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Sea Kayaking in the Midwest
Midwest Living Senior Travel Editor Linda Ryberg recommends kayaking the Lake Superior Water Trail. The most popular 19-mile stretch of the trail is between Gooseberry Falls State Park (40 miles northeast of Duluth) and Tettegouche State Park near Silver Bay. Along the way, you'll paddle past rocky beaches and soaring cliffs, and see some of Superior's most famous landmarks, including Split Rock Lighthouse. Kayakers can overnight at camping areas accessible only from the lake, as well as at lodgings on the shore. To get a free map, contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (888/646-6367). For kayak rentals and guided-tour information, contact: Superior Coastal Sports, Grand Marais (800/720-2809).
Lake Superior waters supply more prime territory for sea kayaking around Apostle Islands National Lakeshore off northwestern Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula (80 miles east of Duluth/Superior). From your kayak, you can view wave-carved rock formations and explore lake caves. Trek & Trail in Bayfield rents kayaks and stages kayak instruction, day trips and outings that include overnight camping (800/354-8735).
In the northwestern corner of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you can kayak the 47-mile Portage Lake segment of the Keweenaw Water Trail. It's relatively easy paddling in this sheltered channel across the Hancock/Houghton area of this 70-mile-long finger of land jutting into Lake Superior. For a more challenging adventure, the trail continues into Lake Superior, looping around the peninsula's tip near Copper Harbor. For more information and a waterproof map ($6, including postage and handling), contact: Keweenaw Tourism Council (800/338-7982). For kayak rentals, day trips and instruction, contact: Keweenaw Adventure Company, Copper Harbor (906/289-4303).
Keweenaw Adventure Company also rents kayaks for exploring around Lake Superior's Isle Royale, the only island chain in the national park system. The Isle Royale Queen III ferry carries kayaks and paddlers to the island from Copper Harbor.
By Barbara Humeston, Contributing Editor, Midwest Living
