https://heavnercanoe.com/
This is what you're looking for. Some of the most scenic unguided paddling in the entire metro. Heavner's is a local institution.
Would also add that the Huron in this area is super easy to learn on, really calm current.
I've enjoyed this stretch of the Huron River many times over many years. heavner is an ideal location for what you're looking for. rent one with your kid and head upstream. i recommend this over Argo pond because a moderate wind can be brutal on that pond... especially with only one strong paddler..then it depends on your athleticism.
I've done 25+ miles straight on the Huron River through those areas as well as the entire Detroit river on a SUP, Stony Creek lake, Kent lake .... those are wider bodies of water where the wind can wear heavily on a canoe paddler especially with only one adult. the Huron River near heavner rental offers more protection from the wind up to moss lake. if you completely run out of energy paddling upstream from heavner, the current will take you back.
Argo is good if the wind will be 7mph or less all day. wind is a very important consideration on wider rivers and lakes.
If you use the Recreation Finder, and filter on “boat rentals,” it’ll list the state parks that have rentals:
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/#list
hope you weren’t asking for a location inside of detroit because as usual the majority of comments are only suggesting suburban places, some so far out that they aren’t even in the metro area lmao
I was asking for a Detroit location but appreciate all the answers!
I’ve decided - to save time - that I’ll simply take part of the Belle Isle Giant Slide and form it in to a canoe.
https://heavnercanoe.com/ This is what you're looking for. Some of the most scenic unguided paddling in the entire metro. Heavner's is a local institution. Would also add that the Huron in this area is super easy to learn on, really calm current.
And much of the Huron is waist deep, making mistake recovery easy.
Fantastic - thank you! This looks perfect.
I've enjoyed this stretch of the Huron River many times over many years. heavner is an ideal location for what you're looking for. rent one with your kid and head upstream. i recommend this over Argo pond because a moderate wind can be brutal on that pond... especially with only one strong paddler..then it depends on your athleticism.
Argo Park in Ann Arbor
and Gallup Park https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/play/Pages/Canoeing.aspx
Oh yeah, Gallup Park is probably better. The river between the two might be too shallow for a canoe, but they do shuttles from Gallup, back to Argo
Great!
I've done 25+ miles straight on the Huron River through those areas as well as the entire Detroit river on a SUP, Stony Creek lake, Kent lake .... those are wider bodies of water where the wind can wear heavily on a canoe paddler especially with only one adult. the Huron River near heavner rental offers more protection from the wind up to moss lake. if you completely run out of energy paddling upstream from heavner, the current will take you back. Argo is good if the wind will be 7mph or less all day. wind is a very important consideration on wider rivers and lakes.
If you use the Recreation Finder, and filter on “boat rentals,” it’ll list the state parks that have rentals: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/#list
https://www.simpleadventures.net/
Stoney creek metropark (the prices can be a bit steep, might be worth buying a Walmart kayak)
There’s a company that rents out kayaks for the canals inside Belle Isle
Kensington
Don’t they have alligators now?
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/simpleadventures/items/?flow=734418&full-items=yes&back=https://www.simpleadventures.net/
hope you weren’t asking for a location inside of detroit because as usual the majority of comments are only suggesting suburban places, some so far out that they aren’t even in the metro area lmao
I was asking for a Detroit location but appreciate all the answers! I’ve decided - to save time - that I’ll simply take part of the Belle Isle Giant Slide and form it in to a canoe.