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6 The Emerging Development and Significance of Water Trails in Michigan

“Water trails are gaining in popularity as community leaders look to increase assets that draw those in the mobile workforce who have the ability to choose where they live. With a relatively low cost, [water trails] can complement land-based trails, natural areas, and other community assets creating a place where people want to live, work, and play.”

—Mary Bohling, District 12 Director, MSU Extension

Chapter Objectives and Goals

Michigan is home to over 3,000 miles of coastal and inland water trails. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s inland water trail program continues to elevate the role played by water trails in providing public access to important freshwater resources. Key issues such as safety, public access, history and wayfinding signage, and connections to land trails will be discussed in this chapter. In addition, readers will come to appreciate the significant role played by various levels of government and nonprofit organizations in developing a comprehensive water trail program.

Key Questions to Consider as You Read this Chapter 

  1. What is the history behind Michigan’s use of waterways as trails?
  2. How have water trails contributed to Michigan’s economy?
  3. What state and federal programs recognize water trails?
  4. What national water trails exist in Michigan?
  5. What is the important distinction between a typical water trail in Michigan and a Heritage Water Trail?
  6. What are some of the criteria for obtaining a state water trail designation?
  7. What is a principal advantage of being designated a Pure Michigan Water Trail?
  8. How is the public trust doctrine incorporated into the water trail program in Michigan?
  9. What two currently existing state waterways programs could provide future direction for Michigan’s water trail program?
  10. List some important water trail organizations in Michigan. What do they all have in common?

Introduction

Michigan has an emerging and exciting water trail program, which includes navigable waters that have local, state, or federal water trail designations. Water trails have largely been established throughout the state based on historical use of water corridors, including lakes, rivers, and streams. There are many organizations in Michigan that facilitate the continued Improvement of Michigan’s water trail program. This chapter will examine many of these important components of Michigan’s water trail program.

What is a Water Trail?

A water trail is a designated route on a navigable waterway such as a lake, river, canal, or bay, specifically dedicated for recreational use. Depending on the size of the water body and local restrictions, a water trail can be used by both motorized and non-motorized vessels, and it generally supports other public recreation uses that require access to water such as fishing, swimming, and sightseeing. A water trail is typically organized, supported, and managed by a specific organization and/or community partner that has committed resources for long-term funding, development, and management of the designated trail.

There are several important characteristics of water trails:

  • Well-developed access and launch points
  • Often located near historical, environmental, or cultural resources
  • Provide both conservation and recreation opportunities
  • Are easily navigable in terms of routes and way finding
  • When located in urban areas, often include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels, and liveries
  • When located in rural areas, there may be relatively few amenities but will likely include access to primitive campgrounds and basic infrastructure like launches and exit points
Water trails can help to expose people to natural resources and the need for conservation. By Bob Wilson, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Historic Development of Water Trails

Michigan has a rich heritage of water trails, as Native Americans used the waters of the region for transportation and commerce. Early European settlers also utilized lakes, rivers, and streams for commerce. Water corridors helped open the region for an expansive fur trade, and exploration and eventual settlement of distant lands.[1]

The first formal water trail designations occurred in 1963 in Minnesota with the official designations of the Minnesota, St. Croix, Big Fork, and Little Fork Canoe and Boating Routes (Hark 2008). After that, other states and organizations across the nation began following suit and designating their own versions of water trails. Today, designated water trails can be found in nearly every state in the country.

This early development opened the door for additional state and organizational focus on developing water trails. The National Trail System Act (NTSA), passed by Congress in 1968, established the framework for a system of national recreational trails that included both land and water trails (NPS 2019). An amendment to the NSTA in 2012 officially established National Water Trails (NWTs) as a class of National Recreational Trails under this federal program (Bonsall et al n.d.).

The water trail movement in Michigan started through grassroots efforts of interested individuals, communities, and non-profits. In Michigan, we have local, state, and nationally designated water trails. Both the state and federal programs provide specific guidelines and criteria for water trail designation and are important measures to form a consistent water trail program.

National Water Trail Designation

The NWT program guidelines have been established by the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, which is housed within the National Park Service (NPS). To qualify for NWT designation, an applicant must demonstrate that the trail meets the following criteria (Bonsall et al n.d.):

  • The trail is open to the public and is designed, constructed, and maintained according to best management practices.
  • The trail is compliant with local land use plans and environmental laws.
  • The trail will be open for public use for at least ten consecutive years after formal designation.
  • The designation is supported by landowners on which access points are located.

Organizations interested in obtaining a water trail designation at the national level should be aware of significant benefits such as national promotion and visibility, positive economic impact from increased tourism, federal assistance with stewardship and sustainability projects, and increased opportunities to obtain technical assistance and funding. There are currently thirty-five nationally designated water trails, which amount to approximately 4,900 of water trail mileage nationwide (American Trails n.d.).

