Small Lakes, Big Adventures: Exploring the Chain of Lakes Water Trail

Paddle Antrim shares some of their favorite places to paddle

When people think of northern Michigan, Lake Michigan steals the spotlight. Its tree-peppered shoreline, majestic dunes, and endless blue horizon have long defined Up North summers. But tucked just inland lies another aquatic treasure, one that offers more than 100 miles of interconnected paddling opportunities through some of the clearest, most diverse waters in the Midwest.

Stretching from Ellsworth to Elk Rapids, the Chain of Lakes Water Trail connects 12 lakes and rivers, each with its own distinct charm and personality. From quiet, wildlife-filled wetlands to the brilliant waters of Torch Lake, the system offers paddlers, kayakers, canoeists, and paddleboarders an entirely different way to experience northern Michigan.

“It’s a really unique asset to our region to have 12 interconnected lakes that you can explore,” says Deana Jerdee, Executive Director of Paddle Antrim. “You have the smaller lakes in the upper chain with a totally different experience than the lower chain, where you get the turquoise blue of Torch Lake and the bigger lakes like Torch and Elk. They’re completely different experiences; all connected with just one dam in the middle.”

Choose Your Own Adventure

Unlike a river, where paddlers travel in one direction, the Chain of Lakes offers remarkable flexibility.

“You have the option of starting and doing a loop around a lake or going out and back to the same location,” Jerdee explains. “You don’t have to worry about shuttles, but you can also do point-to-point paddles if that’s what you want.”

The communities of Ellsworth, Central Lake, Bellaire, and Elk Rapids serve as trailheads, each offering easy water access, restaurants, parks, and local businesses that encourage visitors to linger after their paddle.

“The water and the communities make the Chain of Lakes so special,” Jerdee says. “Each community is different, but they all are unique and have something to offer.”

Protected Paradise

For many paddlers, especially beginners, the inland lakes offer something Lake Michigan can’t always guarantee: predictability. That shelter makes the Chain of Lakes particularly appealing for families, novice paddlers, and anyone hoping to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water.

“The inland lakes provide some protection,” Jerdee says. “Even on windy days, because of the shapes of the lakes, you can usually find a protected area to paddle.”

Bellaire’s Intermediate River remains one of Jerdee’s favorite recommendations for adventure-seekers also interested in stability.

“You can paddle just up and down the Intermediate River. It’s beautiful. It’s sheltered, so it’s great for all types of paddlers and is usually protected from the wind,” she says.

Meanwhile, paddlers seeking an even more peaceful experience can head farther north.

Near Ellsworth, the Six Mile Lake–St. Clair Natural Area features more than a mile of protected shoreline where it’s entirely possible to paddle without seeing another person. Grass River Natural Area and the Skegemog Wildlife Area offer similar escapes into nature.

Endless Opportunities

Perhaps the greatest reward of paddling the Chain of Lakes is seeing northern Michigan in a way most never have.

“There are so many things you can see when you’re paddling,” Jerdee says. “Whether you’re paddling over the shipwreck just outside of Elk Rapids or watching gar and other fish swimming beneath you, it’s incredible.”

Along these protected shorelines, paddlers regularly encounter beavers, mink, blue herons, sandhill cranes, native swans, and an endless array of flora.

“There is just life teeming throughout the chain,” Jerdee tells us. “We’ve even hosted native plant paddles where people learn about the unique plants living in these waterways, including wild rice and even tiny carnivorous aquatic plants.”

Preserving Our Waterways

Paddle Antrim’s mission extends well beyond recreation. Founded in 2014, the nonprofit works to protect waterways by encouraging people to experience them firsthand.

“We believe that when people are on the water, they understand why we want to protect it,” Jerdee says.

A cornerstone of that mission is the Chain of Lakes Water Trail itself, which provides paddlers with detailed maps, route descriptions, emergency access points, and difficulty ratings.

“Having the Water Trail allows people to make informed decisions,” Jerdee says. “We highlight beginner routes, intermediate routes, advanced routes, and emergency access sites so people know what to expect before they get on the water. We always encourage people to go out with a partner and never paddle alone.”

Northern Michigan’s inland lakes remain among the state’s cleanest but protecting them requires constant vigilance. For Paddle Antrim, one of the greatest concerns is preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

“We really encourage everybody to protect our waterways,” Jerdee says. “Whether you’re paddling, fishing, or using a motorized boat, we promote the ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ message.”

The organization recently installed Michigan’s first non-motorized boat wash station in Elk Rapids, giving paddlers an easy way to help prevent invasive species from spreading between lakes. Paddle Antrim also trains volunteers to identify and report invasive species, turning everyday paddlers into citizen scientists.

“We’re trying to empower paddlers to be the eyes on the water,” Jerdee says. “A lot of times, citizen scientists are the first people to discover invasive species.”

The organization recently completed its first fully universally accessible paddling route, connecting Elk Rapids and Kewadin through universally accessible kayak launches. Another accessible launch is being added in Central Lake, expanding opportunities on the upper chain.

Leading by Example

Long before Michigan established a statewide water trail program, the communities surrounding the Chain of Lakes were already building one, officially founded in 2014.

“We were encouraged not to wait for the state,” Jerdee recalls. “We moved forward through a community process that worked for us.”

Today, the Chain of Lakes Water Trail is one of only 13 state-designated water trails and one of just two recognized as a Pure Michigan Water Trail. For Jerdee, however, the greatest achievement isn’t the designation…it’s helping people fall in love with northern Michigan’s inland waters.

“When you look at the map and see 100 miles and 84 access sites, it can feel overwhelming,” she says. “We just want to encourage people to get out, explore the different communities, and know there are resources to help them along the way.”

Learn more at paddleantrim.com.

Photo courtesy of Paddle Antrim

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