Paddling
Please Note: Some stretches of the river are NOT for beginners! The lower river from Budd Park in Clinton Township downstream to Mt. Clemens is the best stretch for beginners.
Canoe & kayak rentals are available in Oakland County through Outdoor Escorts, LLC.
Please visit their website for more information www.outdoorescorts.com ;
email outdoorescorts@yahoo.com or call 248.421.3445
Be sure to check river levels and streamflow
before attempting a trip.
Please contact our office for more detailed information about the paddling opportunities listed here.
Oakland CountyWESTERN OAKLAND COUNTY This stretch begins at Dixie Highway and ends in Cass Lake. Paddling is also possible through Waterford when river levels are high enough. AUBURN HILLS The Auburn Hills stretch begins at Riverside Park (at Auburn and Squirrel Roads) and ends at Adams Road. This is a scenic stretch through a mix of urban and "up north" environments. ROCHESTER HILLS The Rochester Hills stretch begins at Adams Road and runs to the corner of Avon and Livernois Roads. Paddlers can also continue on through Rochester to Bloomer Park but should take out above Yates Dam. Some of the most scenic spots on the river can be found through this stretch. You can take out at the Clinton River Trail parking lot on Second Street in Rochester, but the banks are very steep and this take-out is not advised for beginners. BALD MOUNTAIN STATE RECREATION AREA The Graham Lakes offer wonderful, peaceful lake paddling opportunities in one of the most pristine areas of the Clinton River watershed. INDEPENDENCE OAKS Canoe rentals are available on the lake at Independence Oaks County Park. |
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Macomb CountySHELBY TOWNSHIP This stretch begins at Yates Cider Mill and runs to the south end of Riverbends Park in Shelby Township. Note that there are often a number of log jams through this stretch. UTICA & STERLING HEIGHTS This stretch begins at Utica City Park and ends at South Clinton River Park in Sterling Heights. Note that there are a number of log jams through this stretch. CLINTON TOWNSHIP & MT. CLEMENS This stretch begins at Budd Park and ends at Shadyside Park or the YMCA in Mt. Clemens. This is about a 2-hour, gentle paddle that can be done even during low flows in late summer. STONY CREEK METROPARK Canoe rentals are available on Stony Creek Lake in the Metropark. |
River Maps
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| Clinton River Access Points from I-75 to Livernois |
Clinton River Access Points from Livernois to Ryan |
Recommended Paddling Stretches |
| Access points are denoted with the fish and hook; nearby parking is noted as well. | Access points are denoted with the fish and hook; nearby parking is noted as well. | These stretches of the Clinton River are paddled most frequently, maintained by volunteer stewards, and are relatively logjam free. |
USGS Streamflow Data:
- Drayton Plains, Waterford (Clinton River)
- Auburn Hills (Clinton River)
- Rochester (Paint Creek)
- Washington Township (Stony Creek)
- Sterling Heights (Clinton River)
- Moravian Drive, Mt. Clemens (Clinton River)
Recent Excursions
On April 5, 2008 CRWC staffer Ruth Glass, Clinton River Steward Dale Goolsby, and several friends and supporters of the CRWC, paddled from Avon & Livernois to Avon & Dequindre. It was a beautiful sunny day, water levels were relatively high, and the current fairly fast. This stretch is class 2 water and should only be attempted by those at the appropriate skill level. Below are photos from that trip.
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Have you taken a recent trip down the Clinton you would like to share with us? Please send a brief description of the river conditions in the stretch you paddled, along with a photo or two, to contact@crwc.org.