St Clair City Boat Harbor: St Clair’s Gateway to Great Lakes Boating and Waterfront Adventure

Overview of St Clair City Boat Harbor

St Clair City Boat Harbor, also known as the Charles F. Moore Memorial Harbor, stands as one of Michigan’s most celebrated recreational marinas, offering boaters and outdoor enthusiasts an exceptional waterfront experience on the beautiful St Clair River. This 132-slip harbor welcomes both seasonal boaters and transient visitors from April 1st through October 15th, providing floating wooden docks, friendly dock attendants, and comprehensive amenities that make every visit memorable. Located at the mouth of the Pine River where it meets the St Clair River, the harbor offers unparalleled access to the Great Lakes waterway system while maintaining the charm and hospitality of a small-town marina. Boaters appreciate the harbor’s fuel dock offering ethanol-free gas, diesel fuel, pump-out services, and essential boating supplies, ensuring vessels remain well-maintained throughout their journeys. Beyond its boating facilities, the harbor features a convenient boat launch ramp for daily use, a professional fish cleaning station for anglers, and canoe and kayak rental services for those seeking peaceful paddles down the scenic Pine River. The harbor’s nine-site campground with electric and water hookups provides overnight accommodations, while the complimentary shuttle service transports guests anywhere within city limits, including to popular destinations like the River Crab restaurant. Within easy walking distance of downtown St Clair’s restaurants, boutiques, and the famous wooden boardwalk, the harbor serves as the perfect basecamp for exploring this historic river city. Whether you’re a seasoned Great Lakes sailor, a weekend warrior with a fishing boat, or a family looking to explore Michigan’s waterways by kayak, St Clair City Boat Harbor delivers an authentic maritime experience combining modern amenities with traditional harbor hospitality. Click here to ensure your home comfort system is as reliable as your boating adventures.

History of St Clair City Boat Harbor

St Clair City Boat Harbor carries forward a rich maritime tradition that reflects the St Clair River’s vital role in Great Lakes commerce and recreation throughout Michigan’s history. Named the Charles F. Moore Memorial Harbor to honor a community leader who championed waterfront access and recreational development, the marina represents St Clair’s commitment to preserving its riverfront heritage while providing modern facilities for contemporary boating enthusiasts. St Clair itself emerged as a significant river community in the 19th century, positioned strategically along one of North America’s busiest shipping channels connecting Lake Huron to Lake St Clair and ultimately to the lower Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean via the St Lawrence Seaway. The city’s founders recognized the economic and recreational potential of their riverfront location, establishing a community that balanced commercial maritime activity with residential charm and public waterfront access. As massive freighters navigated the river carrying goods between industrial centers, St Clair evolved into a beloved destination where residents and visitors could experience the majesty of Great Lakes shipping while enjoying small-town hospitality. The development of the boat harbor formalized the city’s commitment to recreational boating, transforming what had been various informal docking areas into a comprehensive marina facility that could accommodate the growing number of pleasure craft exploring Michigan’s waterways during the post-World War II recreational boating boom. Over decades, the harbor expanded and modernized its facilities, adding floating docks that rise and fall with water levels, installing modern utilities, and creating the amenities today’s boaters expect while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that has always characterized St Clair’s waterfront. The harbor’s location at the Pine River mouth provides natural protection from the St Clair River’s strong currents and ship traffic, creating a safe haven that has sheltered boats for generations. Today, the harbor stands as a testament to St Clair’s enduring relationship with the water, serving recreational boaters while preserving the maritime heritage that defines this exceptional river community. Click here to read about Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, St Clair, MI.

