There are 28 existing access sites available for public boating access. Access sites are defined as developed, mobility impaired developed, carry-in, alternate, or emergency. A complete inventory of each access site is detailed in Appendix A of the Shiawassee River Water Trail Plan.
Recommended trips are detailed in the Plan Your Visit section of the website along with places for lodging, list of local attractions, and equipment rental.
This short list presents the most well-known recreational river assets and events:
- Headwaters Trails and Keepers of the Shiawassee events from Holly to Byron that include open invitation group paddles, kayak demonstrations, paddle training and wildlife trips.
- Red Fox (retail store in Fenton) casting classes
- Keepers of the Shiawassee Annual Riverfest with several in-river and along-river activities.
- Byron’s Family Fun Day with riverside activities, and River Regatta, an in-river celebration as a River Town
- Owosso’s Curwood Festival with voyager encampments, paddle boat races, youth fishing tournament, celebration of conservationist James Oliver Curwood, duck race fundraiser and riverside amphitheater concerts
- Chesaning's annual paddleboat race
- Friends of the Shiawassee River wine tasting (fund raiser) with kayak raffle on different river bank locales each year
- Public Park services at 10 riverside park access points with picnicking, water supply, play areas, hiking trails, land trail connections in Owosso and Corunna, and disc golf (Corunna and Chesaning parks)
- Two public campgrounds at Walnut Hills (Byron area) and Chesaning’s Showboat Park and a group campground at Corunna’s McCurdy Park