Pine River (Chippewa County) Kayaking Guide

This is the eastern-UP Pine River — not to be confused with other Michigan rivers of the same name — flowing through Chippewa and Mackinac counties to St. Martin Bay on Lake Huron, with the mouth mapped near 46.05250, -84.65611. A monitoring and access reference sits at Mackinac Trail near Rudyard, but no route mileage or formal itinerary is documented.

The name confusion is worth addressing directly, because Michigan has several Pine Rivers and paddling beta for one does not transfer to another. This guide covers only the Chippewa/Mackinac county river ending at St. Martin Bay. If your beta mentions a different county, you have a different river.

The mouth at St. Martin Bay is the plausible paddling water: Lake Huron shoreline and bay paddling at the river's end. Upstream, the river is undocumented — no launches, no itinerary, no portage information. Paddle the bay; scout or skip the rest.

Paddling the Pine River (Chippewa County)

The mouth at St. Martin Bay

The river meets Lake Huron at St. Martin Bay (about 46.05250, -84.65611). This is the conservative paddling option: bay and shoreline water with Lake Huron conditions to respect. Verify public shoreline access locally before going.

Upstream (undocumented)

Above the bay, the Pine runs through Chippewa and Mackinac counties with the Mackinac Trail crossing near Rudyard as its main reference — a monitoring and access reference, not a confirmed launch. No route mileage or itinerary is documented for any of it.

Hazards & Portages

Undocumented upstream obstructions should be assumed: strainers, beaver dams, shallow stretches. At the bay, Lake Huron brings wind, waves, and cold water — check the marine forecast. And double-check you have the right Pine River before trusting any beta from another source.

Access & Parking

None formally documented. The Mackinac Trail crossing near Rudyard is a monitoring and access reference, not a confirmed launch. Verify legal shoreline access at St. Martin Bay locally before visiting.

Map

The marker below is an approximate reference point at the mouth of the Chippewa County Pine River — not a verified launch site.