Paddling this section of the AuTrain River provides paddlers with a calm and peaceful float trip down a slow meandering river. The canoe trail starts from the AuTrain Lake Campground and crosses the AuTrain lake to the river which then makes its way to Lake Superior. There are lots of sloughs along the route that are home to abundant wildlife and the river has no rapids or portages making it a good option for paddlers of all skill levels.

The Big Island Lake Wilderness area offers numerous paddling options on its many scenic, secluded lakes. The area is very remote and home to lots of wildlife. The Big Island Lake is one of the largest lakes in the area and the most visited and is a good starting point for paddling. The lake requires a short portage from the parking area to access but it is fairly flat and easy. From Big Island Lake, paddlers can then access multiple other lakes through other short portage trails. There are other parking areas and trails that can be used to access other lakes in the area. Overnight camping is allowed at designated sites and is a good option for paddlers who want to explore more of the area.

Grand Island is one of the most popular paddling destinations in all of Michigan due to its beautiful scenery consisting of sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches, sea caves, and historic lighthouses. This multi-day trip starts from the launch site at Sand Point on the mainland and travels over to the shoreline of Grand Island. Paddlers then follow the shoreline up through Trout bay where a few small designated campsites are located and are available on a first come, first served basis. From Trout Bay the route then continues onto the north end of the island where the most dramatic scenery is found in the form of 200-foot sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches, and a historic lighthouse. Paddling even more shoreline further around the lake is also an option for paddlers who want to explore more of the area. While the water on the southern end of the island is fairly protected, the northern end is more exposed and winds on Lake Superior can stir up some rough, cold waters so be cautious and pay close attention while paddling in the area. Camping in areas that are not designated campsites is allowed by there are rules and restrictions that apply so be sure to check what these are before setting out.

Grand Island is one of the most popular paddling destinations in all of Michigan due to its beautiful scenery consisting of sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches, sea caves, and historic lighthouses. The trip starts from the launch site of the Grand Island Ferry and travels over to the south end of Grand Island. Paddlers can then follow the shoreline up through Murray Bay, a large protected bay that offers lots of forested shoreline with sandy beaches. While the water on the southern end of the island is fairly protected, winds on Lake Superior can stir up some rough, cold waters so be cautious and pay close attention to the weather.

This scenic paddle starts from the National Lakeshore headquarters at Sand Point and travels out to the popular kayaking destination of Grand Island. After arriving at the island the route follows the shoreline north up to Trout Bay. Trout Bay is a scenic protected area that offers calmer waters for padding. The scenery on the eastern side of Grand Island consists of sandstone cliffs, sea caves, stone arches, and a shipwreck site. There are a few campsites in trout bay that are available on a first come, first served basis, and there are some nice sandy beaches that provide good resting spots. The waters are fairly protected in this area of Lake Superior but windy weather can stir up some rough water so be cautious.