Paddle Antrim Festival 2026
About the Event
Join us for the Paddle Antrim Festival, Friday, September 18 - Sunday, September 20, 2026.
The Paddle Antrim Festival celebrates the amazing waterways and communities of Northern Michigan. The Festival, always the second weekend after Labor Day, includes a two-day paddle event through the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Paddle one day or two days and choose the distance that is best for your paddling ability and desired distance/time on the water.
NEW this year! Please note that the Festival is taking place Friday - Sunday (instead of Thursday - Saturday).
Tandem paddlers please note: each individual participant must complete their own registration.
Registration Includes the Following:
- Shuttle service (for people not boats - see more information on shuttles below)
- A great time both on and off the water!
- Paddle Antrim Festival t-shirt
- Festival Sticker
- Boat Number
- Waterproof course map
- Motorized boats outlining the route
- Paid security to watch boats overnight
- Restrooms at each launch and checkpoint
- Kick-off Party in Ellsworth
- Block Party at Short's Brewing Company's Bellaire Beer Garden
- Final Bash at Short's Brewing Company's Elk Rapids Pull Barn
Schedule of Events:
Friday
Festival Prep Paddling Classes
12:00 - 2:00 pm – Festival Prep: Paddling Strokes ($45 registration add-on)
2:30 - 5:00 pm - Basic Rescue Skills ($55 registration add-on)
Kick-off Party hosted by the Village of Ellsworth
Ellsworth River Park (6625 Bridge St.)
2:00 - 7:00 pm
- Paddle Expo
- Boat demos
- Paddler Check-in, boat drop off, and boat wash station open.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Live music
- Food truck
SATURDAY - DAY 1
Paddler Check-in
8:00 - 9:00 am – Ellsworth River Park (Google Directions)
- Packet pick-up
- Breakfast & coffee will be available to those who purchased with registration.
- Hydration station (bring your own refillable water bottle)
Safety Brief
9:00 am – Ellsworth River Park (6625 Bridge St.) - All paddlers must be in attendance.
Full Group Launch!
9:15 am
Central Lake Finish Line/Checkpoint 1
10:30 am - 1:00 PM Thurston Park (7854 Bradford St)
- Lunch pick-up for paddlers who purchased during registration.
- Pavilion with picnic tables to eat purchased or sack lunch
- Hydration station
- Recovery Snacks
- Restrooms
At 12:45 pm all paddlers who intend to paddle to Bellaire must be past the Central Lake Checkpoint
*Paddlers participating in Day 2 can choose to have their boats portaged to Ohio Street Launch (Day 2 launch location)
Richardi Park Finish Line
12:30 - 4:00 PM - Richardi Park by the sandy beach
- Cheer on fellow paddlers
- Hydration Station
- Recovery Snacks
- Restrooms
*Paddlers participating in Day 2 can choose to have their boats portaged to Ohio Street Launch (Day 2 launch location). Overnight security provided.
Short's Beer Garden Party
2:00 - 6:00 pm – Short's Beer Garden (118 N Bridge St, Bellaire)
- Paddle Antrim merch available for purchase
- Live music
- Local brews
- Food available for purchase
Sunday only paddlers may check-in and pick up packets during the Block Party.
SUNDAY - DAY 2
- SUNDAY NOTE: To enter Torch Lake on Saturday (passing Dockside), your paddle craft must be one of the following. A sit on top kayak with a minimum length of 12 feet.
A surfski with a minimum length of 12 feet. A boat leash is required.
A paddle board with a minimum length of 12 feet. A leash is required.
A kayak with water-tight bulkheads in the bow and the stern and a minimum length of 12 feet. Positive secured flotation is allowed in lieu of bulkheads but may be subject to demonstrating ability to displace enough water to complete a deep-water re-entry.
Each craft will be inspected for compliance, please feel free to contact us if you have questions on your specific boat.
