Winding 116 miles (187 km) through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin, the Menominee River along with its tributary, the Brule River, form a natural border between the two states before spilling into Green Bay on Lake Michigan. Fed by four main tributaries, its forested watershed of roughly 4,000 square miles drains some of the Great Lakes’ most pristine terrain. The river’s Ojibwe-derived name translates to “place of wild rice,” reflecting its importance to the Menominee people who have lived along its banks for thousands of years. Blessed with clear waters, scenic landscapes, and strong recreation potential the Menominee offers outdoors-savvy travelers a lesser-known yet beautifully rugged Great Lakes waterway.