Points of Interest

132-Slip Marina with Full Amenities

St Clair City Boat Harbor’s primary attraction is its comprehensive 132-slip marina facility that accommodates vessels ranging from small runabouts to sailboats and cruisers up to 70 feet in length. The harbor features floating wooden docks that adjust to seasonal water level changes, ensuring consistent, safe access to boats throughout the boating season regardless of Great Lakes water fluctuations. Seasonal slip holders appreciate the security and convenience of having a dedicated home port with reliable electrical hookups, fresh water access, and proximity to harbor amenities including the fuel dock, pump-out station, and fish cleaning facility. Transient boaters cruising the Great Lakes waterway find St Clair City Boat Harbor an ideal stopover, offering overnight or extended stays in a protected harbor with excellent access to downtown restaurants, shopping, and entertainment within comfortable walking distance. The harbor’s professional dock attendants provide assistance with docking, answer questions about local attractions, and ensure all guests feel welcomed whether they’re staying one night or the entire season. The marina’s fuel dock supplies ethanol-free gasoline preferred by many boaters for its superior engine performance and storage characteristics, along with diesel fuel for larger cruisers and sailboats equipped with auxiliary engines. Modern pump-out facilities help boaters maintain environmental responsibility by properly disposing of holding tank waste, while the harbor’s location at the Pine River mouth provides natural shelter from the St Clair River’s commercial shipping traffic and occasional rough water conditions. Marina guests benefit from the complimentary shuttle service that transports them anywhere within St Clair city limits, eliminating concerns about leaving vessels unattended while exploring the community or enjoying waterfront restaurants that have made St Clair a culinary destination along Michigan’s Thumbcoast.

Boat Launch and Fish Cleaning Station

For boaters who trailer their vessels rather than maintaining seasonal slips, St Clair City Boat Harbor provides an excellent public boat launch facility that offers convenient access to both the Pine River and the main St Clair River channel. The launch ramp features adequate depth and proper slope angles that allow boats of various sizes to launch and retrieve efficiently even during periods of changing water levels that can challenge less well-designed facilities. Ample parking accommodates vehicles with boat trailers, ensuring launch users can safely leave their towing vehicles while spending the day on the water exploring the St Clair River, fishing the productive waters where the Pine River meets the main channel, or venturing out onto Lake St Clair just a short cruise downstream. The harbor’s professional fish cleaning station serves anglers targeting the area’s abundant walleye, perch, bass, and pike populations, providing dedicated workstations with running water, proper lighting, and waste disposal systems that maintain cleanliness while making the sometimes messy task of preparing the day’s catch significantly more convenient. This facility proves particularly valuable for tournament anglers who need to process multiple fish efficiently or for families introducing children to fishing who appreciate having proper equipment to transform their catch into table-ready fillets. The combination of quality launch facilities and fish cleaning amenities makes the harbor a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts throughout the season, from early spring walleye runs through summer bass fishing and into autumn when migratory species move through the river system. The harbor’s location provides strategic access to diverse fishing environments including the swift waters of the main river channel where current-loving species congregate, the calmer waters of the Pine River mouth where various species seek shelter and food, and quick access to Lake St Clair’s expansive waters that support world-class smallmouth bass and muskie fisheries. Whether you’re a serious tournament angler pursuing trophy fish or a casual fisherman introducing grandchildren to the joys of catching panfish, St Clair City Boat Harbor’s launch and cleaning facilities provide everything needed for successful, enjoyable fishing adventures on some of Michigan’s finest waters.

Kayak and Canoe Rental and Launch

Recognizing that not all waterfront enthusiasts pilot powerboats or sailboats, St Clair City Boat Harbor has developed excellent facilities for paddlers seeking quieter, more intimate connections with the area’s waterways. The harbor’s dedicated canoe and kayak launch ramp provides easy water access specifically designed for hand-carried watercraft, eliminating the challenges paddlers often face at facilities designed primarily for motorized boats. On-site canoe and kayak rentals allow visitors to explore the scenic Pine River without needing to own or transport their own equipment, making spontaneous paddle adventures accessible to tourists and locals alike who want to experience the peaceful beauty of a classic Michigan river. The Pine River offers particularly appealing paddling conditions with its tree-lined banks, relatively gentle current, and diverse wildlife viewing opportunities including waterfowl, turtles sunning on logs, and occasional sightings of beavers, muskrats, and various bird species that inhabit riparian environments. Paddlers can venture upstream on the Pine River for several miles, enjoying a completely different experience from the busy commercial shipping channel of the main St Clair River, with opportunities to explore quiet backwaters and observe nature at the slow pace that only muscle-powered watercraft allow. The 8.4-mile round trip paddle along the Pine River represents a manageable half-day adventure suitable for paddlers of moderate fitness levels, while shorter excursions allow families with young children or inexperienced paddlers to enjoy the river environment without overextending their abilities. Advanced paddlers might venture from the Pine River out onto the main St Clair River, though this requires considerably more skill and caution given the strong currents, large ship wakes, and busy maritime traffic that characterize this international shipping channel. The harbor’s kayak and canoe facilities reflect St Clair’s commitment to inclusive waterfront access, ensuring that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the area’s magnificent water resources whether they prefer the thrill of speed boats, the tradition of sailing, or the peaceful connection with nature that only paddling provides. After a satisfying paddle, rental customers can take advantage of the harbor’s proximity to downtown St Clair, walking to restaurants for a well-earned meal or exploring the boardwalk and shops that make this river city such a delightful destination.

