On beautiful summer days, a good paddling is in order. Here’s a short list of some of the best Indiana rivers to explore for water recreation by kayak or canoe.
Northeast: St. Joseph River
Not to be confused with the other St. Joseph River that runs into Fort Wayne, this stream originates from its namesake town on the banks of Lake Michigan, flowing south across the Indiana state line before turning east toward Mishawaka and Elkhart. The manmade East Race Waterway in South Bend is a popular attraction in the summertime, proposing a nearly 2,000-foot-long urban whitewater rafting course with Class 2 rapids right in the heart of the city. It’s easy for timid types to navigate less turbulent sections of water as well, especially if there’s been lots of rain. If you put in at St. Joseph’s County Park and row the four-ish miles down to Keller Park, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for birds and wildlife sightings.
Mid-North: Wildcat Creek
This scenic tributary starts east of Kokomo, running west and eventually dumping into the Wabash just north of Lafayette, passing by glacial mounds called kames, outcroppings of bedrock and a variety of natural topography along the way. Calling this a creek is something of a misnomer — it’s actually wide enough to be considered a river in many regions and was at one time home to Wea and Shawnee Indian tribes. There’s a choice of access points to the east of Lafayette, and the 53-acre Wildcat Park that sits at the confluence of the canoe/kayak-navigable north and south forks is the most accommodating and well-positioned spot to wrap up a journey.
Mid-North: Tippecanoe River
Winding its way from northeast Indiana’s lakes region from Warsaw to Winamac and on down to Lafayette, the Tippecanoe River served as a major thoroughfare for trading and transportation during the 1600s and 1700s when the Potawatomi tribe occupied its banks. In the 1920s, the channel was dammed to create Lake Freeman and Lake Shafer. Now a haven for birdwatchers, the narrow upper section between Warsaw and the Old Tip Town Access Site is slower paced as it flows through swamps and wetlands. The sandy current widens and picks up the further you get downstream toward Monterey, continuing on to skirt the Winamac Fish and Wildlife Area and the Tippecanoe River State Park in Pulaski County.
Indiana Uplands: Flatrock River
Scenic and serene, the 20 or so miles of Flatrock River above Columbus remain fairly unspoiled thanks to sparse urban development, pretty trees and lots of sand bars where you can pull over to stretch your legs and give your arms a break. Anglers may even want to bring a fishing pole and try their luck casting for catfish and smallmouth bass. If you put in near Norristown at S.R. 9 or State Road 252, or Owen’s Bend at Bartholomew County Park, expect to spend the better part of a morning or afternoon making your way past large boulders and a few log jams down to take-out spots at the U.S. 31 bridge or Mill Race Park.
Southeast: Blue River
Thrilling rapids, quiet stretches, islands, old iron bridges, craggy limestone bluffs, caves sheltering the endangered Indiana bat — the Blue River where it flows through southern Indiana before ultimately dumping into the Ohio River near Leavenworth west of Louisville offers a little something for everyone. Punctuated with deep turquoise-tinted pools, the section that starts 7 or 8 miles north of Milltown down to the remnants of the old Rothrock Mill usually seems to attract the biggest summer crowds. Past that point, the paddling is better left to serious, more experienced kayakers and canoers.
West Central: Sugar Valley
Springing from humble Tipton County origins, the expanse of Sugar Creek from Crawfordsville that flows through Shades State Park and Turkey Run is often considered some of the prettiest paddling territory in the state. Not surprisingly, the waterway sees a lot of recreational traffic during the summer months, meaning you’re likely to find yourself sharing the gentle current with other canoers and kayakers. It’s popular for a reason — along the way, you’ll get an eyeful of idyllic views including covered bridges, rocky sandstone outcroppings and lush natural scenery.