Michigan Water Trail Designation

Given the vast accessibility of water resources in the state of Michigan, water trail advocates pursued the development of a formal state water trail program for several years. The Michigan legislature also anticipated a water trail program with several specific legislative acts that set the groundwork for a water trail program. Michigan statutory law authorizes three specific water trail designations:

  • Heritage Water Trails
  • Pure Michigan Water Trails
  • State Water Trails

Heritage Water Trails

In 2002, the Michigan legislature authorized the creation of the Michigan Heritage Water Trail program with the passage of Public Act 454 of 2002 (Michigan Legislature n.d.a). This program was established to help guide local advocates in the creation of water trails that helped celebrate local history, culture, and natural resources (Burkholder and Cowall 2017). Michigan has a number of designated heritage water trails that are well known for their interpretive features.

Pure Michigan Water Trails

An important marketing and promotional component of Michigan’s water trail program includes the opportunity to obtain a designation as a Pure Michigan Water Trail. In 2014, the legislature passed Public Act 210, which amended the Michigan Trailways Act to allow for the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to designate a Pure Michigan Water Trail. These water trails are exceptional Michigan water trails that are regarded as model trails for their designated uses (DNR n.d.a).

State Water Trails

In 2016, the DNR drafted a framework for a new state water trail designation program (Burkholder and Cowall 2017). Many of the components of this program mirror the federal designation. Under the framework, state officials developed criteria for state water trail designation. To receive a state water trail designation, the water trail must (Michigan Water Trails 2021):

  • Provide a quality experience
  • Provide clear information for users
  • Demonstrate broad community support
  • Demonstrate a sustainable business, maintenance, and marketing plan

The DNR water trail program includes three different categories of water trail designations:

  1. Non-Motorized Inland Water Trail: can be located along any water system not on the Great Lakes
  2. Great Lakes Water Trail: can be located along the shore of any of Michigan’s Great Lakes
  3. Motorized Water Trail: can either be on inland water or the Great Lakes shoreline, and does not have to be exclusively used by motorized vessels

As of June 2024, Michigan has more than 3,000 miles of water trails (Michigan Water Trails n.d.). There are nine state-designated water trails with some significant overlap with trails that have also been designated as NWTs. These state-designated trails include the Central River Raisin Water Trail, Chain of Lakes Water Trail, Huron River Water Trail, the Island Loop Route, Flint River Trail, the Middle Grand River Water Trail, the Shiawassee River Trail, the Upper Grand River Water Trail, and the Clinton River Water Trail (DNR n.d.b).

 

Legislative leaders join in to engage in a community based kayak event on the Huron River. By Bob Wilson, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Local and Regional Water Trails

One of the principal reasons that Michigan has a burgeoning water trail program is due to the efforts put forward by individuals, organizations, and communities at the local and regional levels in the state. Municipalities and nonprofit organizations have provided much of the foundation for Michigan’s evolution in the development and management of a system of water trails. There are at least twenty locally created and managed water trails, with the Saginaw Bay Trail, the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, the Blue Ways of St. Clair, and the Monroe County water trails being prime examples.

An example of a local water trail program is the Blueways of St. Clair, a comprehensive water trail system along the St. Clair River corridor. The Blueways program is managed by the St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission and its Island Loop Route has been designated as both a state and national water trail (Blueways of St. Clair n.d.).

Legal Framework for Water Trail Development in Michigan

Common Law

The Public Trust Doctrine, which is established in common law requires the government to act as a trustee for the public and its right to access certain natural resources. Two key provisions of Michigan’s Constitution also lay out broad responsibilities for the government to provide access to natural resources and to promote public health and welfare.

Constitutional Law

Article 4, Sections 51 and 52, of the Michigan Constitution charges the legislature with protecting and promoting public health and general welfare and protecting natural resources, and the development of those resources for the people of Michigan (Michigan Legislature 2023).

Statutory Law

The Michigan Trailways Act (MTA) specifically authorizes the creation of a water trail program.[2] Several DNR citizen advisory groups have been active in developing the design and implementation of a water trail program. The Michigan Trails Advisory Council has also provided recommendations for a water trail program. As noted in an earlier chapter of this coursebook, the MTA also authorizes the creation of multi-jurisdictional management councils. This authorization better equips communities within a trail corridor to manage a regional water trail.

The Michigan State Waterways Commission is a seven-member advisory board that makes funding recommendations to the DNR and works to help develop harbors of refuge for vessels along the Great Lakes and connecting inland waterways (DNR n.d.c).[3] This citizen-based commission could play a very significant role in future funding and development of the state’s water trail program. There have been discussions within the commission about creating a planning work group that could help develop additional funding and programmatic elements to the state’s water trail program.

