Highlights: Consistently fun with riffles and short runs of rapids, the Sturgeon is possibly my favorite river in the Northern Lower Peninsula. Combine it with the North Central State Trail and you have a challenging one-day adventure or a pleasant few days of biyaking and camping. Located midway, Haakwood State Forest Campground is the perfect base for splitting the paddle into two days (site 2 has excellent direct access to the river; while site 16 sits next to a rustic access site).

Most of the pedal and paddle meander through forest and meadows with overhanging trees, charming cabins, and birds flitting in and out of branches. At times, the river dives into dark woods, making one feel as if civilization is far, far away, which is exactly how we felt on two midweek mornings in July 2022. Despite the Sturgeon’s popularity—it’s served by two liveries—we were completely alone on the river, rushing along on a watery trail as the morning sun created diamonds in the sparkling water.

Distance: Bike: About 14 miles (from Trowbridge Road to Indian River). Paddle: About 17 miles (from Trowbridge Road Access Site to Burt Lake State Park). The river feeds into Burt Lake, and kayakers must paddle along the shore of the lake in order to reach the state park.

Difficulty: Biking: Mostly flat to some sustained, yet gentle, ascents on a crushed limestone rail-trail. The trail, however, veers east away from two of the access sites, so if you take out at Fisher-Woods or Burt Lake, you will have to cycle a short distance through Indian River (use caution on the city streets, which can be very busy during summer weekends). Kayaking: As one of the fastest rivers in the Lower Peninsula, the Sturgeon is also among its most challenging—expect quick turns, a mostly constant current, and overhanging trees, which are easy to get caught under. Stay alert and all will be fine but getting splashed is guaranteed.

Location: The Sturgeon River and North Central State Trail run almost parallel from Trowbridge Road, south of Wolverine, to Indian River, making it one of the easiest rivers in the Northern Lower Peninsula for biyaking. There are several access sites along the route, as well as four campgrounds: Sturgeon Valley Campground (Trowbridge Road), Wolverine Village Campground, Haakwood State Forest (about midway) and Burt Lake State Park (end). Located along or near South Straits Highway/Old U.S. 27, all of the access sites and campgrounds are easy to find on maps and/or GPS.

(Car shuttle: Using the directions above, park one car at the takeout and then drive the second car to the put-in.)

Route finding: There are many options for short or long outings. Our personal favorite is from Scott Road Access Site, north of Wolverine, to Fisher Woods Road in Indian River (*see below) because, in our opinion, it includes the best stretches of rapids and prettiest views (I-75 noise and views detract from the Trowbridge to Wolverine section). Regardless of where you takeout, be sure you can recognize it from the river.

Websites and maps: A PDF map is here and also visit the Top of Michigan Trails website for North Central State Trail information, as well as maps of both the trail and river.

* Leave your kayaks at the Scott Road Access Site, off South Straits Highway/Old U.S. 27, about 2 miles north of Wolverine. Then drive to Fisher Woods Road in Indian River and turn right. Continue to where the road meets the Sturgeon River, at the base of a short, steep hill, and leave your vehicle here. Bike back to South Straits, turning left on the Upper White Road. Continue for a short distance and pick up the North Central State Trail on the right. Pedal on the rail-trail until you hit Scott Road and turn left to the access site.