Paddle Antrim Festival 2026

Join us for the Paddle Antrim Festival, Friday, September 18 - Sunday, September 20, 2026.

The Paddle Antrim Festival celebrates the amazing waterways and communities of Northern Michigan. The Festival, always the second weekend after Labor Day, includes a two-day paddle event through the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Paddle one day or two days and choose the distance that is best for your paddling ability and desired distance/time on the water. 

Important Registration Dates:

• Registration closes September 13 at 11:39 AM
• Prices increase August 1 at 11:59 AM
• Register by August 21 to guarantee a festival t-shirt in your desired size.

View Course Maps HERE

View Festival FAQs HERE

NEW this year! Please note that the Festival is taking place Friday - Sunday (instead of Thursday - Saturday). 

Tandem paddlers please note: each individual participant must complete their own registration. 

Registration Includes the Following:

• Shuttle service (for people not boats - see more information on shuttles below)
• A great time both on and off the water!
• Paddle Antrim Festival t-shirt
• Festival Sticker
• Boat Number
• Waterproof course map
• Motorized boats outlining the route
• Paid security to watch boats overnight 
• Restrooms at each launch and checkpoint
• Kick-off Party in Ellsworth
• Block Party at Short's Brewing Company's Bellaire Beer Garden
• Final Bash at Short's Brewing Company's Elk Rapids Pull Barn

Event Rules

1. HAVE FUN!
2. All participants must be 18 years or older and in proper physical condition to participate.
3. All types of non-motorized kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and surfskis will be allowed for Day 1 and also Day 2 up to Checkpoint 1 (Dockside - 9 miles). All crafts must exit at Dockside unless the criteria below (#4) is met.
4. To paddle Day 2 past Dockside (9 miles), your paddle craft must be one of the following. Each craft will be inspected for compliance, please feel free to contact us if you have questions on your specific boat.  A kayak with water-tight bulkheads in the bow and the stern and a minimum length of 12 feet. Positive secured flotation is allowed in lieu of bulkheads  but may be subject to demonstrating ability to displace enough water to complete a deep-water re-entry. (For flotation bag examples, click here)
         B. A sit on top kayak with a minimum length of 12 feet.
         C. A surfski with a minimum length of 12 feet. A boat leash is required.
         D. A paddle board with a minimum length of 12 feet. A leash is required.
5. A US Coast Guard approved inherently buoyant vest-style personal flotation device (PFD, i.e. life jacket) must be properly worn at all times. No inflatable or belt style life jackets are allowed.
6. PADDLER SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US! A whistle, flares, or other signaling device is required. We recommend paddlers have the ability to do some form of kayak remount or self-rescue. Spray skirts are recommended but only if you  skilled in doing a wet exit while wearing one. Paddlers should never paddle alone, especially in large or rough bodies of waters.
7. All paddlers must attend the safety briefing prior to the paddle and follow the designated course.
8. No alcohol, marijuana, or other substances will be allowed on the water. Paddlers who consume alcohol, marijuana or other substances before or during the event will not be allowed to continue.  
9. No pets or loud music are allowed.
10.  Paddle Antrim reserves the right to change the route or remove any paddler from the event due to any safety concerns.
11. Cancelled registrations made by August 11 are eligible for an 85% refund. Registrations cancelled between  August 12 - September 2 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued after September 2. Transfers of registrations to another individual may be requested at any time

Schedule of Events:

Friday

Festival Prep Paddling Classes

12:00 - 2:00  pm – Festival Prep: Paddling Strokes ($45 registration add-on)
2:30 - 5:00 pm -  Basic Rescue Skills ($55 registration add-on)

Kick-off Party hosted by the Village of Ellsworth

Ellsworth River Park (6625 Bridge St.)

2:00 - 7:00 pm 

• Paddle Expo
• Boat demos
• Paddler Check-in, boat drop off, and boat wash station open.

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Live music
• Food truck

SATURDAY - DAY 1

Paddler Check-in

8:00 - 9:00 am – Ellsworth River Park (Google Directions)

• Packet pick-up
• Breakfast & coffee will be available to those who purchased with registration.
• Hydration station (bring your own refillable water bottle)

Safety Brief

9:00 am – Ellsworth River Park (6625 Bridge St.) - All paddlers must be in attendance.

Full Group Launch!

