Forks Boat Launch

There's no real boat ramp here — zero lanes, just a carry-down access point next to the campground. This is kayak and canoe territory. If you're trying to trailer anything in, look elsewhere.

Forks is a key put-in or take-out for Boardman River paddles. You can start at Supply Road and pull out here, or launch at Forks and float down to where the old Brown Bridge Dam was removed. Plan your shuttle ahead — cell service is spotty on these back roads.

The Boardman is a Type 1 Trout Stream, so fishing access at this launch is only open from the last Saturday in April through September 30th. Don't assume you can wet a line year-round just because you can get to the water.

Only 7 trailer spots, and they share the area with campers using the adjacent 9-site campground. On summer weekends the lot fills fast. If you're just dropping kayaks, unload quickly and be ready to get creative with parking.

Only about 20 minutes from Traverse City off a main route, but it has a deep-woods, rustic feel — vault toilets, hand water pump, no trash service so you pack everything out. The river is clear and beautiful here, which is why the campground crowd and the paddling crowd both compete for the same small space.