Lower Rouge River Water Trail

Lower Rouge River Water Trail Events

Main Branch of the Rouge River

October 24, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The 2020 trip will start and end at the Melvindale Boat Launch located behind the Kessey Fieldhouse, 4300 S Dearborn St, Melvindale, MI 48122.  We will paddle upstream to the partially restored oxbow at Greenfield Village and up to the fishway being installed around the Fair Lane Estate. The trip will take 2-3 hours and is an open route that is suitable for canoes or kayaks.  Wayne County Park will have a limited number of aluminum canoes available.  Please register to let us know you are coming and to reserve a boat.

Sign up waiver and health screening

Wayne County has a limited number of canoes.

I want to reserve a canoe

Because any in-person contact risks spreading the disease, Friends of the Rouge requires all participants to abide by the following procedures until further notice.

1. All volunteers must pre-screen themselves prior to their participation.
2. Face coverings must be worn.
3. Six-foot distancing must be maintained.
4. Any change in health status within 14 days of the event must be reported back to Friends of the Rouge.
5. Sign our waiver.

Kayak the Industrial Rouge

(2020 Trip was cancelled)

September 11, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This one and a half to two-hour trip begins at the Melvindale Boat Launch, travels past the Ford Rouge complex, under historic suspension bridges, past Zug Island and the take out is on the Detroit River at Belanger Park in River Rouge. Riverside Kayak Connection has partnered yearly with Friends of the Rouge since 2007 on this tour.

Full Details

Please Note

The water is generally safe for boating if there has been no heavy rain or snowmelt; swimming is not recommended.

The Lower Rouge River Water Trail is a consortium of interested groups and communities and is a project of the Lower Rouge River Water Trail Leadership Committee. Contact us through info@therouge.org.