Irish Hills and Addison
Small lake-country creek
Small water between lakes. Mostly too small to paddle.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Irish Hills to the Ohio line, then the Maumee River
Tiffin River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
In Michigan this river is called Bean Creek. It starts at Devils Lake in the Irish Hills and winds south past Addison, Hudson and Morenci into Ohio, where it becomes the Tiffin River. It's a small, woody, twisting stream best paddled by people who don't mind climbing over logs.
RegionSoutheast Michigan, Irish Hills
CountiesLenawee, Hillsdale; Fulton and Defiance in Ohio
WatershedMaumee River
Great Lake BasinLake Erie
River LengthAbout 55 miles, Michigan and Ohio
PaddleableHudson and Morenci areas into Ohio, with logjams
Best SeasonApril to June
MouthMaumee River near Defiance, Ohio
Before you launch: logjams and the state line
- Many logjams: paddlers report frequent logjams. Expect to get out and drag over or around them.
- No live Michigan gage: the Bean Creek gage at Morenci isn't reporting. Use the Tiffin River gage in Ohio as a guide.
- Two states: trips below Morenci cross into Ohio. Know both states' rules for parking and access.
- Private land: most of the bank is private. Stop only where you have permission.
River History
French traders called this stream Crique Fève, meaning Bean Creek, for the wild beans growing along its banks. In 1822 the river was renamed for Edward Tiffin, Ohio's first governor. The name never caught on in Michigan, and in the 1960s the U.S. Board on Geographic Names settled on both: Bean Creek for the upper river and the Tiffin below.
The upper river starts in the Irish Hills, the lake country of southern Lenawee County, settled in the 1830s along the old Chicago Road. Mill towns like Addison, Hudson and Morenci grew along the creek, and the farmland below them was drained for crops in the late 1800s.
River Map
River Overview
Bean Creek flows from Devils Lake in the Irish Hills west through Addison, then south past Hudson, Medina and Canandaigua to Morenci. Hillsdale Creek joins north of Hudson, and Lime Creek and Silver Creek join near Morenci. Just over the Ohio line, Old Bean Creek joins and the river becomes the Tiffin, which meanders southwest past Stryker and then south to the Maumee River near Defiance.
Devils Lake, Irish Hills
The creek's source, a popular lake for boating.
Addison
The creek flows west through the village, then turns south.
Hudson
About 8 miles south. Hillsdale Creek joins north of town.
Medina and Canandaigua
Small, winding creek through farmland and woods.
Morenci
Last Michigan town. Lime and Silver creeks join nearby.
Ohio line and the Tiffin
Old Bean Creek joins at the Tiffin River Wildlife Area, about 9 miles southwest of Morenci.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on Bean Creek in Michigan right now. The Tiffin River at Stryker, Ohio, is downstream on the same river and is the best live guide.
How to read it
If the Tiffin at Stryker is well above its normal flow, Bean Creek is likely high, fast and carrying wood. If it's low, the Michigan stretches may be too shallow.
Look at the creek from a public crossing before you launch.
Paddling Character
Hudson to Morenci
Twisting and woody
A narrow, winding creek with many logjams. Fun for paddlers who like a challenge.
Into Ohio
Bigger and meandering
The Tiffin grows and slows as it meanders through Ohio farmland.
Michigan Water Trails
Bean Creek and the Tiffin River are not designated Michigan Water Trails. Nearby, the Upper River Raisin water trail covers another Irish Hills river.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Lenawee County
Old mill sites
Mill towns along the creek had dams in the past. Watch for old dam remains and low structures, and scout anything you can't see past.
Launches
There are few developed launches on Bean Creek. A paddler reports launching under a walking bridge and running about 3 hours to County Road T in Ohio, with many logjams. Confirm access before you go.
Camping
Irish Hills
Hayes State Park
State park campground in the Irish Hills near the creek's source. A Recreation Passport is required.
Hudson
Lake Hudson Recreation Area
Rustic state campground and Michigan's first dark sky preserve, south of Hudson.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Deer, wild turkey, herons, kingfishers and wood ducks are common. The Irish Hills lakes draw loons and waterfowl in migration, and the Tiffin River Wildlife Area in Ohio protects wetland habitat.
Fishing
Expect smallmouth bass, rock bass, pike and panfish. Check Michigan and Ohio fishing rules, depending on where you are.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Expect logjams. Never try to slip under a log.
- Check the Stryker gage before you go.
- Know which state you're in for access and fishing rules.
Rules, passes and private land
- Ohio rules apply below the state line.
- 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
- Rope for lining over logs
Best Time & Access
Spring
The best water. Cold, and logjams can shift after floods.
Summer
Often low in Michigan. Check the gage.
Fall
Low unless it's been rainy. Good color.
Winter
Cold and icy. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Hudson is about two hours southeast. Take I-96 east and US-127 south toward Jackson, then head south to Hudson. Morenci is about 20 minutes farther south and east.
Trip Planning
Logjam trip
Plan short distances. A 3-hour trip from Morenci into Ohio is a full workout.
Go in spring
Spring water gives you the best chance of passing over smaller logs.
Weekend base
Camp at Hayes State Park or Lake Hudson and paddle the Irish Hills lakes too.
Check before you go
Look at the Stryker gage, the weather and access on both sides of the state line.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list Bean Creek, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids. Logjams make it slow, hard work.
Hudson to Morenci and into Ohio
Easy current with many logjams and liftovers.
Quick Reference
| Source | Devils Lake, Irish Hills |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Maumee River near Defiance, Ohio |
| Length | About 55 miles, Michigan and Ohio |
| Names | Bean Creek in Michigan, Tiffin River in Ohio |
| Michigan towns | Addison, Hudson, Medina, Canandaigua, Morenci |
| Key gage | USGS 04185000, Tiffin River at Stryker, Ohio |
| Michigan Water Trail | Not designated |
| Best season | April to June |
| Difficulty | Class I, many logjams |