Upper river
Small and remote
A small, wooded stream with deadfall. Mostly too small to paddle.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Presque Isle County to Black Lake
Rainy River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A small northern river that runs from Rainy Lake to Black Lake, passing the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula along the way. Very little paddling information has been published, so this is a river for explorers, best paired with a stay on Black Lake.
RegionNortheast Lower Peninsula
CountiesPresque Isle
WatershedBlack Lake, then the Black and Cheboygan rivers
Great Lake BasinLake Huron
River LengthAbout 22.5 miles
PaddleableLower river near Black Lake; scout first
Best SeasonLate May to September
MouthBlack Lake
Before you launch: private falls and remote water
- Rainy River Falls is closed: the falls are on private property and closed to the public after vandalism. Don't paddle to or trespass at the falls.
- Little published information: we couldn't confirm public launches on the river itself. Scout from public crossings and from Black Lake.
- Black Lake wind: Black Lake is big and can build waves fast. Stay near shore.
- Remote country: cell coverage is spotty. Share your plan before you go.
River History
The Rainy River runs through the cutover pine and hardwood country of Presque Isle County, which was logged heavily in the late 1800s. The town of Onaway grew up nearby as a lumber and woodworking center, and Black Lake, where the river ends, has been a summer destination since the early 1900s.
Black Lake is famous for its lake sturgeon, one of the most carefully managed sturgeon populations in Michigan. The state's short winter sturgeon season on the lake draws crowds every February. On the shore, Onaway State Park was dedicated in 1921, and much of it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It's now on the National Register of Historic Places.
River Map
River Overview
The Rainy River flows about 22.5 miles from Rainy Lake northwest to Black Lake in Presque Isle County. From Black Lake, the water continues down the Black River and the Cheboygan River to Lake Huron. Along the way the river drops over Rainy River Falls, the largest waterfall in the Lower Peninsula, which is on private land and closed to visitors.
Rainy Lake
The river's source in Presque Isle County.
Upper river
Small, wooded and remote. Mostly too small to paddle.
Rainy River Falls
The Lower Peninsula's largest waterfall. Private property, closed to the public.
Lower river
Slower water as the river nears Black Lake. Scout before paddling.
Black Lake
One of Michigan's largest inland lakes, with Onaway State Park on its southeast shore.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Rainy River. The Pigeon River near Vanderbilt, in the same Black Lake and Cheboygan River system, is the closest live gage and a rough guide to whether northern rivers are running high or low.
How to read it
If the Pigeon River is well above its normal flow, northern streams are high and may be carrying debris. If it's low, small rivers like the Rainy will be shallow.
Look at the Rainy River from a public crossing before you launch.
Paddling Character
Lower river
Short and slow
Slower water near Black Lake. Explore upstream from the lake and turn back when it gets too tight.
Black Lake
Big inland lake
Open water that can get rough in wind. Great for shoreline paddling from Onaway State Park.
Michigan Water Trails
The Rainy River is not a designated Michigan Water Trail. Nearby, the Inland Waterway water trail and the Cheboygan Area Blueway cover the bigger waters of the Cheboygan River system.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Presque Isle County
No dams that we could find
We didn't find any dams on the Rainy River. The falls are a natural drop on private land. Never paddle toward them.
Launches
We couldn't confirm any public launches on the Rainy River itself. Black Lake is the most reliable way onto the water. Confirm access before you go.
Black Lake
Onaway State Park boat launch
State park launch on the southeast shore of Black Lake, about five miles north of Onaway on M-211. A Recreation Passport is required.
MapLower river
Public road crossings
Look at the river from public crossings near Black Lake. Don't launch from private land.
MapCamping
Black Lake
Onaway State Park
An 82-site campground in two sections, shaded and on a bluff above Black Lake. A Recreation Passport is required.
State forest
State forest land nearby
Mackinaw State Forest land surrounds much of this area. Some of it allows dispersed camping under DNR rules.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
The northern forest around the Rainy River holds deer, black bear, beaver, otter and ruffed grouse. Loons, eagles and ospreys fish on Black Lake.
Fishing
Black Lake is known for walleye, perch and its protected lake sturgeon. Sturgeon fishing is limited to a short, tightly regulated winter season. Check the current Michigan fishing guide.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Stay off the private land around Rainy River Falls.
- Stay near shore on Black Lake and watch the wind.
- Share your route and check-in time. Cell coverage is spotty.
Rules, passes and private land
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is required at Onaway State Park.
- 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
- Paper map of the area
- Bug spray for northern woods in June
Best Time & Access
Spring
Higher water on the river, cold water and black flies.
Summer
The best time for Black Lake and exploring the lower river.
Fall
Great northern color and quiet water.
Winter
Ice. Black Lake's sturgeon season is in February.
From Grand Rapids, Onaway is about four hours north. Take US-131 north to Gaylord, then head east on M-32 and north on M-33 to Onaway.
Trip Planning
Lake base
Stay at Onaway State Park and explore the Black Lake shoreline and the lower Rainy River from there.
Exploring trip
Treat the river as a short exploring paddle, not a long point-to-point run.
Combine rivers
The Black, Pigeon, Sturgeon and Ocqueoc rivers are all within an hour.
Check before you go
Look at the Pigeon River gage, the forecast and wind on Black Lake.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Rainy River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids on the paddleable stretch. The falls are private and off limits.
Lower Rainy River
Slow water near Black Lake. Small and remote.
Black Lake
Easy in calm weather. Wind builds waves on the open lake.
Quick Reference
| Source | Rainy Lake, Presque Isle County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Black Lake |
| Length | About 22.5 miles |
| Landmark | Rainy River Falls, private and closed |
| Dams | None that we could find |
| Nearest town | Onaway |
| Gage | None live. Use the Pigeon River near Vanderbilt (04128990) |
| Michigan Water Trail | Not designated |
| Best season | Late May to September |
| Difficulty | Class I |