
Hazards & Portages
Expect swampy-channel hazards: strainers, beaver dams, logjams, and water too shallow to float outside of runoff. There are no documented portages because there is no documented route. Biting insects are a serious seasonal factor in this terrain.
Access & Parking
No public boat launch or confirmed river access is documented for the Little Misery River. Verify ownership and legal access at any crossing using DNR maps and Ontonagon County plats before parking or launching.
Map
Map shows the documented confluence reference point; no public launch is confirmed there.
Paddle It With the Club
The West Michigan Kayaking Club paddles rivers like the Little Misery River all season long. Come float with us!