Little Calumet River — A New ChallengeThis is another waterway which requires some skill and portage abilities, depending on where you go. Working with partners, the park and the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association are working to make sections of the east branch of the Little Calumet River open for recreation. Along this section of the river, there are several new fully developed public access sites. Shirley Heinze Land Trust has two new sites beginning at the Wykes Plampin Nature Preserve at the corner of Indian Boundary and Brummit Road. Additionally, a second site is located on the Keith Ricard Walner Nature Preserve on Taylor Street both in Chesterton. There are undeveloped launch sites at Waverly and Wagner, and Mineral Springs roads. Finally, the park has, as of May 2019, NW Indiana’s newest fully accessible launch site on Howe Road at the historic Camp Goodfellow canoe launch. ![]() A map of the Launch Sites at the Little Calumet River Water Trail East Branch. Safety ConsiderationsWhile the East Branch of the Little Calumet River is relatively shallow, it does have some potentially serious safety issues that must be considered before planning a trip. General Safety Advice
Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity AgreementPaddlesports involve risks and dangers of damage to personal property and serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death. These risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in paddlesports, the condition in which the activity takes place, or the negligence of all property owners, river management agencies, or other organizations involved with river stewardship. By choosing to paddle, you are acknowledging that you fully accept and assume all such risks and responsibility for losses, costs, and damages that you may incur as a result. By choosing to paddle, you hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue any and all property owners, river management agencies, or other organizations involved with river stewardship of the East Branch of the Little Calumet River Water Trail. ![]() Take Part in Keeping the River SpectacularPlease help keep the East Branch of the Little Calumet River Water Trail Open! Contact the Park Connection by emailing us or at 219-221-7098 to report log jams or to join the River Patrol Program. |
Last updated: June 9, 2020