Paddler Check-in
6:15 - 7:45 am – Ohio Street Launch (google directions)
- Breakfast & lunch pick-up for those who purchased with registration.
Safety Brief 1 - Paddlers going beyond Checkpoint 1 onto Torch Lake
7:15 am – Ohio Street Launch
All paddlers must attend, even those who paddled Friday.
Launch 1: Paddlers going beyond Checkpoint 1 onto Torch Lake
7:30 am
Safety Brief 2: Paddlers ending at Checkpoint 1 (Dockside Beach)
7:45 am - Ohio Street Launch – All paddlers must attend, even those who paddled Friday.
Launch 2: Paddlers ending at Checkpoint 1 (Dockside Beach)
8:00 am
Dockside Beach Finish Line/Checkpoint 1
9:30 am - 12:30 PM
- Hydration station
- Refueling snacks
- Restrooms
- Dockside Restaurant open at 10 am for spectators and paddlers
Torch River Bridge Finish Line/Checkpoint 2
- Hydration station
- Refueling snacks
- Restrooms
Elk Rapids Rotary Park Finish Line
- Hydration station
- Refueling snacks
- Restrooms
**After 3:00 pm paddlers must exit at the next checkpoint they come to.**
FINAL BASH - Join us for a great celebration!
2:00 -7:00 pm – hosted by our top sponsor – Short’s Brewing Company
Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids (211 Industrial Park)
- Paddle Antrim merch available for purchase
- Live music
- Local brews
- Food available for purchase
- Closing ceremony with Paddle Antrim's Executive Director at 5:00 pm - 42 mile hall of fame recognition, five/ten year participant recognition
Shuttle Service
Shuttle service will be provided for people, no boats. Shuttle service is included with all registrations! Your "finish line" location for the day is the location you will drop off your vehicle the morning you paddle (times/locations below). Shuttle buses will pick up passengers and drive you to the launch. This way your vehicle is waiting for you when you get off the water. Boat/equipment must be dropped off at the launch prior to taking the shuttle.
DAY 1:
- Checkpoint 2: Richardi Park parking lot (100 E Antrim St.) – 8:00 am you may need to park along street
- Checkpoint 1: Central Lake Thurston Park Pavilion near playground (Pavilion on State St) – 8:15 am – parking is along street
DAY 2:
- Checkpoint 4: Elk Rapids Rotary Park (305 US-31) – 6:00 am – Park in parking lot by Swan Statue (not launch)
- Checkpoints 2: Torch River Bridge DNR Parking lot – 6:15 am – Recreation Passport required
- Checkpoint 1: Dockside Restaurant ( 6340 Old Torch Lake Dr, Bellaire)– 7:00 am– Park in spaces away from restaurant and water, along roadway
The Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 brings an exciting 11.3K, 24.1K, 25.7K, 38.6K, Ultra, 14.5K, 27.4K, 43.5K to Elk Rapids, Michigan on September 19, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!
