Keweenaw Rock Gardening ACA Guide Certification Program
This new American Canoe Association certification is the most current multi-day guide certification available. The rocky Coastline of the Keweenaw peninsula allows for Level 3+ conditions, crossings, logistics planning, group management, campcraft, cooking and a solid foundation for guiding work during this 5 day program. Costs will be kept reasonable. Limited to 5 candidates. More information will be posted soon. Contact Michael Gray for more information.
Keweenaw is said to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, with miles of gorgeous landscapes and adventure around every corner. Lighthouses, ruins, waterfalls, and hiking trails!
This is Michigan’s other Thumb, dividing open waters of Lake Superior from Keweenaw Bay. Its crystal clear waters bounce around this rocky coast offering a seldom paddled opportunity to explore rock gardens, waterfalls, sea stacks and some remote camping. Who knew? Imagine a group of decent paddlers, geared up for swims, rescue practice and some tough plastic boats designed to bounce before they break and you get the picture. We get to begin and end at a traditional Finn camp complete with 100 year old log sauna.
Great paddling, Superior camping, whitefish dinners, blueberries, local craft brews… this is so not your average guided trip! Don’t forget the great fresh food either, because that’s the only way we roll.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Copper Harbor.
Days 2 – 5
Paddle around the thumb, camping en route (3 nights), explore the Keweenaw Peninsula, Gull Island, and/or Manitou Island, weather permitting. Guides will develop meal plans and provide food for the group as well as learning guide skills inlcuding navigation, logistics planning, group camping, etc. Paddle to Bettegris and shuttle to Copper Harbor. Dinner out.
Day 6
Head out for drives home.
Dates for 2026
August 9 – August 14
What’s Included
- Cost includes professional ACA Certified Instructor-Trainer and Guide Trainer
- Most meals while on the trip
- Instruction and feedback related to multi-day guiding
- ACA paperwork
Kayaking Equipment
We do not include kayaks on this trip because most paddlers at this level have their own. A playful plastic design between 14-16 feet is recommended for this trip for maximum fun… think Delphin or the like. If you don’t have a suitable boat, we have a limited number of Delphins or Dagger Stratos available for $200 rental. They include PFD, Werner paddle, helmet, sprayskirt and pump. We will transport your rental boat for you.
What’s Not Included
- Travel to and from the Keweenaw
- Lodging the evenings before and after the trip
- Meals – you will be provided guidance for planning and delivering one day’s meal on the trip
- Kayak rental (If you are going to need a kayak, you should add that as an add-on to your booking, to be sure we have one for you.)
- Personal Items: Be sure to review the packing list: It is important that you review this list early on in case you have questions or need to order gear.
- Guide gratuity (10% suggested)
- Travel Insurance
Registration
NOTE: If a booking date shows on the calendar below, there is space available but always feel free to call or email with specific questions. If the trip is full and you’d like to be waitlisted, give us a call.
Reservations are held with a $500 deposit. The price below reflects the full amount, including service fees; However, your initial payment will be a $500 deposit (assuming you book 30+ days prior to the course).
The remaining amount due will be automatically charged to your credit card 30 days before the trip.
NOTE: You must choose the date of the trip you want before clicking on BOOK NOW. Be sure you are on the right month! You may need to choose the fare you want and then zero out the fare that the system initially chooses. Let us know if you have any difficulty.
What registration option should I choose?
- Joining by yourself? Choose Single Occupancy
- Joining as a couple or with a friend? Choose Double Occupancy
- Joining by yourself but willing to share a room? Choose Double Occupancy but realize we will adjust the price to single occupancy if we can’t find you a roommate.