Places to Eat Near St Clair City Boat Harbor

River Crab Restaurant

River Crab Restaurant has earned its reputation as St Clair’s premier fine dining destination, combining spectacular St Clair River views with an exceptional menu focused on fresh seafood and quality steaks. Located directly on the waterfront, the restaurant offers indoor dining with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing the river panorama, plus seasonal outdoor patio seating that allows guests to dine just yards from the water while watching freighters glide past on the international shipping channel. The menu showcases the restaurant’s namesake blue crab preparations alongside lobster, scallops, fresh fish selections that change with seasonal availability, and perfectly prepared steaks for guests who prefer land-based proteins. The kitchen’s commitment to quality ingredients and skilled preparation has made River Crab a special occasion destination where locals celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other important milestones while tourists mark their St Clair visit with a memorable meal. Boaters particularly appreciate that vessels can dock directly at the restaurant or utilize the complimentary shuttle service from St Clair City Boat Harbor, making it effortless to arrive by water for lunch or dinner. The professional service staff balances attentiveness with allowing guests to relax and enjoy their meals at a comfortable pace, while the extensive wine list provides options to complement any menu selection. Whether you choose classic preparations like lobster tail or more adventurous seafood dishes, River Crab delivers consistently excellent dining experiences that showcase why waterfront restaurants attract guests from throughout southeastern Michigan and beyond.

The Voyageur Restaurant

The Voyageur Restaurant offers a unique dining concept that combines fine waterfront dining with a sports bar and entertainment venue, creating multiple experiences within a single location. The main restaurant provides elegant St Clair River views from virtually every table, with large windows bringing the ever-changing river scene indoors while skilled kitchen staff prepare an extensive menu featuring prime rib, seafood specialties, creative pasta dishes, fresh salads, and daily lunch and dinner specials that keep the offerings interesting for regular patrons. Live piano music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings plus Sunday afternoons adds sophisticated ambiance that enhances the fine dining experience, creating a memorable backdrop for romantic dinners or special celebrations. On the street side of the building, The Voyageur Sports Bar provides a more casual atmosphere where guests can watch sporting events on multiple large-screen televisions, play Keno, and enjoy the same quality kitchen preparing satisfying pub fare alongside selections from the main restaurant menu. The facility’s remarkable dessert selection deserves special mention, with house-made options ranging from classic cheesecake to berry pies that provide sweet endings worthy of the excellent meals that precede them. The restaurant’s versatility makes it equally suitable for formal anniversary dinners in the main dining room or casual gatherings with friends in the sports bar, while private event spaces accommodate rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, corporate functions, and other celebrations. Boaters find The Voyageur particularly convenient given its waterfront location and the availability of the St Clair City Boat Harbor’s complimentary shuttle service, making it easy to arrive by boat for a leisurely meal without concerns about returning to the vessel afterward. This combination of excellent food, multiple atmosphere options, stunning water views, and boater-friendly accessibility has made The Voyageur a cornerstone of St Clair’s dining scene.