9:15 am 

Central Lake Finish Line/Checkpoint 1

10:30 am - 1:00 PM Thurston Park (7854 Bradford St)

• Lunch pick-up for paddlers who purchased during registration.
• Pavilion with picnic tables to eat purchased or sack lunch
• Hydration station
• Recovery Snacks
• Restrooms

At 12:45 pm all paddlers who intend to paddle to Bellaire must be past the Central Lake Checkpoint

*Paddlers participating in Day 2 can choose to have their boats portaged to Ohio Street Launch (Day 2 launch location)

Richardi Park Finish Line 

12:30 - 4:00 PM - Richardi Park by the sandy beach

• Cheer on fellow paddlers
• Hydration Station
• Recovery Snacks
• Restrooms

*Paddlers participating in Day 2 can choose to have their boats portaged to Ohio Street Launch (Day 2 launch location). Overnight security provided. 

Short's Beer Garden Party

2:00 - 6:00 pm – Short's Beer Garden (118 N Bridge St, Bellaire) 

• Paddle Antrim merch available for purchase
• Live music
• Local brews
• Food available for purchase

Sunday only paddlers may check-in and pick up packets during the Block Party.  

SUNDAY - DAY 2

• SUNDAY NOTE: To enter Torch Lake on Saturday (passing Dockside), your paddle craft must be one of the following. A sit on top kayak with a minimum length of 12 feet.
• A surfski with a minimum length of 12 feet. A boat leash is required.
• A paddle board with a minimum length of 12 feet. A leash is required.
• A kayak with water-tight bulkheads in the bow and the stern and a minimum length of 12 feet. Positive secured flotation is allowed in lieu of bulkheads  but may be subject to demonstrating ability to displace enough water to complete a deep-water re-entry.
• Each craft will be inspected for compliance, please feel free to contact us if you have questions on your specific boat. 
• If you plan to go the full 42 miles you must pass Torch River Bridge DNR Access site before 2:30 pm.

Paddler Check-in

6:15 - 7:45 am – Ohio Street Launch (google directions)

• Breakfast & lunch pick-up for those who purchased with registration.

Safety Brief  1 - Paddlers going beyond Checkpoint 1 onto Torch Lake

7:15 am – Ohio Street Launch

All paddlers must attend, even those who paddled Friday.

Launch 1: Paddlers going beyond Checkpoint 1 onto Torch Lake

7:30 am 

Safety Brief 2: Paddlers ending at Checkpoint 1 (Dockside Beach)

7:45 am - Ohio Street Launch –  All paddlers must attend, even those who paddled Friday.

Launch 2: Paddlers ending at Checkpoint 1 (Dockside Beach)

8:00 am

Dockside Beach Finish Line/Checkpoint 1 

9:30 am - 12:30 PM 

• Hydration station
• Refueling snacks
• Restrooms
• Dockside Restaurant open at 10 am for spectators and paddlers 

All paddlers who intend to paddle into Torch Lake must leave before 12:30 pm from Dockside beach. 

Torch River Bridge Finish Line/Checkpoint 2

10:30 am - 2:30 pm

• Hydration station
• Refueling snacks
• Restrooms

All paddlers who intend to paddle into past Torch River Bridge must leave by 2:15 pm

Elk Rapids Rotary Park Finish Line

12:00 - 4:30 pm

• Hydration station
• Refueling snacks
• Restrooms

**After 3:00 pm paddlers must exit at the next checkpoint they come to.**

FINAL BASH  - Join us for a great celebration!

2:00 -7:00 pm – hosted  by our top sponsor – Short’s Brewing Company

Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids (211 Industrial Park)

• Paddle Antrim merch available for purchase
• Live music
• Local brews
• Food available for purchase
• Closing ceremony with Paddle Antrim's Executive Director at 5:00 pm - 42 mile hall of fame recognition, five/ten year participant recognition

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service will be provided for people, no boats. Shuttle service is included with all registrations! Your "finish line" location for the day is the location you will drop off your vehicle the morning you paddle (times/locations below). Shuttle buses will pick up passengers and drive you to the launch. This way your vehicle is waiting for you when you get off the water. Boat/equipment must be dropped off at the launch prior to taking the shuttle.

DAY 1:

• Checkpoint 2: Richardi Park parking lot (100 E Antrim St.) – 8:00 am you may need to park along street
• Checkpoint 1: Central Lake Thurston Park Pavilion near playground (Pavilion on State St)  – 8:15 am – parking is along street

DAY 2:

• Checkpoint 4: Elk Rapids Rotary Park (305 US-31) – 6:00 am – Park in parking lot by Swan Statue (not launch)
• Checkpoints 2: Torch River Bridge DNR Parking lot  – 6:15 am – Recreation Passport required
• Checkpoint 1: Dockside Restaurant ( 6340 Old Torch Lake Dr, Bellaire)– 7:00 am– Park in spaces away from restaurant and water, along roadway