Paddle the Mason Tract

The Mason Tract is a massive protected wilderness area encompassing 4,493 acres. The crystal clear AuSable River runs right through the heart of this forest. On this trip, you will encounter enormous old trees with beautiful remote scenery around each riverbend. Bald eagles and black bears are plentiful in this region. This portion of river also represents one of the country’s best trout streams, so you will likely see plenty of fly fishermen. Overall, the current is mild and the water is fairly deep with mainly a sandy bottom throughout.

The 10.2 mile stretch of river runs from Chase Bridge to Smith Bridge. Either stage a car at Smith Bridge or contact one of the local liveries. Trip length varies depending on recent rainfall and how quickly you paddle: 3.5 – 5 hours.

There are plenty of areas to stop along the way, including the Mason Chapel that sits high on a hill on the east side of the river about 8 miles into your trip. The Mason Family constructed the Chapel in 1960 to provide fishermen with a place of reverence. The Mason Tract also contains the Mason Tract Pathway, which is a well-maintained trail that runs along the river for 10+ miles and is used for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Please be respectful of this quiet and pristine area. This is not a party river. As always, practice leave no trace. Enjoy!