Dunbar Boat Launch

Sand builds up on the downriver side of the ramp pretty badly, and there's a nasty hole on the right side just past the last concrete slab. The river current constantly deposits sediment, so conditions change year to year. Walk the ramp before you back in.

When the big freighters pass on the St. Marys River, the water at the mouth gets pulled out fast and then rushes back in hard — almost like a tidal bore. If you're launching or loading when a ship comes through, you can get caught off guard. It's wild to watch, but keep your boat tied off.

This spot doubles as a hangout for folks waiting on the Sugar Island ferry, so the parking area can have extra vehicles that aren't even there to launch. Ten trailer spots fill up quick if a few ferry-waiters park loose. Weekends and smelt season are the worst for it.

If you paddle or motor up the Charlotte River, know that where it forks, one branch is choked with downed trees and the other is full of large rocks. Small boats and kayaks only past the split — anything with a prop is asking for trouble.

The real value here is getting out onto the St. Marys River. The Charlotte itself is tiny, but this launch puts you on big water fast. Just don't expect a polished facility — it's township-managed on leased MSU land, so maintenance cycles are long and improvements are rare.