This page is based on my experience renting a recreational kayak and paddling the
The Menominee River serves as the border between Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and empties into Green Bay. At it's mouth, on
While the majority of the Menominee River runs west to east, as you can see on the map below in Marinette and Menominee counties the river runs mostly north to south. Also note that each county has a road that somewhat parallels the river. On the Wisconsin side of the river the road is

Near the top of the above map you'll see an east/west road labeled G-08 that runs over the river. On the Wisconsin side of the river this is
Launch Sites
Thanks to Marinette County the
Wisconsin side of the river has several convenient launch sites denoted by the four red numbers on the following modified map. The variety of distances from the twin cities to these launch sites offers work-out options for recreational kayakers of all levels. And there's no law that says you can't simply kayak between two of these launch sites if shorter distances are desired. The GPS coordinates for the launch sites listed below were taken off of Google Maps at the launch site ramp at the river's edge so they can be used by both driver and kayaker.
Note that Marinette County has drop-boxes and envelopes so that you can deposit a $3 per vehicle fee (as of this writing) for use of the boat launch.
The numbers of the following launch sites correspond to the red numbers on the above map.
1 - McAllister Boat Launch
GPS Coordinates: 45.325865,-87.663279
McAllister Boat Launch Click photo to enlarge | McAllister Boat Launch Ramp Beneath Bridge Click photo to enlarge |
At close to 20 miles from the twin cities this is for kayakers who want a good work-out. The launch is on the south side of the McAllister Bridge. Unlike the other launch sites, you may want to access this site from Menominee County. If you look closely at the above map you'll see that
Like most of the Marinette County boat launches, there is no dock at the launch ramp. However, all you have to do is place your kayak at the water line of the ramp, climb in, and push yourself off with your paddle.
2 - Menominee River Park
GPS Coordinates: 45.279495,-87.699583
Menominee River Park Boat Launch Click photo to enlarge | Menominee River Park Boat Launch From River Click photo to enlarge |
The small, green square at the base of the number 2 on the modified map above is Marinette County's Menominee River Park. As you drive into the park the road forks. Stay to your right to get to the boat launch.
This park is approximately 14 miles from the twin cities and is located at
3 - Twin Island Wayside
GPS Coordinates: 45.259869,-87.712524
Twin Island Wayside From River Click photo to enlarge | Menominee County River Park From River Click photo to enlarge |
Just a mile or so south of Menominee River Park on Highway 180 is a wayside that's right on the river. This wayside does not have a boat launch but it does have a path right down to the river. It is not known if the Marinette County sheriffs department would have a problem with someone launching or landing a kayak here so use at your own risk but, hey, it just says "wayside" and doesn't specify for what types of vehicles.
As you can see in the photo below, the water here is pretty shallow. If the water level in this section of the river is ever extremely low due to drought conditions you may have to walk your kayak over the rocks here. However, it does drop off quickly so be alert.
Right across the river from the wayside on the Michigan side of the river is a Menominee County park called "River Park" which is not to be confused with Marinette County's "Menominee River Park" about a mile up river. Menominee County's "River Park" did not appear to have any type of formal boat launch but it seems to provide sufficient shore line access to launch or exit on the Michigan side of the river if you so desire. The park is located on Menominee County Road 581 (River Road).
4 - County Road G Boat Launch
GPS Coordinates: 45.195286,-87.742230
![]() Satellite View of CR G Boat Launch | CR G Boat Launch Ramp From River Click photo to enlarge |
Actually, this boat launch is about a mile north of County Road G on Highway 180. I just didn't know what else to call it. (Some of the Marinette County boat launches have names and some don't.) At 8 miles from the twin cities this is your closest option if you wish to paddle into Marinette or Menominee.
Even though, as you can tell from the above satellite view, there is a lot of open area at this boat launch, it's not easy to spot from the river because the bank is over-grown. If you're planning on ending your trip here, or just want to take a break, you'll have to watch for the multi-colored invasive species sign (yellow arrow) that is at all Wisconsin boat launch ramps.
In addition, don't assume you'll have cell phone service along the river. I have
There is one landmark that is easy to spot from a distance to help you judge your progress. As you can see in the photo below, there is a power line pole sticking up out of the trees on the Michigan side of the river. As you make it around the bend in the river you'll begin to see that the power lines actually cross over the river and there's another pole on the Wisconsin side. When you cross under these power lines you're about two miles from the Menominee cemetery destination boat launch.
Power Line Pole Marks 2 Miles Out
Click photo to enlarge
There are two destination sites, one on each side of the river, that you can chose from; (1) a boat launch next to the Menominee cemetery and (2) the Cox boat launch on the Wisconsin side near the Marinette city limits. While not shown on most mapping sites, there is a dam
![]() | ![]() |
As you can see on the map above, the river widens considerably in the area of the Menominee cemetery. As seen in the photo below, when you are approaching this area the back of the
Back of Dam On Right with Cemetery to Its Left
Click photo to enlarge
1. Cemetery Boat Launch - Michigan
GPS Coordinates: 45.115497,-87.658684
Menominee County maintains a boat launch on the north edge of Riverside Cemetery. There is a pay station there but it's apparent from the state of disrepair that it hasn't been used in quite some time and there's no way you would want to leave money there. Essentially this boat launch offers free, although very weedy, access. The advantage of this site is that the boat launch access road merges onto
Approaching Cemetery On Michgan Side of River Click photo to enlarge | ![]() Satellite View of Menominee Boat Launch Site |
2. Cox Boat Launch - Wisconsin
GPS Coordinates: 45.107888,-87.664142
Located on Highway 180 at the city line, Marinette County operates the Cox boat launch so the requested $3 fee is involved if you wish to exit here. There is a dock at this boat launch but at moderate to low water levels it's too high off of the water to be of any use to kayakers. The advantage of this site is its convenient location relative to drop-off sites further up

