Lower Peninsula River Guide  /  Torch Lake to Lake Skegemog

Torch River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.

A two-mile river that links Torch Lake, one of Michigan's most famous lakes, to Lake Skegemog. It's short, clear and busy with boats in summer, and it's a key link on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail.

RegionNorthwest Lower Peninsula
CountiesAntrim, Kalkaska
WatershedElk River Chain of Lakes
Great Lake BasinLake Michigan (Grand Traverse Bay)
River LengthAbout 2 miles
PaddleableAll of it
Best SeasonJune to September, early mornings
MouthLake Skegemog

Before you launch: boats, boats, boats

  • Heavy boat traffic: the Torch River is the main boat route between Torch Lake and the lakes below. Summer weekends are very busy. Paddle early and keep to the edge.
  • Big-lake wind: Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog can get rough fast. Watch the wind before heading onto either lake.
  • Current: the river flows steadily from Torch Lake toward Skegemog. Plan for a harder paddle back upstream.
  • Cold water: Torch Lake is deep and cold.

River History

The Torch River country was home to Odawa and Ojibwe people long before settlement. Torch Lake is often said to be named for the torches people used to spear fish at night. In the lumber era of the late 1800s, the Chain of Lakes carried logs and steamers, and small towns grew around its rivers.

Today the Chain of Lakes is one of Michigan's top boating destinations, and the Torch River is its busiest link. The Chain of Lakes Water Trail, which covers more than 100 miles of 12 interconnected lakes and rivers with 84 public access sites, has made the area a favorite for paddlers too.

River Map

Open the full map in Google Maps

River Overview

The Torch River flows about 2 miles from the south end of Torch Lake to Lake Skegemog, along the line between Antrim and Kalkaska counties. The Rapid River joins it on the left bank. From Lake Skegemog, the water continues into Elk Lake, down the Elk River and into Grand Traverse Bay.

  1. Torch Lake

    One of Michigan's largest and deepest inland lakes. DNR access at the river's head.

  2. Upper Torch River

    Clear, steady current lined with docks and boats.

  3. Rapid River confluence

    The Rapid River joins on the left bank near the community of Torch River.

  4. Lake Skegemog

    The river ends in Lake Skegemog, with the Skegemog Lake wildlife area nearby.

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

There's no live USGS gage on the Torch River. The Clam Lake outlet gage near Alden, on the same Chain of Lakes, shows how lake levels are running upstream.

How to read it

The Torch River's flow follows Chain of Lakes levels, which change slowly. Expect steady current toward Lake Skegemog.

Wind on the big lakes matters more than flow. Check the forecast.

Clam Lake outlet to Torch Lake near AldenUSGS 041275685 · Chain of Lakes level, regional guide

Paddling Character

Torch River

Short and busy

Clear water, steady current, docks and lots of boats. Easy paddling if you avoid peak traffic.

Boat trafficClear waterCurrent
Torch Lake

Big, clear lake

Famous turquoise water, but big and deep. Wind builds waves fast.

Open waterWind
Lake Skegemog

Quieter lake

Shallower and wilder, with marshes and a state wildlife area.

WildlifeWind

Michigan Water Trails

The Torch River is part of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a designated Michigan water trail linking the Elk River Chain of Lakes in Antrim, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse counties. Its routes include the Torch Lake, Lake Skegemog and Lower Chain routes.

Paddlers can follow the chain from Torch Lake through the Torch River to Lake Skegemog and Elk Lake.

Chain of Lakes Water Trail

Dams & Portages

Torch River

No dams

There are no dams on the Torch River. The Elk Rapids Dam, far downstream at Elk Lake's outlet, controls water levels on the lower chain.

Launches

Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.

Head of the river

DNR access, Torch Lake

State access at the north end of the river, at the south tip of Torch Lake.

Map
Torch River

Torch River bridge area

The road bridge at the community of Torch River. Busy with boats; confirm public parking.

Map
Lake Skegemog

Skegemog Lake wildlife area

DNR wildlife area on Lake Skegemog. Good for quieter paddling.

Map

Camping

Williamsburg

Whitewater Township Park

Township campground on Elk Lake, a short drive from the Torch River.

Kalkaska County

State forest campgrounds

Rustic DNR campgrounds in the nearby state forest.

Wildlife & Fishing

Wildlife

Loons, eagles, ospreys and swans are common on the lakes. The Lake Skegemog wildlife area protects marshes and cedar swamp for waterfowl, otter and deer.

Fishing

The Chain of Lakes holds bass, pike, walleye, perch and lake trout in Torch Lake. Steelhead run up the Rapid River in spring.

Safety

Safety essentials
  • Wear your PFD the whole time.
  • Paddle early in the day to avoid peak boat traffic.
  • Stay near shore on Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog, and watch the wind.
  • Wear bright colors so boaters can see you.
Rules, passes and private land
  • A Recreation Passport may be required at state access sites.
  • 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
  • Wind forecast checked before launch

Best Time & Access

Spring

Quiet water but very cold lakes.

Summer

Peak season. Beautiful water, but very busy. Go early.

Fall

Fewer boats and great color. Wind picks up.

Winter

Cold and icy. Not recommended.

From Grand Rapids, the Torch River is about two and a half hours north. Take US-131 north to Kalkaska, then head west on M-72 and north toward Rapid City and Torch River.

Trip Planning

Early start

Launch at dawn on summer days to beat the boat traffic.

Chain of Lakes trip

Paddle from Torch Lake down the river to Lake Skegemog, with a car shuttle at each end.

Add the Rapid

Explore the mouth of the Rapid River on the way.

Check before you go

Look at the wind forecast and weekend boating events.

River Difficulty

We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Torch River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids. Boat traffic and wind on the lakes are the real challenges.

Class I

Torch River

Easy current. Experience with boat traffic recommended.

Class I + open water

Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog

Easy in calm weather. Wind builds waves quickly.

Quick Reference

SourceTorch Lake
MouthLake Skegemog
LengthAbout 2 miles
Main tributaryRapid River
DamsNone
CountiesAntrim, Kalkaska
GageNone live. Chain of Lakes level at Clam Lake outlet (041275685)
Michigan Water TrailChain of Lakes Water Trail
Best seasonJune to September, early mornings
DifficultyClass I

Sources

Conditions change. Always check current water levels, hazards and access before you launch, and confirm details with the DNR, county parks and local land managers.

Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.