La Dolce Vita Ristorante

La Dolce Vita Ristorante transports guests to the Italian countryside with authentic recipes passed through generations and warm hospitality that makes everyone feel like family. The menu features traditional Italian preparations including handmade pasta dishes crafted with imported Italian ingredients, wood-fired pizzas emerging from the oven with perfectly charred, blistered crusts supporting premium toppings, and classic entrées like chicken marsala, veal piccata, and Italian sausage preparations that showcase the rustic, flavor-forward cooking that defines Italian regional cuisine. Generous portions ensure nobody leaves hungry, while the restaurant’s flexibility in accommodating children’s preferences makes it an excellent choice for families seeking quality Italian dining in a welcoming environment that doesn’t require perfect table manners from younger diners. The cozy interior features warm colors, comfortable seating, and subtle Italian decorative touches that create the ambiance of a neighborhood trattoria where regulars return week after week. After spending hours on the water at St Clair City Boat Harbor or exploring the downtown boardwalk and shops, families and couples appreciate settling into La Dolce Vita’s comfortable booths for satisfying, moderately priced meals that deliver authentic Italian flavors without the pretension sometimes associated with Italian restaurants. The restaurant’s location within easy walking distance of the boat harbor makes it a natural dinner choice for boaters who’ve spent the day cruising, fishing, or simply enjoying their vessels, while the quality and consistency of the food ensures that both first-time visitors and regular customers enjoy excellent meals that capture the essence of Italian home cooking elevated by professional kitchen expertise and commitment to quality ingredients.

Places to Visit Near St Clair City Boat Harbor

St Clair Riverwalk and Palmer Park

The St Clair Riverwalk represents one of southeastern Michigan’s finest waterfront promenades, stretching along the river with paved paths perfect for walking, jogging, cycling, or simply enjoying the constant maritime activity that defines this historic shipping channel. Located immediately adjacent to St Clair City Boat Harbor, the riverwalk provides visitors with front-row seats to one of North America’s busiest waterways, where massive thousand-foot freighters navigate the narrow channel carrying iron ore, grain, coal, and manufactured goods between Great Lakes ports. The procession of vessels never stops during the navigation season, with ships passing at all hours creating a constantly changing panorama that captivates observers of all ages. Children particularly enjoy watching these massive ships glide past seemingly close enough to touch, while maritime enthusiasts appreciate the opportunity to identify different vessel types, shipping companies, and flags representing various nations whose ships transit this international waterway. The riverwalk connects several downtown St Clair parks including Palmer Park, which features comfortable benches positioned for optimal ship watching, landscaped green spaces that provide respite from summer heat, and the famous statue marking the location of a self-guided Freighter Walk Tour with interpretive plaques explaining Great Lakes shipping history and vessel identification. Public art installations dot the riverwalk, adding cultural interest while the wooden boardwalk sections preserve historical character even as modern materials ensure safe, accessible pathways for all users. During warmer months, the riverwalk bustles with activity as locals take their evening constitutional strolls, families introduce children to the joys of waterfront recreation, cyclists follow the car-free paths for exercise and enjoyment, and couples walk hand-in-hand enjoying romantic sunsets over the Canadian shoreline visible across the river. Seasonal events transform the riverwalk into a community gathering space, with outdoor concerts, art fairs, and festivals celebrating St Clair’s waterfront heritage and small-town community spirit. For visitors who’ve spent time boating from St Clair City Boat Harbor, the riverwalk provides a perfect land-based complement to their on-water experiences, allowing them to observe the river from a different perspective while enjoying the small-city walkability and charm that makes St Clair such a delightful destination in Michigan’s Thumbcoast region.

