Lower river
Calm and wooded
Flat, sheltered water through woods. Good for beginners.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Richmond to Anchor Bay of Lake St. Clair
Salt River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A small Macomb County river that runs from the Richmond area to Anchor Bay on Lake St. Clair. The lower river is a calm, wooded paddle with a kayak rental park, and its mouth is a stop on the Lake St. Clair Water Trail. Not to be confused with the Salt River near Midland.
RegionMetro Detroit, Lake St. Clair
CountiesMacomb
WatershedLake St. Clair coastal streams
Great Lake BasinLake St. Clair (Lake Erie system)
River LengthAbout 18 miles
PaddleableLower river and Anchor Bay
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthAnchor Bay, Chesterfield Township
Before you launch: boats and bay wind
- Anchor Bay: Lake St. Clair's Anchor Bay is shallow and gets choppy fast. Check the marine forecast.
- Boat traffic: the river mouth and bay are busy with boats on summer weekends.
- Small upper river: above the lower few miles, the river is small and brushy.
- After heavy rain: the river runs fast and muddy. Wait for it to settle.
River History
The Salt River runs through the farm country of northern Macomb County to Anchor Bay, the northern arm of Lake St. Clair. Settlers in the 1800s farmed the area and built small towns like Richmond and New Baltimore.
Today the lower river runs through the growing suburbs of Chesterfield Township, and Anchor Bay is one of the most popular boating areas on Lake St. Clair. The river's mouth is part of the Lake St. Clair Water Trail, a regional paddling network around the lake.
River Map
River Overview
The Salt River's headwaters are just west of Richmond, about 18 miles of stream north of its mouth. It flows south and east through northern Macomb County to Anchor Bay of Lake St. Clair in Chesterfield Township.
Headwaters west of Richmond
Small farm streams. Too small to paddle.
Middle river
Small river through farmland and suburbs.
Lower river and Webber Paddle Park
Calm, wooded water with kayak rentals.
Mouth at Anchor Bay
The river meets Lake St. Clair in Chesterfield Township.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Salt River. The Belle River at Memphis, the next watershed north near Richmond, is the closest live gage and a rough guide to local conditions.
How to read it
If the Belle River is high, the Salt is likely high and muddy too. Near the mouth, Lake St. Clair's level sets the depth.
Check the wind before heading onto Anchor Bay.
Paddling Character
Anchor Bay
Shallow bay
Open water with boats and wind. Calm days only.
Michigan Water Trails
The Salt River mouth is on the Lake St. Clair Water Trail. Its Salt River route is a 2.3-mile shoreline paddle near Chesterfield, passing Fish Creek and the Salt River mouth.
Kayak rentals have been offered at Webber Paddle Park on the lower river.
Lake St. Clair Water TrailDams & Portages
Macomb County
No dams on the lower river
We didn't find any dams on the paddling stretch.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Camping
Algonac
Algonac State Park
State park campground on the St. Clair River, about 30 minutes east. A Recreation Passport is required.
Riverside
No camping on the river
The lower Salt River runs through suburbs.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Herons, egrets, swans, ducks and turtles are common on the lower river. Anchor Bay draws huge flocks of migrating waterfowl.
Fishing
Anchor Bay is known for bass, perch, walleye and muskie. The lower river holds pike and panfish.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Check the marine forecast before heading onto Anchor Bay.
- Watch for boats near the mouth.
- Stay off the river after heavy rain.
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
- Bright clothing and a whistle
Best Time & Access
Spring
Higher, muddier water. Cold.
Summer
The best time for the lower river. Busy bay on weekends.
Fall
Great migrating waterfowl on Anchor Bay.
Winter
Ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Chesterfield Township is about two and three-quarter hours east. Take I-96 east to Detroit, then I-696 and I-94 east to the New Baltimore area.
Trip Planning
Easy paddle
Rent or launch at Webber Paddle Park and paddle the lower river.
Water trail
On a calm day, add the 2.3-mile Salt River route along the Anchor Bay shore.
Combine
Pair with the Clinton River or the St. Clair River nearby.
Check before you go
Look at the marine forecast and the Belle River gage.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The lower Salt River is flatwater, rated Class I. Wind and boats on Anchor Bay are the challenges.
Lower Salt River
Calm, sheltered water.
Anchor Bay
Calm days only.
Quick Reference
| Source | Just west of Richmond |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Anchor Bay, Chesterfield Township |
| Length | About 18 miles |
| Dams | None on the lower river |
| Launch | Webber Paddle Park |
| Gage | None live. Use the Belle River at Memphis (04160600) |
| Water trail | Lake St. Clair Water Trail, Salt River route |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I |