Michigan's Inland Waterway
Michigan's Inland Waterway is one of the state's best-kept secrets — a 40-mile chain of interconnected lakes, rivers, and portages connecting Crooked Lake near Indian River north to Lake Huron at Cheboygan. In the 19th century, steamboats ran the entire route carrying passengers from the Straits to inland resorts. Today the route is paddled by canoeists and kayakers, traversed by motorboats, and fished by anglers who know that the chain contains exceptional walleye, bass, and pike populations.
Indian River sits at the center of the chain on Burt Lake, Michigan's seventh-largest inland lake. The town of 2,000 year-round residents is the practical base for exploring the waterway and the broader Cheboygan County outdoor recreation network.
Paddling the Inland Waterway
The classic waterway paddle goes from Indian River to Cheboygan over 4-5 days with camping at designated sites on the lakes and portages around the dams. Day sections are equally worthwhile: the Crooked River between Crooked Lake and Burt Lake is a gentle, cedar-lined stream that takes about 3 hours to paddle. The Cheboygan River from Mullett Lake to Lake Huron is a wider, more challenging downstream float with excellent bird watching. Canoe and kayak rentals are available in Indian River; shuttle services operate throughout the summer.
Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake State Park on the north shore of Burt Lake provides 375 campsites in a classic northern Michigan setting — mature second-growth forest, sandy beach, and easy lake access. The campground fills for the 4th of July and Labor Day weekends; reservations open 6 months in advance. The swimming beach is excellent, and the boat launch gives access to the full Burt Lake fishery. Summer campfire programs run Thursday and Saturday evenings.
The Cross in the Woods
Indian River is home to the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods, a Catholic pilgrimage site that draws over 200,000 visitors annually. The 31-foot carved wooden cross is the largest in the world, and the shrine's grounds include a Nun Doll museum (an unusual collection of dolls dressed as religious sisters from around the world) and a beautiful woodland meditation path. Regardless of religious affiliation, the setting is genuinely peaceful and worth a quiet visit. Indian River events include the annual fall pilgrimage and Christmas at the Cross winter celebrations.
Fishing the Waterway
The Indian River area is a serious fishing destination. Burt Lake has a well-established walleye population; Mullett Lake to the east is known for trophy lake trout and salmon. The Pigeon River, flowing south from Cheboygan County into the interior, is a blue-ribbon trout stream in the Pere Marquette tradition. Charter fishing guides operating out of Indian River specialize in the lake chain; fly fishing guides cover the Pigeon River.
Cheboygan County Events
The broader Cheboygan County area — including Cheboygan, Topinabee, and Mullett Lake — has a robust community events calendar including county fairs, summer concert series, and annual fishing tournaments. The Indian River events page and county tourism resources list current programming for the inland waterway region.
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