Key Water Trail Organizations

Groups such as Paddle Antrim, the Huron River Watershed Council, the Michigan Sea Grant program, Michigan Office of the Great Lakes (OGL), and the Blueways of St. Clair were early proponents of a state water trail program. Smaller volunteer groups around the state have also developed their own water trail programs.

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit organizations have played an integral role in helping stimulate and support local water trail efforts. These groups have helped provide fundraising, recruit volunteers, and lead restoration and educational programs along rivers, lakes, and streams. A prime example of a local nonprofit water trail organization is Paddle Antrim, whose mission it is to “protect water resources by using paddle sports to connect people to our waterways” (Paddle Antrim n.d.). This organization is leading the development, maintenance, and improvement of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail in northern Michigan.

 

Organized paddling events help to generate community support and understanding of the importance of water trails. By Bob Wilson, CC BY-NC 4.0.

State-Level Organizations

Two state-level organizations that have provided a strong foundation for Michigan’s water trail program are the Michigan OGL and the Michigan Sea Grant. The Michigan OGL has been active in building a Great Lakes Coastal Water Trail program, assisted by the federal Coastal Zone Management program (EGLE n.d.). The Michigan Sea Grant, which is a cooperative program of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has provided opportunities for education and research along Michigan’s waterways (Michigan Sea Grant n.d.).

Economic Benefits of Water Trails

Water trails can attract and support tourism and new business opportunities as well as help sustain existing businesses and their employees; such activity generates significant economic benefits for both local and regional economies, as demonstrated by several studies:

  • Water trail users tend to be well-educated and have incomes greater than $75,000 per year (Outdoor Industry Association 2015).
  • Michigan’s canoe and kayak industry alone contributes more than $140 million per year to the state’s economy (Austin and Steinman 2015).
  • A 2013 economic impact study found that the Huron River Water Trail generates more than $49.5 million annually from trail users (Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development 2013).

Planning a Water Trail

Many of the key components of planning a water trail align with efforts to plan a land-based trail. These components include organizing a coalition of stakeholders, conducting an inventory of local water resources and access sites, and creating a master plan that helps to provide general guidance for water trail management and implementation (Exhibit 1).

Exhibit 1: Key Components of Planning a Water Trail

Step 1.Organize a Coalition of Stakeholders. Step 2. Conduct an Inventory. Step 3. Plan the Trail. Step 4. Implement.

Key Planning Considerations

Trail planners and managers should take into account six key considerations when developing a water trail: funding, safety, accessibility, signage, amenities, and marketing.

Funding

A key planning consideration is the establishment and maintenance of consistent sources of funding. This is important because no current dedicated state-level funding source exists for water trails. Grants, gifts, corporate sponsorships, philanthropic efforts, and local funding such as fees and millages should all be considered when making a plan for funding a water trail.

Accessibility

Accessibility is an essential element to any good water trail program. Water trails should be easily accessible for users of a wide range of abilities and ages with universally accessible launch sites being an important piece of infrastructure.

Safety

A significant and ongoing effort should be made to ensure that water trail users have a safe experience on the water trail. An interactive safety campaign is a key component of any water trail plan. In many communities, water trail partners help to provide direct hands-on training for water trail users.

 

Safety seminars and discussing the importance of preparation in any water trail event is a key part of a water trail program. By Bob Wilson, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Signage

Signage along the trail should help provide support for water trail users. For any water trail to be successful, users must be familiar with where they are along the trail. Trail managers should provide key directional information for accessing launch and exit points along the water trail. These signage efforts should include signs that are properly designed and placed along the corridor to help people feel comfortable and ready to use the resource. The signage should be consistent throughout the course of the trail and should include both safety and cautionary signs as well as interpretive signage to help enrich the trail experience. When possible, safety signage should be co-developed with local first responders.

Amenities

Infrastructure amenities should also be found along the water trail with essential components including parking, restrooms, and universally accessible launch sites. In urban areas, additional amenities such as restaurants, hotels, liveries, and campgrounds are frequently offered.

 

Improving accessibility should always be a goal of a water trail manager. Kayak cradles have significantly expanded public access. By Bob Wilson, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Marketing

If you build it, will they come? They will if marketing is part of the planning process. Common marketing elements to consider include websites, mobile apps, brochures, maps, and media releases.

Group Discussion Topics

People have been using waterways for thousands of years. Please describe some of the more significant early uses of waterways and give an example of one water route in Michigan that was historically used for more than recreational purposes.

What are some key considerations that trail managers must keep in mind when planning and developing water trails that do not apply to land-based trails? Please describe a proposal that would result in a interconnected multi state system of water trails. How might land based trails be incorporated into such a system?

