McPhee's Landing

This is a carry-in or slide-in launch — there's no concrete ramp. You're working off a short dock that sits low to the water. Flat-bottom boats and small V-hulls up to 16 feet can manage, but you're muscling it in by hand or using the bank. Not the spot for anything heavy on a trailer.

The whole landing floods in spring and fall — it's a low-lying area right on a blackwater river that swells fast. If you show up after heavy rain in April or October, don't be surprised if the dock and parking area are partially underwater. Plan trips for summer or dry stretches.

Horse flies and mosquitoes are brutal here, especially midsummer. The river corridor is shaded and swampy — prime breeding ground. Bring serious repellent or you'll be miserable loading and unloading.

Five trailer spots in a grassy clearing, and honestly that's more than enough — you'll rarely see another vehicle here. The Tahquamenon is only 40-60 feet wide at this point with 4-5 feet of depth, so most folks are heading downstream in canoes, kayaks, or jonboats. Don't expect any shore fishing access; it's really just the dock and the bank.

If you're kayaking the upper Tahquamenon, this is a solid put-in. Beautiful dark tannic water, quiet, and the current is manageable. About a half mile downstream on the north bank there's a sandy pull-out — look for a shovel handle stuck in a tree as your marker. Great for a rest stop or a shorter paddle loop.