Torch River Boat Launch

44 trailer spots sounds decent, but on summer weekends that lot across the street fills by mid-morning. If you're late, you're unloading kayaks or boats at the ramp and then driving a mile down the road to find a shoulder to park on. Get there early or plan for a hike back.

The famous sandbar is a short paddle from the launch, and it draws a crowd. By 9 or 10 AM on Saturdays, the water around the bar is wall-to-wall pontoons and rafted-up boats. If you want a mellow float, go weekday mornings — totally different vibe.

Two lanes handle decent volume, but only if people are ready to go. Have your plug in, straps off, and electronics loaded before you back down. The ramp area gets bottlenecked fast when someone's rigging up in the lane while a line of trailers builds behind them.

Parking is across the street by the private marina, but the permit paperwork is back at the launch itself. So you end up crossing the road twice if you don't know the drill. Grab your permit first, then move the truck and trailer to the lot.

Torch River connects to Torch Lake, and the water clarity here is unreal — that Caribbean turquoise color isn't exaggerated. Sandy bottom at the launch makes for easy loading, but the soft sand can grab your trailer tires if you drift off the hard surface.