Lower Peninsula River Guide  /  Lake Charlevoix to Lake Michigan at Charlevoix

Pine River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.

The short channel that connects Lake Charlevoix to Round Lake and Lake Michigan, right through downtown Charlevoix. It's busy, beautiful and very different from a wild river: drawbridge, harbor, lighthouse and big-lake views in a few miles of paddling. Not to be confused with the other Pine Rivers in our guide.

RegionNorthwest Lower Peninsula
CountiesCharlevoix
WatershedLake Charlevoix
Great Lake BasinLake Michigan
River LengthA short channel through Charlevoix
PaddleableAll of it, with heavy boat traffic
Best SeasonJune to September, early mornings
MouthLake Michigan at the Charlevoix south pier

Before you launch: a busy navigation channel

  • Heavy boat traffic: this is the only water route between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. Commercial, industrial and pleasure boats all use it.
  • Drawbridge: the Memorial Drawbridge opens for tall boats. Keep clear of boats lining up for the bridge.
  • Current and wind: the channel's current and wind in the narrow sections take careful steering.
  • Lake Michigan: waves at the pierheads can be big. Go out only in calm conditions.

River History

The town of Charlevoix was first named Pine River when John S. Dixon platted it in 1866. Lake Charlevoix was called Pine Lake until 1926. Before 1869, Pine Lake sat two feet above Round Lake, which sat two feet above Lake Michigan, and the short Pine River connected them. In 1869 the channel was dredged, and the Army Corps of Engineers widened and deepened it over the next 15 years.

Round Lake became one of the best natural harbors on Lake Michigan, and Charlevoix grew into a shipping town and summer resort. The Memorial Drawbridge, delayed by World War II, opened in 1947, and the Coast Guard's Station Charlevoix sits at the Lake Charlevoix end of the channel.

River Map

Open the full map in Google Maps

River Overview

The Pine River runs from Lake Charlevoix into Round Lake in downtown Charlevoix, and a channel continues from Round Lake past the south pier light to Lake Michigan. Together they're the only water route between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, East Jordan and Boyne City.

  1. Lake Charlevoix

    Large inland lake. Coast Guard Station Charlevoix sits at the channel entrance.

  2. Pine River channel

    Short channel into downtown Charlevoix.

  3. Round Lake

    Small, sheltered harbor lined with marinas and parks.

  4. Memorial Drawbridge

    US-31 drawbridge over the channel.

  5. South pier and Lake Michigan

    The channel ends between the piers at Lake Michigan.

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

There's no USGS gage on this channel. Its water level follows Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, so the marine forecast and wind are what to check.

How to read it

Current in the channel can run either way depending on wind and lake levels.

Check the nearshore marine forecast for wave height on Lake Michigan before heading past the piers.

NWS Gaylord marine forecastsLake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix area

Paddling Character

Round Lake

Sheltered harbor

Calm water ringed by marinas and parks. Easy paddle outside of boat rush hours.

ShelteredBoat traffic
The channel

Busy waterway

Narrow water with boats, the drawbridge and current. Stay to the edge.

Boat trafficCurrent
Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix

Big lakes

Open water at both ends. Calm days only.

Open waterWind

Michigan Water Trails

The Pine River channel is not a designated water trail on its own, but Charlevoix is on the Lake Michigan Water Trail's northwest routes, including the Crooked Tree and Little Traverse Bay trails.

Those routes are open-water trips for experienced paddlers.

Michigan Water Trails

Dams & Portages

Charlevoix

No dams

There are no dams. The drawbridge is the main man-made feature. Stay clear while it's opening.

Launches

Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.

Charlevoix

City harbor on Round Lake

Public access in the city harbor area on Round Lake.

Map
Charlevoix

Lake Charlevoix public access

Public access on Lake Charlevoix near the channel.

Map

Camping

Charlevoix area

Fisherman's Island State Park

Rustic state park campground on Lake Michigan just south of Charlevoix. A Recreation Passport is required.

Downtown

No camping on the channel

The channel runs through town. Use nearby parks and campgrounds.

Wildlife & Fishing

Wildlife

Gulls, terns, cormorants and ducks use the harbor and channel. Loons and mergansers are common on Lake Charlevoix in spring and fall.

Fishing

Anglers fish the channel and piers for salmon, trout, perch and bass. Give them room.

Safety

Safety essentials
  • Wear your PFD the whole time.
  • Stay to the edge of the channel and out of boats' way.
  • Keep clear of the drawbridge while it's opening.
  • Go past the piers only in calm conditions.
Rules, passes and private land
  • Follow harbor rules and any posted no-wake or no-paddling zones.
  • 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
  • Bright clothing and a whistle
  • Marine forecast checked before launch

Best Time & Access

Spring

Cold water and quieter harbor.

Summer

The busiest season. Paddle early in the morning.

Fall

Fewer boats and good color.

Winter

Ice. Not recommended.

From Grand Rapids, Charlevoix is about three hours north. Take US-131 north to Petoskey area roads or M-66, then US-31 to Charlevoix.

Trip Planning

Harbor tour

Paddle around Round Lake and through the channel early on a calm morning.

Lighthouse view

Paddle to the south pier light, staying inside the piers in any wind.

Rentals

Charlevoix outfitters rent kayaks and canoes.

Check before you go

Look at the marine forecast and any harbor events.

River Difficulty

We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The channel is easy flatwater, so it's rated Class I. Boat traffic, the drawbridge and Lake Michigan waves are the real challenges.

Class I

Round Lake and the channel

Easy water. Experience with boat traffic recommended.

Class I + open water

Lake Michigan past the piers

Calm days only.

Quick Reference

SourceLake Charlevoix
MouthLake Michigan at the Charlevoix south pier
HarborRound Lake
Dredged1869
DrawbridgeMemorial Drawbridge, opened 1947
Main townCharlevoix
GageNone; check marine forecasts
Best seasonJune to September, early mornings
DifficultyClass I

Sources

Conditions change. Always check current water levels, hazards and access before you launch, and confirm details with the DNR, county parks and local land managers.

Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.