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.

DOWNLOAD RIVER MAPS & RENTALS

Local Rivers Cleanup Events

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...

Walk, Run, Hike & Bike – Here are 7 Paths to Take in Cadillac this Fall

by CAVB Staff | February 2, 2024 | Biking, Cadillac Stories, Downtown, Fall, Late Fall, Out and About with Dave Foley, Self Guided Trips, Trails & Parks | 2 Comments

By Dave Foley: Tired of running the same old routes? If you’re visiting Cadillac you can go out every day for a week, never take the same route twice and start each one within five miles of downtown.#1 Keith McKellop Walkway (2 Miles) Probably the best known is the...

Birders Flock To These 8 Locations in and Around Cadillac

by CAVB Staff | May 7, 2023 | Cadillac Stories, Out and About with Dave Foley, Spring, Trails & Parks | 0 Comments

By Dave Foley With its mixture of lakes and streams as well as forests, meadows, marshes, and agricultural lands, Cadillac is a natural gathering point for birds, both migratory, and year-round resident flocks. I have worked with veteran local birder, Dave Newhouse,...