Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground Boat Launch

There's no ramp here and no trailer parking — this is a carry-down access point only. You're bringing a canoe, kayak, or waders down a trail to the South Branch. If you're trailering anything, look elsewhere.

The two-track road into Canoe Harbor is notoriously beat up. It'll rattle your fillings and it's worse in spring. Low-clearance vehicles and anything you're towing will feel every pothole. They grade it occasionally but it deteriorates fast.

This stretch of the South Branch is premier trout water — brown, brook, and rainbow. It's part of the Mason Tract, so it's fly-fishing-only territory with very limited access points. You won't find crowds on the river, which is the whole point.

No electric, no cell service to speak of, just hand-pump water and pit toilets. The four riverside sites are specifically for paddlers doing overnight trips on the Au Sable — they fill fast on summer weekends. Everything is first-come, first-served with an honor-box payment system.

If you're planning a multi-day canoe or kayak trip on the South Branch, this is one of the best put-in/take-out points. The river access trail is short and manageable. Just don't expect to drag anything heavier than a 16-foot canoe down there comfortably.