What’s happening: The continued development of a northern Michigan water trail has a new guiding document that stakeholders believe can help grow the trail as a recreation destination and economic driver for the region, and all the while preserving and improving the natural environment. The Paddle Antrim nonprofit announced the publication of their
2025 Chain of Lakes Water Trail Plan in late January.
What it is: The Chain of Lakes Water Trail includes 12 lakes and rivers interconnected throughout Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska counties, offering more than 100 miles of uninterrupted paddling in northwest Michigan. The State-Designated Water Trail officially debuted in 2021 and currently provides 84 public access sites made possible through partnerships with local governments, private landowners, and area conservation groups.
Why it’s important: “The Chain of Lakes Water Trail is more than a paddling route; it’s a community-driven effort to protect, connect, and educate,” reads a statement from Deana Jerdee, executive director at Paddle Antrim, the local nonprofit that hosts the trail. “Our new plan reflects the feedback from paddlers, access site owners, and local businesses ensuring that we’re meeting the needs of all stakeholders while preserving the natural beauty of this treasured resource.”
What’s coming: The
2025 Plan incorporates responses from a 2024 community survey in its vision for the water trail’s future. That includes enhanced bathroom facilities, more accessible launch points, improved signage and directional markers, and more. Preservation efforts will include natural shoreline maintenance and the installation of boat washing stations to bolster invasive species prevention efforts.
“This plan underscores our commitment to creating a water trail that not only serves as a premier recreational destination but also fosters environmental stewardship and economic vitality,” says Jerdee. “We look forward to working with our partners and the community to bring these improvements to life.”
Visit Paddle Antrim online to learn more about the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, the nonprofit organization itself, and more.
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