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. View Course Maps HERE View Festival FAQs HERE 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
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for September 19.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Elk Rapids, MI.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 2026 — Elk Rapids, MI?
Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 2026 — Elk Rapids, MI takes place on September 19, 2026. The race is held in Elk Rapids, Michigan.
Where is Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 2026 — Elk Rapids, MI held?
Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 2026 — Elk Rapids, MI is held at Chain of Lakes Water Trail in Elk Rapids, Michigan.
Where can I find hotels near Paddle Antrim Festival 2026 2026 — Elk Rapids, MI?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Elk Rapids. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
