Nestled comfortably beside Lake Michigan, as well as numerous rivers, Chicago offers tons of paddling possibilities. Here’s why paddling Lake Michigan from one of my favorite beaches should definitely be on your standup paddleboarding destination hit list.
Can I paddleboard on Lake Michigan?
Can you paddle board on Lake Michigan? Absolutely! Lake Michigan is a monster of a lake and amazing for paddleboarding. It’s so big, that it behaves similarly to an ocean — you’ll find surfable waves, tidal shifts, and strong moving currents.
Has anyone paddle boarded across Lake Michigan?
Crossing Lake Michigan on a paddleboard has been done before. In 2007, Joe Bidawid paddled solo from South Haven to Chicago in 18 hours. In 2013, Craig and Trent Masselink and friend Ginny Melby made it from Milwaukee to Muskegon in about 24 hours by using a relay approach with rest stops in a safety boat.
Where can you paddle board in Michigan?
6 Amazing Places to Paddle Board in Michigan
- PLATTE RIVER. Over on the lower peninsula of Michigan, the clear, shallow Platte River runs about 30 miles long and offers a laid back paddling experience for any and all skill levels.
- PICTURED ROCKS.
- SLEEPING BEAR DUNES.
- ISLE ROYALE.
- GRAND TRAVERSE BAY.
- NORTH BAR LAKE.
Can you paddleboard in the Great Lakes?
Paddleboarding is a wonderful way to experience Michigan’s natural beauty. Thanks to the majestic Great Lakes and scenic inland lakes and rivers, Michigan offers some of the most variety of places with beautiful views to stand-up paddle (SUP) in America.
Can you paddle board at Pictured Rocks?
Kayak tours you can join at Pictured Rocks
Some of the most popular are Paddling Michigan, Paddle Pictured Rocks, or Pictured Rocks Kayak.
Can you paddle board in the Chicago River?
The Chicago River runs from Lake Michigan through the heart of downtown Chicago. If you love architecture or exploring beautiful cities by water, paddle boarding the Chicago River is perfect for you.
Can you paddleboard on the Grand River?
This Grand River route starts above Glen Morris at the ruins of an 1867 woolen mill and ends below the stone towers of the Three Sisters (about 3 km above Paris). It has about 1 km of easy splash to paddle, fresh water springs, an island to stop at and spots to swim,.
Can you paddle board on Torch Lake?
Paddleboarding. Paddle Boarding is a new water sport that is rapidly gaining popularity. With your stay at Torch Lake, you’ll have access to our Paddle Board equipment.
Is it safe to kayak on Lake Michigan?
Avoid Recreational Kayaks
Those that have paddled on Lake Michigan for years say that recreational kayaks have no place on these waters. While some guide outfits may use them for short trips in protected bays or harbors, they are strongly discouraged for use on the open waters of the lake.
Can you kayak across Lake Michigan?
Crossing Lake Michigan, Solo kayak trip takes just under 16 hours, high winds make for rough night.
Can you kayak on the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes hold 84% of North America’s fresh surface water and has around 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of shoreline. That makes these five lakes a world-class inland sea kayaking destination.
Is it safe to kayak at Pictured Rocks?
Kayaking in the Great Lakes can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be dangerous. Whether you’re kayaking at Pictured Rocks or anywhere, conditions can change rapidly. If you have an emergency here on Lake Superior, rescue could be hours away.
Can you kayak Pictured Rocks alone?
If you plan to paddle on your own, bring a sea kayak designed for coastal paddling, one 14.5 to 18 feet long. In addition, the park requires that you paddle with a life jacket and whistle or air horn and recommend that you bring a spray skirt, wet or dry suit, paddle float and leash, bilge pump, marine radio and more.
How much does it cost to kayak at Pictured Rocks?
Preview Routes
| Miners Castle | Grand Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Time | ~1 hour | ~1 hour |
| Paddle Time | 1+ hours | 1+ hours |
| Ticket Cost | $99 | $99-$118 |
| Children 5-12 | $99 | – |
Can you paddle board at Indiana Dunes?
Indiana Dunes has so many amazing options for flatwater stand up paddleboarding. Compared to most national parks, Indiana Dunes has a remarkable number of permitted places to SUP. From the sand dune beaches to the scenic river trails, you will constantly be entertained on your paddle board.
Can you kayak on Lake Michigan Chicago?
Several outfitters around the city offer ways to explore the lake for a couple of hours with a group in their boats, while teaching the basics of sea kayaking, safety and lake rules. Kayak Chicago offers 2.5-hour lake paddles that start at North Avenue Beach, just north of downtown Chicago.
Do you need a permit to kayak in Chicago?
Motorized Kayak Registration – You must have an Illinois Certificate of Number (registration), expiration decals, and Certificate of Title to operate your powered kayak or canoe legally in Illinois. Kayak Operator Licensing – There are no legal age requirements to operate unpowered kayaks or canoes in Illinois.
Can you canoe the entire Grand River?
This past spring JP and myself canoed pretty near the entire Grand River, raising money for the Conservation Authority’s tree planting efforts. Over the course of 6.5 days we saw the Grand change from a 20 ft. wide, rocky stream to a meandering miniature Mississippi.
Can you kayak in the Grand River?
The Grand River that flows through downtown Grand Rapids is a major focus of aquatic adventure. You can launch your own watercraft from nine local public access sites, rent a canoe or kayak for a guided tour, even take a scenic paddlewheel riverboat cruise.
Can you canoe the Grand River?
Canoeing or kayaking between the source of the Grand and Elora can be difficult because of low flows and the many portages. Suitability of river flows for paddling and paddling times depend on the experience and equipment of the paddler and the conditions at the time.