Kayak Launch Points

There are many launch sites for kayaks within the National Lakeshore listed below:

1. Platte River Point – Developed Access – Boat ramp located about 100 yards from the mouth of the Platte River. Parking lot area has a picnic area, water, restrooms, and cell phone coverage. Water and restrooms may only be available between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
2. Tiesma Road – Alternate Access – Road end – No facilities – 460 feet from parking lot to beach over dunes.
3. Peterson Road – Alternate Access – Road end – Vault toilet (available between Memorial Day and Labor Day) – No other facilities – 540 feet from parking lot to beach over dunes.
4. Esch Road – Carry-In Access – Road end – Vault toilet (available between Memorial Day and Labor Day) – No other facilities – 300 feet from parking lot to beach.
5. North Bar Lake – Alternate Access – Vault toilet (available between Memorial Day and Labor Day) – 760 foot trail from parking lot to North Bar Lake is flat and hard-packed. Kayaks can be launched in North Bar Lake and paddled across the lake about 400 feet to a short portage to Lake Michigan.
6. Glen Haven – Carry-In Access – Restrooms and water are available between Memorial Day and Labor Day. About 100 feet between parking lot and beach.
7. Lane Road (off of Port Oneida Road) – Emergency Access - Not recommended for a planned launch point. Steep stairs to get from the road-end to the beach. No facilities.
8. No-Name Road (about 1 mile north of Lane Road) – Emergency Access - Not recommended for a planned launch point. Steep stairs to get from the road-end to the beach. No facilities.
9. County Road 669 (Bohemian Road) – Carry-In Access – Vault toilet and water available between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 125 feet between parking lot and beach.
10. County Road 651 (Good Harbor Road) – Carry-In Access – Vault toilet and water available between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 125 feet between parking lot and beach.

Additional launch points in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area include Point Betsie Lighthouse (Carry-In Access), the public boat ramp in Empire (Developed Access), the road-ends at Lake Street (Carry-In Access) and Bay Lane (Carry-In Access) in Glen Arbor, the road-end on South Sunset Shores Drive (Carry-In Access) in Port Oneida and the harbor at Leland (Developed Access).