Paddling Cadillac

Time to get back to nature and enjoy the beautiful waters of Northern Michigan. With three incredible inland lakes, and 200+ miles of river – your next floating adventure awaits in Cadillac! You can also relax at any of our area parks to enjoy the beautiful water views.

Cadillac is home to abundant access points to water allowing you to truly “explore your way.” There are so many family-friendly river and lake recreational opportunities to enjoy time with the entire family or a group of your closest friends. Spring, summer or fall, the area rivers meander and offer exceptional group entertainment, and beautiful views. When summer days come to a close, try a Fall Color Tour from a kayak or canoe for a different perspective of nature’s glory.

Several conveniently located liveries make it very easy for visitors to experience the pure paddling pleasure that awaits you here in the Cadillac area. Below find a list of related liveries, linked river map, and brief descriptions of the rivers.

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Local Rivers Cleanup Events

Reviving the MacKenzie Trail

by CAVB Staff | January 9, 2023 | Biking, Tourism News, Trails & Parks | 4 Comments

Huron Manistee Nation Forest Recreation Specialist Travis Owens planning a reroute. Photo: Sam Hogg The MacKenzie Trail, located 15 miles west of Cadillac, offers over 10 miles of non-motorized trails winding through the hills and valleys adjacent to Caberfae Peaks...

Top 5 "Early Summer Hot Spots" in Cadillac

by CAVB Staff | April 26, 2018 | Culture and Entertainment, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

It could be considered rare for a relatively laid back northern Lower Michigan community to have such an eclectic mix of options to include in its choice for Top 5 Destinations. But if you know anything about Cadillac, this is pretty much business as...

Out & About, Prime Paddling Season is Upon Us!

by CAVB Staff | April 23, 2018 | Cadillac Stories, Out and About with Dave Foley, Water | 0 Comments

By Dave Foley If you were hesitant about joining the throngs of paddlers that fill popular rivers like the Manistee and Pine on summer weekends, take heart, the pressure on these streams is noticeably less after Labor Day. Only a few canoe liveries are...