Upper river
Small farm streams
The branches are too small to paddle in most conditions.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Isabella County to the Tittabawassee River at Sanford
Salt River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A small mid-Michigan river, also called the Big Salt River, that runs from northeastern Isabella County into Midland County and ends at the Tittabawassee River in Sanford. It's quiet, rural and seldom paddled, so plan it as an exploring trip in higher water. Not to be confused with the Salt River in Macomb County.
RegionMid-Michigan
CountiesIsabella, Midland
WatershedTittabawassee, then Saginaw River
Great Lake BasinLake Huron (Saginaw Bay)
River LengthAbout 19 miles
PaddleableLower river, in moderate to high water
Best SeasonApril to June
MouthTittabawassee River at Sanford
Before you launch: small water and a changed river
- Small and woody: the Salt is a small river with downed trees. Expect liftovers.
- Changed downstream: the Tittabawassee at Sanford changed after the 2020 dam failures, and lake restoration work is ongoing. Check conditions before paddling past the mouth.
- Low summer water: the river gets shallow in summer. Check the North Bradley gage.
- Private land: most of the bank is private. Stop only where you have permission.
River History
The Salt River country, like the rest of the Tittabawassee valley, was white pine forest until the lumber era of the late 1800s. Midland County's early economy grew from those forests, and later from the brine that lies under the region. Herbert Dow founded Dow Chemical in Midland in 1897 to pull bromine from that brine.
In May 2020, record rain caused the Edenville Dam upstream to fail, and the Sanford Dam was overtopped. Sanford Lake drained, and the town of Sanford, at the mouth of the Salt, was badly flooded. Rebuilding the dams and lakes is ongoing through the Four Lakes Task Force.
River Map
River Overview
The Salt River rises in northeastern Isabella County. Its North and South branches meet in Denver Township near the Isabella-Midland county line, and the main river flows about 19 miles east into Midland County to join the Tittabawassee River at Sanford.
North and South branches, Isabella County
Small headwater streams in farm country.
Denver Township
The branches meet near the county line to form the main river.
North Bradley area
Site of the live USGS gage.
Lower river
Small, winding river through woods and farmland.
Tittabawassee River at Sanford
The Salt ends at the Tittabawassee in Sanford.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The USGS gage near North Bradley shows how the Salt is running. Use it to decide whether there's enough water for a small-river trip.
How to read it
Compare today's flow with the typical flow for the date shown on the USGS graph. Well above normal means faster current, debris coming downstream and fewer safe eddies. Well below normal means more dragging and more liftovers.
After heavy rain, check again the morning you launch. Small rivers rise and fall quickly.
Paddling Character
Lower river
Quiet and woody
Narrow, winding water with downed trees. Paddleable in moderate to high water.
Michigan Water Trails
The Salt River is not a designated Michigan Water Trail. Nearby, the Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers in Midland, and the Saginaw Bay Blueways downstream, offer longer paddling routes.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Salt River
No dams that we could find
We didn't find any dams on the Salt River itself.
Sanford
Sanford Dam, on the Tittabawassee
The Sanford Dam at the mouth of the Salt failed in 2020 and is being rebuilt. Stay clear of construction zones.
Launches
We couldn't confirm developed launches on the Salt River. Road crossings are the usual way in. Look first and confirm access.
Camping
Midland area
Local campgrounds
Private and county campgrounds near Midland and Sanford work as a base.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Deer, wild turkey, herons, kingfishers and wood ducks are common along the lower river.
Fishing
Expect smallmouth bass, pike, rock bass and suckers. Check the current Michigan fishing guide and the Eat Safe Fish guide.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Watch for downed trees. Never try to slip under a log.
- Stay clear of dam construction at Sanford.
- Check the gage before you go.
Rules, passes and private land
- 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
- Folding saw for small deadfall
Best Time & Access
Spring
The best water. Cold and higher after rain.
Summer
Usually low. Check the gage.
Fall
Low unless it's been rainy. Good color.
Winter
Cold and icy. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Sanford is about an hour and 45 minutes northeast. Take US-131 north to US-10 east toward Midland.
Trip Planning
Short trips
Plan short runs on the lower river in spring.
Scout first
Drive the crossings before your trip to check depth and deadfall.
Better nearby
For a longer day, paddle the Chippewa River or the Pine River near Midland.
Check before you go
Look at the North Bradley gage and any Sanford restoration notices.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Salt River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids. Deadfall and low water are the challenges.
Lower Salt River
Small, slow water with downed trees.
Quick Reference
| Source | North and South branches, Isabella County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Tittabawassee River at Sanford |
| Length | About 19 miles |
| Also called | Big Salt River |
| Dams | None on the Salt that we could find |
| Key gage | USGS 04153500, near North Bradley |
| Michigan Water Trail | Not designated |
| Best season | April to June |
| Difficulty | Class I |