Races Offered
Paddle sports
Ellsworth-to-Central Lake Relaxed Paddle – 7 miles | 3.5 hours
A calmer stretch with narrower waterways. Perfect for paddlers who want a steady pace, more time to enjoy nature, or those newer to paddling. We recommend this route for recreational paddlers, beginner paddlers, and/or those looking for a calm scenic paddle. Route: Ellsworth → Central Lake Average time to complete: 3.5 hours (based on paddling 2 miles per hour) Difficulty: Easy / Beginner-Friendly/Recreational
Ellsworth-to-Bellaire Challenge Paddle - 15 miles | 6.5 hours
Starts with the Relaxed Paddle route (Ellsworth to Central Lake), option to get out in Central Lake for lunch, then continues into Intermediate Lake, where open water and wind add excitement. Ideal for intermediate or advanced paddlers looking for a longer, more challenging day. Please note: To complete this during the designated event time, a paddler must be able to paddle at least 2.5 miles per hour. Route: Ellsworth → Bellaire (Richardi Park) Average time to complete: 6.5 hours (based on paddling 2.5 mph) Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
Two-Day Recreational Challenge - 16 miles - Beginner
Enjoy two mornings on the water trail, each day offering a manageable but still challenging distance with varied scenery and more narrow/calm waterways. Day 1 Route: Ellsworth → Central Lake Day 2 Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Dockside Beach Average time to complete each day is : 4 - 5 hours if going at a slow pace (based on paddling 2 mph) Difficulty: Easy / Moderate / Recreational friendly
Two-Day Intermediate Lake Challenge - 24 miles - Intermediate
Enjoy two mornings on the water trail. Challenge yourself on Day 1 by paddling the full day through Intermediate Lake for a total of 15 miles. Enjoy a more relaxed Day 2 and end your day early with a 9 mile paddle to Dockside beach Day 1 Route: Ellsworth → Richardi Park Day 2 Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Dockside Beach Difficulty: Moderate
Two-Day Open Water Challenge - 32 miles - Advanced
This two day challenge is for advanced paddlers only seeking two full-day expeditions on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Participants must have excellent paddling efficiency, strong navigation skills, and the stamina to maintain a steady pace throughout a long day on the water. Paddlers registering for this challenge must have a minimum 12-foot boat, and kayaks must have watertight bulkheads. Day 1 Route: Ellsworth → Bellaire (15 miles) Day 2 Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Torch River Bridge (17 miles) Difficulty: Advanced
Two-Day Chain of Lakes Endurance Challenge - 42 miles - Advanced/Expert
Take on the full Chain of Lakes Water Trail Challenge! Finishers will join the Festival Hall of Fame. This two day challenge is for advanced/expert paddlers only seeking two full-day expeditions on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Participants must have excellent paddling efficiency, strong navigation skills, and the stamina to maintain a steady pace throughout a long day on the water. Paddlers registering for this challenge must have a minimum 12-foot boat, and kayaks must have watertight bulkheads. Paddlers must be able to finish the Day 2 Route by 4 pm - a distance of 27 miles in 8 hours (average page of about 3.37 miles per hour.) Day 1 Route: Ellsworth → Bellaire (15 miles) Day 2 Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Elk Rapids (27 miles) Difficulty: Advanced/Expert
Bellaire-to-Dockside Morning Paddle - 9 Miles | 4.5 hours
A manageable distance with varied scenery, passing through the wildlife rich Grass River Natural Area —a relaxing way to enjoy the morning on the water. Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Dockside Beach Average time to complete: 4.5 hours (based on paddling 2 mph) Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Bellaire-to-Torch River Challenge Paddle - 17 miles | 7 hours
This demanding route is designed for intermediate and advanced paddlers. The 17-mile journey moves through narrow river sections and exposed open water where wind, waves, and endurance come into play. Paddlers must be able to maintain a minimum pace of 2.5 mph for extended periods and be comfortable navigating changing conditions throughout the day. NOTE: Participants need at least a 12 ft boat; kayaks must have watertight bulkheads. Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Torch River Bridge Average time to complete: 7 hours (based on paddling 2.5 mph) Difficulty: Advanced
Bellaire-to-Elk Rapids Advanced Expedition- 27 miles | 9 hours
This route is for advanced paddlers only seeking a full-day expedition on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. This 27-mile route spans rivers, lakes, and large open-water crossings where wind, waves, and fatigue are real factors. Participants must have excellent paddling efficiency, strong navigation skills, and the stamina to maintain a steady pace throughout a long day on the water. A minimum 12-foot boat is required, and kayaks must have watertight bulkheads. Route: Bellaire (Ohio Street) → Elk Rapids Average Time: 9 hours (based on paddling 3 mph) Difficulty: Advanced
About Elk Rapids
Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 takes place in Elk Rapids, Michigan, United States. The local timezone is America/Detroit.
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Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
