You will find a lot of water in and around the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. That means there are many opportunities to paddle a canoe or kayak. Bring your own boat, raft, or tube or you can rent one in the area.

River Paddling

Two rivers provide easy river paddling and floating. The Platte River is located in the southern part of the park, and canoes, kayaks, and tubes can be rented where the river crosses M-22. In the northern part of the park, near Glen Arbor, the Crystal River flows from Glen Lake to Lake Michigan and canoes and kayaks can be rented in Glen Arbor.  Low water levels in the Crystal River can make canoeing difficult at times.

Inland Lakes

Inland lakes offer some of the best wildlife viewing along the lakeshore. Loon Lake is located near the Platte River in the southern part of the park. There is parking lot and lake access just off M-22. School Lake and Bass Lake are small inland lakes in the northern part of the park. The public access for School Lake is from county 669.

Kayaking on Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is beautiful, but it can be treacherous as well. The cold temperatures, winds and waves can sometimes make canoeing or kayaking dangerous, so take appropriate safety precautions. Be sure your equipment is in good condition and that you don't overestimate your skill level. It is best to go out with at least one other person, who can help you in case of emergency.

There are several good places to put-in at the lakeshore. One of the best is at Glen Haven, where you can park at the Cannery Boat Museum right next to the beach. The paddle around Sleeping Bear Point is beautiful with a blue sky overhead, crystal-clear water, and the sand dunes on shore. Esch Road, just south of Empire also provides a good access point for a kayak. On the northern part of the lakeshore, County Roads 669 and 651 both provide good access to the lake.