Huron River in Michigan

Trip Overview

This was a very pleasant trip that took about 3 hours.

My daughter "took me kayaking" for Father's Day. We put in at the DNR access and paddled through Proud Lake. We saw several swans and a Blue Heron. The lake was high due to recent rains, but the lake was very clear and you could easily see 10 feet down. It's really neat to paddle in these conditions.

A short while later, we came to the Proud Lake Dam, with an easy portage over a wooden ramp. This is a very scenic area to take a picture, or a rest. Earlier in the spring, this area was thick with rainbow trout, which were nowhere to be found now, as they are planted and fished out annually.

The river continued to meander through pretty meadows and wooded areas. In spring and fall, you sometimes scrape bottom, but the river was high and extremely clear for this trip. This spring, we had to maneuver around fly fishermen who liked to stand in the middle of the river and cast to the shores. Today, we had to avoid a flotilla of canoes from nearby liveries.

About an hour later, we stopped at a small pond with a swimming area and flush toilets. We stretched our legs, admired the swans, and continued on our way. This would make a great place for a picnic.

Further along, the river widened into a couple small lakes where we saw a lot of turtles, a muskrat, and another blue heron. We also passed a cemetery that lines the river, making an interesting contrast to the peaceful river.

After crossing under two adjacent bridges, we entered another small lake and headed to the Milford City Park, which was jammed with canoers and kayakers.

This was a great trip, the scenery constantly changes. There are several places to stretch your legs, complete with toilet facilities. The current is light enough that you could start at the park, paddle upstream, and return in an easy day of paddling.

There are other great stretches of the Huron River. Maybe in another report?

Fees:

Proud Lake requires State Park Sticker.

Directions:

Take I-96 to the Wixom Road Exit, and follow the signs to Proud Lake Recreation Area.

Take I-96 to the North Milford Road exit. It is about 5 miles to the city park in Milford.