West Michigan Kayaking Club · Upper Peninsula River Guide
St. Marys River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
River History
Whitefish Island, beside the St. Marys Rapids, holds evidence of about 4,000 years of seasonal use by Indigenous people who fished the rapids.
The first lock on the river was built on the Canadian side in 1798 by the North West fur company, and the first U.S. Soo Locks opened in May 1855. Hydro development later tamed the rapids. The Canadian side is a designated Canadian Heritage River.
Interactive River Map
River Overview
The St. Marys carries Lake Superior about 75 miles from Whitefish Bay to Lake Huron at De Tour, with the U.S.–Canada border down its middle.
Paddlers explore the upper river above the locks, the lower-river islands below Sault Ste. Marie, and the Sugar Island, Neebish Island and Munuscong Bay areas.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
Flow is regulated at the Soo, so no USGS gage is useful for paddling. Check Great Lakes water levels and the marine forecast. Best links: Verify locally.
Paddling Character
- Big, clear, cold water with steady current.
- Freighters can reverse current in the channels between the lower-river islands, up to about 3 ft per second.
- Stay out of the shipping channel and at least 200 feet from freighters.
- Paddling back upstream against the current can be hard.
Michigan Water Trails
St. Marys River Island Explorer Water Trail: paddle-only Voyageur Island Park (no motorboat docking), wildlife platforms and freighter viewing. Launch at Rotary Park or Harvey Marina.
The Lake Superior water trail includes stops in the Twin Saults.
Dams & Portages
No portage around the locks is needed: paddlers can lock through.
- Canadian recreational lock (Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site): open to small craft including kayaks. It closed for repairs in August 2024; current status: Verify locally.
- U.S. Soo Locks: Parks Canada noted in 2024 that recreational boaters could use them free, without reporting to customs if they don't land. Current rules for kayaks: Verify locally.
- Keep clear of hydro plant intakes and the compensating works above the rapids.
Never run a dam.
Launches
- Rotary Park, next to the Sugar Island ferry: paddle docks and restrooms. Launch from the west side of the park to avoid current.
- Charles T. Harvey Marina, east on Riverside Drive
- Riverside Drive ramp, west side of Aune-Osborn Campground
- William Gregory Park: two DNR ramps
- East Northshore Drive: two DNR ramps
- Sherman Park: upper river, above the locks
- Ahsmun Bay boat launch: upper river
- Landings close sunset to sunrise except for loading.
Camping
- Aune-Osborn Campground on Riverside Drive, beside a launch ramp
Wildlife & Fishing
- Waterfowl and shorebirds on the lower-river islands.
- Atlantic and chinook salmon runs.
Safety
- Shipping traffic, wake, current, cold water and wind on open reaches.
- Border law: land only on the side you launched from unless you clear customs.
- Nearest hospital: Sault Ste. Marie. Name: Verify locally.
Best Time & Access
June to September. The water stays cold all year.
Trip Planning
- Check the USGS gage
- Check the weather
- Leave a trip plan with someone
- PFD on
- Dry bag packed
- Shuttle set
- Cold-water gear ready
River Difficulty
- Class IClass I (not listed by American Whitewater) — easy moving water, small riffles, few obstructions.
Ratings rise at high water — check the USGS gage before paddling. American Whitewater
Quick Reference
- Length: ~75 mi
- Connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron
- Border river: U.S.–Canada
- Freighters: stay 200 ft away
- Best: June–September
Sources
Paddle It With the Club
Join West Michigan Kayaking Club members on the St. Marys River.
Come paddle with us
Sign the member agreement, then pick your first trip.
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.