Cox Boat Launch on Highway 180 at Left - Dam on Right
Kayak Rental
The only place my father was able to find that rents kayaks in the Marinette/Menominee area was:
Cycle Path - Closed on Sundays
2329 13th St.
Menominee, MI
906-863-9361
www.cyclepath360.com
(He couldn't find anywhere around the twin cities that rents canoes.) Unfortunately

US Highway 41 is the main drag through both Marinette and Menominee and Cycle Path is easily accessible from it. When you go over the Interstate Bridge (which is

When leaving Cycle Path, if you wish to go north towards
Local Dining Tips
In Marinette
As you enter Marinette from the south on US Highway 41 (1710 Marinette Ave) you'll see a small white building with big red "EAT" signs. It's the home of Mickey-Lu Bar-B-Q. (In many areas of the country "bar-b-q" means ribs and shoulders and such but in this area it's synonymous with charcoal grilling.) This little out-of-the-way burger joint was picked as having the best hamburgers in the state of Wisconsin in a

Another unique thing about this restaurant is that it hasn't changed since the 1940s. It's a neat place with great food that's worth a visit. Just be aware that they are closed on Mondays and don't take credit or debit cards or checks so bring plenty of cash (because you'll probably eat more than you planned).
Check out this YouTube video of a report by a Green Bay TV station when they visited Mickey-Lu's.
In Menominee | ![]() |
The pasty (past ee) is Upper Peninsula soul food. It's meat and vegetables wrapped up in a thin crust slowly baked to a golden brown. It was brought to the US by Cornish miners migrating to U.P. copper and iron mines because it makes for a hearty, but easy to carry and heat, lunch. The traditional pasty, sometimes referred to as a "Michigan Miner's Pasty," contains ground beef, potatoes, and rudabaga (aka "Swedish turnip").

Located right on US Highway 41 in Menominee
Alma Mater
If you found this page helpful and feel it may have saved you time and money, please consider donating a tax-deductible contribution to my high school alma mater's foundation. Given that your donation will go into an endowment fund which generates annual returns, your gift will continue giving every year for years to come.
Marinette Catholic Central Foundation
PO Box 762
Marinette, WI 54143
715-735-6839
www.thomas-aquinas.org/about/more/foundation/
Please note that the foundation is staffed by alumni who volunteer their time so you may not get an immediate response to communications but, rest assured, you will get a response.
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