References

American Trails. n.d. National Recreation Trail Finder. Nrtapplication.org. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://www.nrtapplication.org/trails/finder?agency=all&state=all&trailType=73551&keywords=

Austin, John and Alan Steinman. March 2015. Michigan Blue Economy: Making Michigan the World’s Freshwater & Freshwater Innovation Capital. Ann Arbor: Michigan Economic Center at Prima Civitas. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://michiganblueeconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Michigan-Blue-Economy-Report.pdf

Blueways of St. Clair. n.d. “Blueways of St. Clair.” Blueways of St. Clair. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.bluewaysofstclair.org/

Bonsall, Peter, Alison Bullock, Mike Passo, Candace Gallagher, and Mike Bullington. n.d. National Water Trails: Designating Your Trail for NWT Status. Presentation. American Trails. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://cdn2.assets-servd.host/material-civet/production/images/documents/PowerPoint-Presentation-National-Water-Trails-Designating-Your-Trail-for-NWT-Status.pdf?dm=1688595675

Burkholder, Harry and Matt Cowall. August 2017. “Water Trails: Michigan’s emerging trail trend.” Michigan Township Focus. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.mparks.org/resource/collection/099A0F9F-56F6-4DF2-BFA1-FAC42C2EDCD0/Water%20trails%20Michigan%E2%80%99s%20emerging%20trail%20trend.pdf

Crokett, Mary. n.d. What’s in a Name? Does the name describe the trail? Presentation. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://cdn2.assets-servd.host/material-civet/production/images/documents/WaterTrCrockett08.pdf?dm=1620062733

Hark, Peter. November 15, 2008. Minnesota’s Water Trail Program. Presentation. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://cdn2.assets-servd.host/material-civet/production/images/documents/PeterHarkWaterTrails08.pdf?dm=1620062728

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). n.d. “Coastal Management.” Michigan.gov. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/coastal-management

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). n.d.a. Pure Michigan Trail and Trail Town Designation Program Application Handbook. Lansing: DNR. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/PRD/Trails/PureMiTrailsHandbook.pdf?rev=595bc84e66a747ab91260f3cce905b73&hash=D614023B93814D690540EB88063AA11B

———. n.d.b. “Water Trails.” Michigan.gov. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-trails/water-trails

———. n.d.c. “Waterways Commission.” Michigan.gov. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/boards/waterways

Michigan Legislature. February 2023. The Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963. Lansing: Michigan Legislature. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/MIConstitution.pdf

———. n.d.a. “Part 721: Michigan Trailways.” NREPA (Excerpt): Act 451 of 1994. Accessed May 13, 2024. http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-451-1994-III-4-1-TRAILWAYS-721

———. n.d.b. “Part 781: Michigan State Waterways Commission.” NREPA (Excerpt): Act 451 of 1994. Accessed May 13, 2024. http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-451-1994-III-4-4-GENERAL-781

———. n.d.c. “Senate Bill 0415 (2001).” Legislature.mi.gov. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2001-SB-0415

Michigan Sea Grant. n.d. “What we do.” Michigan Sea Grant. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.michiganseagrant.org/about/what-we-do/

Michigan Water Trails. October 2021. Michigan Water Trails Manual, Second Edition. Traverse City: Land Information Access Association. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://www.michiganwatertrails.org/downloads/michigan_water_trails_manual_2021.pdf

———. n.d. “Home.” Michigan Water Trails. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.michiganwatertrails.org/

National Park Service (NPS). April 24, 2019. “National Trails System Act Legislation.” National Park Service. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationaltrailssystem/national-trails-system-act-legislation.htm

Outdoor Industry Association. 2015. 2015 Special Report on Paddlesports. Golden: The Coleman Company, Inc. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://outdoorindustry.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2015-Paddlesports-Research.pdf

Paddle Antrim. n.d. “About Paddle Antrim” Paddle Antrim. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.paddleantrim.com/about-paddle-antrim/

River Management Society. n.d. “Water Trails Management.” River Management Society. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.river-management.org/water-trails

Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development. December 2013. Huron River Water Trail Economic Impact Analysis. Ann Arbor: Huron River Watershed Council. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/shiawasseeriver/pages/150/attachments/original/1459129964/HRWT_Economic_Impact_Report.pdf?1459129964

West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC). n.d. “Water Trails.” WMEAC. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://wmeac.org/solution/west-michigan-water-trail/

  1. Additional background and history of water trails in Michigan is examined in more detail in other chapters of this book. ↵
  2. See Appendix A for the complete text of the Michigan Trailways Act (Part 721 of NREPA); MCL 324.72101 to 324.72118 ↵
  3. See Appendix A for the complete text of Part 781 of NREPA (Michigan State Waterways Commission); MCL 324.78101 to 324.78119 ↵

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Trail Building Law and Policy Copyright © 2025 by Bob Wilson and Anna Lee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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