US-2 to Nylund Road
Expert whitewater
Continuous rapids with few eddies, Peterson Falls and Interstate Falls. Experts only.
Upper Peninsula River Guide / Wisconsin-Michigan border to Lake Superior
Montreal River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
The border river between Wisconsin and Michigan, flowing north past Ironwood and Hurley to Lake Superior at Michigan's westernmost point. Its Ojibwe name means "where there is whitewater," and it lives up to it: big falls, a cliff-walled canyon and some of the best spring whitewater in the western UP.
RegionWestern Upper Peninsula, Gogebic Range
CountiesGogebic (MI); Iron (WI)
WatershedAbout 270 sq mi
Great Lake BasinLake Superior
River LengthAbout 47.8 miles
PaddleableThree whitewater and quickwater reaches
Best SeasonSpring snowmelt
MouthOronto Bay, Lake Superior
Before you launch: falls, dams and a canyon
- Big falls: Interstate Falls (Class V) and Peterson Falls (Class IV) are on the upper run. Saxon Falls and the 90-foot Superior Falls near the mouth are not runnable.
- Hydro dams: dams at Saxon Falls and Superior Falls control the lower river. Stay well clear of them.
- Montreal Canyon: once you're in the canyon, there's no easy way out, and cliffs make rescue very hard.
- Two states: the river is the border. Know both states' rules for access and fishing.
River History
The Ojibwe name for the river, Gaa-waasijiwaang, means "where there is whitewater." The river forms the border between Wisconsin and Michigan for most of its length, and it flows through the Gogebic Range, where iron mining built the twin towns of Ironwood, Michigan, and Hurley, Wisconsin.
Below the towns, the river drops over four named falls: Peterson, Interstate, Saxon and Superior. Hydroelectric dams now stand at Saxon Falls and above Superior Falls, near the mouth. Superior Falls, at 90 feet, is one of the most dramatic waterfalls on the Lake Superior shore.
River Map
River Overview
The Montreal River starts at Pine Lake in Iron County, Wisconsin, and flows about 47.8 miles north and northwest, mostly along the state line, past Hurley and Ironwood to Oronto Bay on Lake Superior. The West Fork joins below Hurley. American Whitewater lists three main paddling reaches.
Upper river
Flows north from Wisconsin toward Hurley and Ironwood.
US-2 to Nylund Road
Peterson Falls (IV) and Interstate Falls (V), with continuous rapids. 3.4 miles, Class II-IV(V).
Nylund Road to Saxon Falls Dam
Low-grade quickwater and flatwater. About 17 miles, Class I-II.
Saxon Falls Dam
Hydro dam. Not runnable.
Montreal Canyon
Below Saxon Falls to Hwy. 122, 3.1 miles of Class II-III in a cliff-walled canyon.
Superior Falls and the mouth
Hydro dam and 90-foot falls just above Lake Superior.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Montreal right now. The Saxon Falls gage stopped reporting in 2017. American Whitewater uses the Black River as an approximation, and the Black River near Bessemer is the closest live gage in Michigan.
How to read it
If the Black River near Bessemer is running high with spring melt, the Montreal is likely running too.
For the canyon, paddlers judge the level by the water at Saxon Falls: more water over the falls means a pushier run.
Paddling Character
Nylund Road to Saxon Falls Dam
Quickwater
Low-grade read-and-run rapids between flatwater, with strainers early on.
Montreal Canyon
Canyon whitewater
Continuous Class III with glassy waves under 200-foot cliffs. No easy exit.
Michigan Water Trails
The Montreal is not a designated Michigan Water Trail. American Whitewater lists its reaches and works on recreation flows and access at the hydro projects.
Check American Whitewater for current reach notes and access.
American WhitewaterDams & Portages
Saxon, Wisconsin
Saxon Falls Dam
Hydro dam at Saxon Falls. Take out above it. The canyon run starts below, at the powerhouse.
Near the mouth
Superior Falls dam
Hydro dam above the 90-foot Superior Falls. Not a paddling area.
Plan ahead
Canyon access
The canyon put-in is down a long metal staircase of about 138 steps behind a gate that is often locked. Check access before you go.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
US-2, state line
Welcome centers at US-2
Put-in for the upper whitewater run, at the Wisconsin or Michigan welcome center.
MapMiddle river
Nylund Road
Take-out for the upper run and put-in for the quickwater reach.
MapCanyon
Saxon Falls Powerhouse
Canyon put-in down a long staircase. Gate often locked.
MapCanyon take-out
Hwy. 122 causeway
Take-out on the reservoir causeway, marked on river left. Limited parking.
MapCamping
Ironwood area
Little Girls Point County Park
Gogebic County campground on Lake Superior near the river's mouth.
Porcupine Mountains
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Large state park about an hour east, with campgrounds and rustic cabins.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
The forests along the Montreal hold deer, black bear, wolves, eagles and ravens. The canyon's cliffs are a dramatic place to watch for peregrines and other raptors.
Fishing
The lower river below Superior Falls draws trout and salmon from Lake Superior. Check both states' rules.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear a PFD and helmet on the whitewater reaches.
- Scout or portage Peterson and Interstate falls.
- Commit to the canyon only with a strong group and solid rescue skills.
- Stay well away from both hydro dams.
Rules, passes and private land
- Wisconsin and Michigan rules both apply on the border river.
- Respect private property, including the house at Interstate Falls.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Whitewater boat, helmet and throw rope
- About 250 feet of rope to lower boats at the canyon put-in
Best Time & Access
Spring
The whitewater season, usually a month or more after snowmelt.
Summer
Usually too low for the whitewater reaches.
Fall
Runnable only after big rain.
Winter
Frozen. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Ironwood is about eight hours northwest. Take US-131 and I-75 to the Mackinac Bridge, then US-2 west across the UP to Ironwood.
Trip Planning
Canyon run
Montreal Canyon is the classic intermediate whitewater run, 3.1 miles from Saxon Falls to Hwy. 122.
Expert run
The upper reach from US-2 to Nylund Road is for experts only.
Waterfall tour
Visit Superior Falls from shore, and pair the trip with the Black River's waterfalls nearby.
Check before you go
Look at the Black River gage, American Whitewater notes and gate access.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater lists three reaches on the Montreal, from Class I-II quickwater to Class V falls.
US-2 to Nylund Road
Peterson Falls (IV) and Interstate Falls (V). Experts only.
Nylund Road to Saxon Falls Dam
Low-grade quickwater and flatwater.
Montreal Canyon
Continuous rapids in a committing canyon.
Quick Reference
| Source | Pine Lake, Iron County, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Oronto Bay, Lake Superior |
| Length | About 47.8 miles |
| Watershed | About 270 sq mi |
| Falls | Peterson, Interstate, Saxon, Superior |
| Dams | Saxon Falls and Superior Falls hydro |
| Gage | None live. Use the Black River near Bessemer (04031000) |
| Best season | Spring snowmelt |
| Difficulty | Class I-II to Class V by reach |