Thanks for the help. A little criteria would be a 2-3 day trip with some overnight camping. I live in the southern part. I live on the St.Joe which is beatiful river and a joy to paddle  but same scenary.But am pretty familiar with the whole state. Just trying to get my 2 yr old son used to a canoe trip before we head to Quetico next summer.I have all me own gear,so just looking for some places to put in and maybe a shuttle service.Trying to keep it to a one vehicle trip.

We did a couple trips years ago on the Big Manistee that were fun.  Spartan1 would remember more details than I would about camping opportunities, but we did stay at a small campground for one overnight. 

Last year we attended a paddling seminar and saw a session by Doc Fletcher.  Bought his book entitled Michigan:  Rivers Less Paddled

It has a lot of interesting river trip experiences in it.  I also see that he has another book called Weekend Canoeing in Michigan.  Haven't read that.

This one is from Arbutus Press in Traverse City.

I've paddled the Pine River a couple of times... saw 2 bobcats last year.  If you listed some criteria it would be easier for people to help you.

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What part of Michigan?  The UP has not had alot of rain as of late and rivers west of Delta/Marquette counties are fed mostly by run off.  The Menominee holds her own through the year, has enough length for a 2 day trip and has several (unpublished) campgrounds scattered about.  I would not drink the water due to industrial discharge.  The Fox/Manistique system and the Tahquamenon in the eastern UP have ample flow through the summer because of ground water and spring contribution.  Much of the watersheds to these rivers are public or commercial forestland and state forest campgrounds abound.  Water is drinkable if you filter.  The Escanaba system is very nice, but in my opinion should be run in May/June.  Water levels drop very quickly after the spring run off and the main river widens out over shallow riffles too numerous to count.

Don't rule out day trips on smaller river systems while car camping between runs, i.e. Autrain, Indian, or Two Hearted Rivers.  These can be free from housing development and are more enjoyable. The UP offers much solitude when you get off the beaten path.

Only a sampling here, I'd be happy to share more detail if you need specifics.  

-YB

I live in Duluth, MN and am more familiar with the UP.  There are a number of good places to paddle there.  Sylvania Wilderness near Watersmeet is kind of a mini-BWCA.  The South Branch of the Ontonagon River in the western UP is a great 2-day river trip with some mild rapids along with a couple to be portaged.  It is canoeable most of the summer, although this year is probably really dry by now.  The Escanaba River near Lake Michigan is supposed to be nice.  A great book to check out is Canoeing Michigan Rivers by Jerry Denis.  This book also details rivers in lower Michigan.

Any ideas or known trips that you could do for a couple days here in the Wolverine state? I know there is plenty of water just curious on a course.