Ready, Set, Go: Michigan's Canoe Racing Season

Kick Off with the Klondike Challenge

Fun fact: Michigan has over 50,000 miles of named rivers, streams and creeks. From the mighty Au Sable River to smaller tributaries, there are a plethora of inland waterways in and around Oscoda for you to discover when you stay with us at Huron House for a North Michigan getaway. Whether you enjoy paddling, wading or floating, our rivers and creeks provide amazing recreational activities — tubing, kayaking, canoeing and fishing — and a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.

You can explore our waterways with a little friendly competition when you check out the Michigan Canoe Racing Association and its annual kickoff event, the Klondike Challenge. Held the first weekend of April, the Klondike Challenge gives participants a chance to hit the water and test their ability and determination in kayaks and canoes. Don't be intimidated — paddlers of all skill levels are welcome to join in the fun!

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, competitors will tackle the 4.25-mile course along Van Etten Creek either on their own or as a team of two. The race starts at the mouth of the creek where it meets the AuSable River, heading upstream 2.75 miles to Van Etten Dam. After a counter-clockwise buoy turn, the course heads back downstream 1.5 miles to finish just past the F-41 bridge near Huntington Bank.

The Klondike Challenge originated in the 1970s as a race on the Au Sable River in nearby Grayling, Michigan, but the event was moved to Oscoda’s Van Etten Creek in 1996. In recent years, the Klondike Challenge has become a fundraising event for the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, and organizers added a 5K Run/Walk and a 10K Run into the weekend’s festivities. On Sunday, April 2, 2023, the 5K/10K races start at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Perimeter and Pride roads in Oscoda. The course makes a loop along Perimeter Road, and 10K runners will do two laps.

Going strong for 50 years, the Klondike Challenge continues to enthrall canoe and kayak paddlers of all levels. Whether you choose to paddle your way to the finish line or simply watch from the river's edge as a spectator, it's a fun way to experience Michigan's inland waterways.