Water Trails

Adventurers can enjoy hundreds of miles of waterways in Northwest Indiana. Paddlers can experience no-wake lakes or the expansive waters along the South Shore of our Great Lake, Lake Michigan. Streams and rivers intersect throughout the Region, for quick trips or day-long adventures.

Enjoy hundreds of miles of blueways with numerous access points, many of which are ADA compliant from the Kankakee River in the south to Lake Michigan in the north.

Download a map of the South Shore’s trail systems, including waterways and hiking and biking trails. 

STAY SAFE! 

Northwest Indiana Paddling Association has safety information specific to paddling in the region here.

Watersport Rentals

For those without their own watercraft, J & M Excursions offers tandem and single kayak, canoe or pedal boat rentals to use on the peaceful lagoon at Marquette Park. Learn more about J & M Excursions here.

Near Lake Michigan? Stop by the Camp Stop General Store & Beach Shop in Beverly Shores to rent bikes, kayaks or paddle boards. Call ahead for prices and availability 219-878-1382. 

Harbor Country Adventures in Michigan City offers wave runner rentals for Lake Michigan and kayak (single and double) and paddleboard rentals along Trail Creek. If you prefer letting someone else do the work, they also offer tours that cruise along Lake Michigan.

Paddle on Cedar Lake with Bugaboat Rentals (an affiliate of Bugaboo's Bar and Grill). Single, 2-3 person and kids kayaks are available as well as paddle boards. Call ahead for prices and availability 219-390-7232.

The City of Hammond has watercraft rentals for use on Wolf Lake. Call Wolf Lake Security at 219-655-5212 for availability. Payment and rentals take place at the Wolf Lake Aquatic Center/Splash Pad.

Suggested Kayaking and Canoeing Trips:
 

Cedar Lake

Take a tour around Cedar Lake, a predominantly residential lake, in southern Lake County. Cedar Lake’s public access site is located on the north end of the lake near the Cedar Lake Chamber offices at 7925 Lake Shore Drive. Parking is $10 during the summer from 9 am to 6 pm, and free the rest of the year. You may launch 24 hours a day if the water is open. Many also fish from the breakwater there. Visit cedarlakechamber.com for more information and special events happening around the lake.

If you'd prefer a more relaxing trip across the water, ride the Dewey Line while learning about Cedar Lake's resort-era history through the Museum at Lassen's Resort.
 

Deep River Water Trail

The Deep River Water Trail offers 16 miles of trail with numerous access sites along the way. Stretches of this trail offer plenty of scenery and primitive shorelines. An excellent paddling experience for all ages and skill levels.

Plan your trip along the Deep River Water Trail here with info from the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association.
 

Kankakee River, A National Water Trail

Kayak or canoe along the Kankakee River, recently designated a National Water Trail, covering more than 130 miles from Indiana to Illinois. The Kankakee River offers easy paddling and fishing in a rural setting, with numerous launch sites along the route.

​Plan your trip along the Kankakee River Water Trail here with info from the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association.

Lake Michigan Water Trail

Experience the diverse shoreline that embodies Northwest Indiana, from the beaches, dunes and forests of the Indiana Dunes to the industrial hubs and ports. Paddlers can enjoy more than 75 miles along Lake Michigan, from Chicago to New Buffalo. Paddlers, planners and access site owners in four states along the lake are working to develop what will be the longest continuous loop of freshwater sea kayaking in the world!

Plan your trip along the Lake Michigan Water Trail here with info from the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association.