Huron River Water Trail Trip Description 1 Hudson Mills Metropark

Huron River Water Trail Trip Description

Hudson Mills Metropark (Mile 67) to Delhi Metropark (Mile 58.3) - 3.5 hours; 8.7 miles

Launch at the Rapids View Picnic Area in Hudson Mills Metropark, near North Territorial Road. This trip provides easy access to both launch and take-out sites. Paddle through parkland and then into Dexter.

TRIP DESCRIPTION:

Excerpt from “Canoeing Michigan Rivers: A Comprehensive Guide to 45 Rivers” by Jerry Dennis and Craig Date provided with permission from Thunder Bay Press.

Put in at Hudson Mills Metropark, where there is good access and parking just below Territorial Road [at the Rapids View Picnic Area]. Upstream, fair access and parking are found a Bell Road. [Note: Launching at Bell Road will take you past the Hudson Mills canoe campground and rapids where a portage is recommended.] The river here is 60-90 feet wide and alternates sections of slow water one to four feet deep with sections of very shallow riffles. Low water in summer will produce some bottom-bumping. Hudson Mills has been the site of a saw mill, grist mill, cider mill and plaster mill, the earliest dating back to 1827. Today, only the ruins of foundations and a short stretch of light rapids mark the spot just below Territorial Road Bridge where the mills were located. The rapids can be run down the chute at left center. Pumpkin- to bushel-size rocks create standing waves that could become fairly high during high water. If in doubt, portage on the left just beyond the bridge.

Light riffles extend well into Hudson Mills Metropark, where there are several access sites and two overnight canoe campgrounds. This is one of the finest sections of the Huron River. The current alternates from quick to slow, and water is clean and clear as it flows over sand, gravel and rocks up to bushel size. The river passes through low hills of upland forests.

Occasional houses line the river, especially in Dexter, but generally this is a quiet, relatively remote section that supports a variety of wildlife. A runnable drop over a rock barrier just upstream from Dexter should be scouted during high water. Run it through the chute at right center.

[At mile 41, just upstream of Dexter, Mill Creek tributary enters the Huron River. In July 2008 Mill Creek Dam was removed, restoring a more natural flow regime.]

Mill Creek flows freely after dam removal in July 2008

Huron River Water Trail Trip Description

Access and parking are poor at the bridge in Dexter; supplies are a short walk from the bridge. A mile downstream is good access and parking at Dexter-Huron Metropark picnic grounds. Riffles near the park give way to slow water 2 to 5 feet deep. Just above Zeeb Road is another rock barrier, which can be run on the right.

Zeeb Road bridge has fair access and fair parking for five or six vehicles along the roadside. From here to Delhi is a one to 1 ½ hour float through wide river with slow to moderate current.

Take out at the public canoe landing on the right. Take care to exit the river BEFORE you reach the Delhi Rapids, which for the average paddler, require a portage.

Launch site map:

Huron River Water Trail Trip Description

Padding route map:

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Huron River Water Trail Trip Description

Take-out site map:

PARK FEES: A Metropark Motor Vehicle Entry Permit gives you access to all 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Vehicle Entry Permit • Annual $25 • Seniors (62+) $15 • Daily $5 Michigan's $10 Recreation Passport, purchased for your Michigan license plate, allows entry into all Michigan state parks. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks is a separate regional park system, and requires its own entry permit.