Presque Isle River Kayaking Guide

The Presque Isle River is one of the western Upper Peninsula's great wild rivers — about 35 miles of free-flowing water running from the Gogebic County highlands to Lake Superior at the edge of the Porcupine Mountains. A federal wild-and-scenic study of the river found excellent canoeing and boating potential alongside high-quality water, and the river remains one of the least developed in the region, with little shoreline development outside the Marenisco area.

The study's key finding for paddlers is a clear split personality. The mainstem and East Branch carry high-quality trout water from U.S. Forest Service Road 322 to two miles above Marenisco, and the stream is described as canoeable — except for several miles below M-28, where numerous falls make portages necessary. Nine falls lie downstream from Marenisco, including the celebrated lower-river sequence of Nawadaha, Manido, and Manabezho Falls inside the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. With depths of one to eight feet and an average discharge around 172 cfs, this is a genuine river, not a creek — and below M-28 it is expert whitewater country, not a casual float.

Land ownership shapes trip planning: the U.S. Forest Service is the predominant owner on the upper stream to several miles below M-28, while private ownership predominates from there downstream to the Porcupine Mountains State Park boundary. Plan put-ins and take-outs around ownership, and treat the falls reach with full expedition seriousness.

Paddling the Presque Isle River

Upper river: USFS Road 322 to Marenisco

The upper mainstem and East Branch offer high-quality trout water and the river's most canoe-friendly paddling — forested, undeveloped, and publicly owned for much of its length. Expect a lively northwoods float with rocky sections; scout as you go and watch for strainers.

Marenisco to M-28: the transition

Around and below Marenisco the river's gradient picks up. Federal study notes describe the stream as canoeable through here, but this is where paddlers must start thinking like whitewater boaters: read the water constantly and know exactly where the falls begin.

Below M-28: falls and mandatory portages

Several miles below M-28 hold numerous falls — nine in total downstream from Marenisco — and the study is explicit that portages are necessary here. The lower falls, including Nawadaha, Manido, and Manabezho, are spectacular but unrunnable drops in a wilderness park setting. Only expert paddlers with full portage plans should attempt this reach, and most parties will be better served hiking the falls and paddling the upper river.

Hazards & Portages

Unrunnable waterfalls with mandatory portages below M-28; powerful whitewater between the drops; remote wilderness with no easy egress; cold water; and strainers in the upper river's forested reaches. Never approach a horizon line on this river without a scouted portage.

Access & Parking

Upper-river access centers on the Marenisco area and U.S. Forest Service roads such as FR 322; the lower falls are reached through Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which has trailheads and viewing areas for the falls. Confirm current access points, road conditions, and park regulations with the Ottawa National Forest and Michigan DNR before any trip.

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