Little Two Hearted River Kayaking Guide
The Little Two Hearted River is a 23.9-mile stream entirely within Luce County in the eastern Upper Peninsula, running from the Little Two Hearted Lakes (about 46.58000, -85.39222) north to Lake Superior (about 46.71194, -85.37667). It is the smaller eastern neighbor of the famous Two Hearted River — the Hemingway-associated stream whose mouth at Lake Superior draws paddlers, anglers, and sightseers. The "Little" in the name is doing honest work: this is a separate, smaller, and essentially undocumented water.
That fame gap matters. The main Two Hearted has documented access at its mouth, nearby campgrounds, and a paddling reputation. None of that transfers to the Little Two Hearted. The sources consulted contain no established paddling itinerary, segment mileage, or confirmed river launch for the Little Two Hearted itself. A private-property listing and information about Little Lake Harbor near the area are not sufficient to call either one river access — and this guide does not do so.
County Road 412 crosses the river and offers a scouting reference, and associated waterbodies — Culhane Lake, Little Pike Lake, Pike Lake — mark it as lake-district stream country. But until someone documents a float, the Little Two Hearted is a name on the map with a famous neighbor, not a kayak route.
Little Two Hearted River at a Glance
- Region: Eastern Upper Peninsula — Luce County
- Difficulty: Not a documented paddling route
- Character: 23.9-mile stream, Little Two Hearted Lakes to Lake Superior
- Known for: Being the small, undocumented neighbor of the famous Two Hearted River
- Watch for: The main river's access and reputation do not apply here; no verified launch
Paddling the Little Two Hearted River
No established route
No kayak itinerary is documented for the Little Two Hearted River. The 23.9-mile course from the Little Two Hearted Lakes (about 46.58000, -85.39222) to Lake Superior (about 46.71194, -85.37667) has no recorded put-ins, take-outs, or mileage splits. The County Road 412 crossing is a scouting reference, not a launch.
Paddle the famous neighbor instead
Paddlers drawn by the name should head for the main Two Hearted River, whose mouth area at Lake Superior offers the documented access, scenery, and paddling that made the name famous. Visit the Little Two Hearted with a map and curiosity — and realistic expectations.
Hazards & Portages
Expect the standard unscouted-stream hazards: strainers, logjams, beaver dams, and shallow stretches, with no documented portages because there is no documented route. At the Lake Superior mouth, open-lake conditions — cold water, waves, sudden weather — are the serious hazard. Private land in the area means scouting must stay legal.
Access & Parking
No public boat launch or confirmed river access is documented for the Little Two Hearted River. The County Road 412 crossing and nearby lakes are references, not launches. The main Two Hearted River's mouth access serves the main river only. Verify ownership with DNR maps and Luce County plats before approaching this stream.
Map
Map shows the documented mouth reference point; no public launch is confirmed there.
Paddle It With the Club
The West Michigan Kayaking Club paddles rivers like the Little Two Hearted River all season long. Come float with us!