Paddling Trips
Come Paddle with Us!
The 2025 Lower Rouge Water Trail Paddle Trip Schedule is now available!
We will also offer two Learn to Paddle Events this season. One on Saturday, May 10 at Nankin Lake and a second on Saturday, July 19 at Ford Field Park. Stay tuned for registration details.
2025 Lower Rouge River Water Trail Paddle Trip Schedule
If you are an experienced paddler, or if you have never paddled before, we’ve got a trip for you! Don’t miss your chance to paddle the Rouge! Register below to join us for a paddle trip on the Rouge during the 2025 paddling season!
Boat rental fee is $50, includes canoe or kayak, pfd, paddles, and shuttle service. There is a $15 service fee for paddlers bringing their own boat. ALL FEES DUE IN ADVANCE.
End of Winter Paddle Trip – Saturday, March 22 (Ford Field Park)
Join us for a self-return paddle trip beginning at Ford Field Park to mark the end of winter and the beginning of Spring!! We will meet at 9:30am. Boat rental fee is $50, includes canoe or kayak, pfd, paddles, and shuttle service. There is a $15 service fee for paddlers bringing their own boat. ALL FEES DUE IN ADVANCE.
REGISTER TODAY AT: https://motorcitycanoerental.com/fotr-events.php
*PADDLING IN WINTER IS FOR EXPERIENCED PADDLERS. ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A PERSONAL FLOATATION DECEIVE. WE RECOMMEND THATPADDLERS DRESS IN LAYERS AND WEAR A THICK WOOLLY HAT. A DRY SUIT IS THE BEST WINTER PADDLING SOLUTION, WE ALSO SUGGEST THAT YOU WEAR A THICK WARM PADDLER’S CAG. POGIES. NEOPRENE GLOVES, AND THICK WARM WATERPROOF BOOTS. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT PADDLERS BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES. LASTLY, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING A DRY BAG TO STORE ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR SNACKS.
Open Water Birding Paddle Trip – Saturday, May 10 (Nankin Lake)
Friends of the Rouge and the Detroit Bird Alliance will host a Spring Open Water Birding Paddle Trip on Nankin Lake! Come explore the bird species of the Rouge! On past trips we have sighted over 30 different species of birds. We will meet at 9:30am at the Nankin Lake Boat Launch. If you love birding and you love to paddle, this is the trip for you! Boat rental fee is $50, includes canoe or kayak, pfd, paddles, and shuttle service. There is a $15 service fee for paddlers bringing their own boat. ALL FEES DUE IN ADVANCE.
Pride Paddle Trip presented by the Queer Outdoors – Saturday, May 17 (Dearborn)
Join Friends of the Rouge and the Queer Outdoors for a paddle trip on the Lower Rouge River from Dearborn Hills Golf Course to Ford Field Park. The Queer Outdoors is the queer friendly hiking/foraging/camping group! The group welcomes all and encourages respect for each other’s pronouns and identities.We will meet at 9:30am at Dearborn Hills Golf Course. Boat rental fee is $50 includes canoe or kayak, pfd, paddles, and shuttle service. There is a $15 service fee for paddlers bringing their own boat.
Canton River Days – June 7 (Morton-Taylor Trailhead)
Canton Leisure Services will host an array of activities along its greenway trails network throughout the day including trail hikes, building birdhouses, and of course, Friends of the Rouge will be there for its 2nd annual paddle trip as a part of Canton River Days. Paddlers meet at the Morton-Taylor Trailhead in Canton and paddle downstream to the Lilley Road Bridge.
National Canoe Day 2025 – Saturday, June 21 (Venoy Dorsey Park)
Experience a guided paddling trip on the Lower Rouge River from Venoy Dorsey Park Golf Course to Colonial Park in Inkster to celebrate National Canoe Day. We will meet at 9:30am at Venoy Dorsey Park. Boat rental fee is $50, includes canoe or kayak, pfd, paddles, and shuttle service. There is a $15 service fee for paddlers bringing their own boat.
REGISTER TODAY AT: https://motorcitycanoerental.com/events.php?v=fotr
The Black Pack Paddle Trip – Saturday, July 19, 9:30am – 12pm
Join Friends of the Rouge and The Black Pack for a paddle trip from Dearborn Hills Golf Course to Ford Field Park on Saturday, July 19, from 9:30am – 12:00pm. The Black Pack creates opportunities for Black, indigenous, and people of color to experience the outdoors through mentorship and special events!
There is a $50 boat rental fee that includes shuttle service. There is a $15 service charge if you are bringing your own boat.
REGISTER TODAY AT: http://motorcitycanoerental.com/black-paddle-trip-24
Summer Magic Paddle Trip & Health Fair– presented by the Inkster Task Force – Saturday, August 2, 9:30am – 1pm
Sign up for the Inkster Summer Magic Paddle Trip & Health Fair presented by the Inkster Task Force on Saturday, August 2, from 9:30am – 1:00pm. We will meet at Venoy-Dorsey Park and paddle downstream to Colonial Park.
The event will also feature a Health Fair at Colonial Park from 11am – 1:30pm. Experience the Friends of the Rouge Dry Dock Pop Up and MetroParks outdoor games and a boys and girls bike raffle!
There is a $50 boat rental fee that includes shuttle service. There is a $15 service charge if you are bringing your own boat. Health Fair admission is free.
REGISTER TODAY AT: https://motorcitycanoerental.com/events.php?v=fotr
Industrial Paddle Trip – Saturday, September 13, 9:30am – 1pm
Paddle the Industrial Channel of the Rouge River beginning at Melvindale’s Kessey Field House and ending at Belanger Park in River Rouge on the Detroit River. See the original Ford Rouge Complex, one of a kind drawbridges and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge. There is a $50 boat rental fee that includes shuttle service. There is a $15 service charge if you are bringing your own boat. Participants bringing their own boat, must have a double hulled kayak and personal flotation device (PFD).
Fall Open Water Birding Paddle Trip Newburgh Lake – Saturday, October 4, 9:00am – 12pm
Friends of the Rouge and the Detroit Bird Alliance host its Fall Open Water Birding Paddle Trip on Newburgh Lake. See the amazing fall colors and explore the bird species of the Rouge! If you love birding and you love to paddle, this is the trip for you!
REGISTER TODAY AT: https://motorcitycanoerental.com/events.php?v=fotr
Haunted Paddle Trip – Saturday, October 18, 10:00am – 1pm
Be prepared for a scare! Friends of the Rouge will host its annual Haunted Paddle Trip on the Rouge. Paddle from Dearborn Hills Golf Course to Ford Field Park and experience the spooky scenes created by Friends of the Rouge and community partners! See the Bog Monster, the Killer Clown, and the Rouge Witches. Don’t be afraid!
Friends of the Rouge will also host its annual Fall Festival. Come join in the fun! All are welcome for s’mores and Halloween fun at Ford Field Park from 11am to 1pm on Saturday October 18! FOTR is also looking for costumed volunteers to assist with the event. If you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions about this spooky fun event, email our trails manager, Herman Jenkins, at hjenkins@therouge.org.
VOLUNTEER! JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE ROUGE TRIP CREW!
Friends of the Rouge is looking for experienced paddlers to support its planned paddle trips during the 2025 season to help ensure a safe and fun paddling experience on the Lower Rouge River Water Trail. To sign up, click the button below, or for more information contact: Herman Jenkins: Friends of the Rouge Trails Manager at hjenkins@therouge.org
For more information on the Lower Rouge River Water Trail and how you can be involved, email Herman Jenkins, at hjenkins@therouge.org.
Join the Rouge Paddling Group on
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.