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Hiawatha Water Trail Association
The Hiawatha Water Trail Association mission is to encourage the enjoyment of Lake Superior between Big Bay and Grand Marais, Michigan through safe, responsible and respectful paddling. We work to:
- Provide information to help paddlers plan safe and enjoyable trips.
- Educate trail users regarding the importance of appropriate skills and equipment.
- Optimize paddler access to and from Lake Superior.
- Promote stewardship of lands and waters used by paddlers.
- Encourage respect of landowners’ rights.
- Collaborate with other organizations in order to improve the paddling experience.
- Provide a voice for the paddling community.
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The Hiawatha Water Trail Association (HWTA) is a small grassroots organization of volunteers.
We are a member of the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) who is working to promote non-
We work in cooperation with the Hiawatha National Forest (including the Grand Island National Recreation Area) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore whose lands make up the eastern third of the trail. In addition, we work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), city governments such as Munising and Marquette as well as townships such as Chocolay, Burt and Powell townships.
We have received grants from the following organizations and/or programs:
- Down Wind Sports
- US Department of Agriculture Rural Community Assistance Program
- Coastal Management Program managed through Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality and funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
- American Canoe Association Club Fostered Stewardship funded by L. L. Bean.
Private individuals have donated money as well. Additional funds have been raised through map sales and events such as gear swaps & massage at the Noquemanon Ski Marathon.
HWTA volunteers building a tent platform