Pine Grove Park

Pine Grove Park serves as St Clair’s premier inland recreational facility, offering extensive amenities that complement the waterfront activities centered at the boat harbor and riverwalk. The park’s mature trees provide welcome shade during summer visits, creating comfortable micro-climates where families can picnic, children can play, and adults can relax without the intense sun exposure that sometimes accompanies waterfront recreation. Playground equipment designed for various age ranges ensures that toddlers, elementary-age children, and even pre-teens find appropriate challenges, with modern safety surfacing and thoughtful layouts that allow parents and guardians to supervise multiple children simultaneously from convenient vantage points. The park includes well-maintained picnic facilities featuring tables and grills, making it ideal for family gatherings, birthday parties, or simply extending a harbor visit into a full-day outing where lunch can be enjoyed surrounded by nature rather than in a restaurant. Baseball diamonds and open sports fields host youth league games and practices, reinforcing the park’s role as a community gathering place where families connect with neighbors and children develop athletic skills and team cooperation. Walking paths wind through the property offering gentle exercise opportunities and nature observation for those seeking low-impact recreation, with interpretive signs identifying local flora and fauna that help visitors understand the natural environment supporting this river community. The park’s layout includes both active recreation zones and quieter areas where visitors seeking contemplation or relaxation can escape the noise and energy of playgrounds and sports fields, creating a versatile space that serves diverse community needs. For families planning comprehensive St Clair visits, combining morning or afternoon boating activities from the harbor with land-based recreation at Pine Grove Park creates ideal balance, addressing children’s needs for both water-based adventure and traditional playground experiences while allowing adults to enjoy the full spectrum of what this appealing river city offers. The park’s location requires only a short drive from the boat harbor, making it easily accessible for families who arrive in St Clair by boat but want to provide children with varied recreational experiences throughout a full day of family adventure in this welcoming southeastern Michigan community.

St Clair Historical Museum

The St Clair Historical Museum preserves and presents the rich maritime and community heritage that shaped this distinctive river city into the appealing destination that families and boaters enjoy today. Housed in a historic building that itself represents an important architectural artifact from St Clair’s past, the museum features exhibits covering the city’s evolution from early settlement through its development as a significant river port and its transformation into the beloved residential and recreational community it has become. Artifacts ranging from maritime equipment used by commercial shipping operations to domestic items from various eras help visitors understand how St Clair residents lived, worked, and entertained themselves throughout different periods in the community’s history. Particularly fascinating for visitors who’ve just spent time at the boat harbor are exhibits explaining the river’s role in Great Lakes commerce, the evolution of shipping technology from sail to steam to modern diesel-powered vessels, and the relationship between St Clair’s development and the maritime industry that has always defined its character. Photographs showing how downtown St Clair appeared in different decades provide compelling before-and-after comparisons that help visitors appreciate both how much has changed and how much remains recognizably the same in this well-preserved historic community. The museum’s volunteer docents often possess personal connections to local history, having grown up in St Clair or having family roots extending back generations, allowing them to share stories and perspectives that bring exhibits to life beyond what written descriptions alone can convey. Special rotating exhibits ensure that even repeat visitors discover new information and fresh perspectives on St Clair history, while educational programming serves school groups and lifelong learners interested in understanding how communities develop and change over time. For boaters and tourists who have experienced St Clair’s present-day attractions including the boat harbor, riverwalk, restaurants, and shops, the historical museum provides essential context that deepens appreciation for how this community preserved its heritage while embracing modern recreational opportunities. Understanding that the boat harbor continues a tradition of waterfront access extending back to St Clair’s founding adds meaning to contemporary boating experiences, connecting today’s recreational activities to the maritime traditions that have always defined life along the St Clair River and its role linking the Great Lakes into a unified waterway system supporting both commerce and recreation.

Practical Information

Address:

• 902 S 2nd Street, St Clair, MI 48079

Season:

• Open April 1st through October 15th annually
• Seasonal and transient slips available

Office Hours:

• Sunday through Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Facilities:

• 132 boat slips accommodating vessels up to 70 feet
• Floating wooden docks
• Fuel dock (ethanol-free gas and diesel)
• Pump-out station
• Fish cleaning station
• Boat launch ramp
• Campground with 9 sites (electric and water hookups)
• Canoe and kayak rentals
• Complimentary shuttle service within city limits

Contact Information:

• Phone: (810) 329-4125
• Off-season phone: (810) 329-7121
• Email: sc**********@***il.com
• Harbormaster: Dave Shorkey

Website:

• https://stclairboatharbor.com/

Parking:

• Ample parking available for vehicles and boat trailers

Accessibility:

• ADA-accessible facilities
• Floating docks accommodate varying water levels

Nearby Attractions:

• Walking distance to downtown St Clair restaurants and shops
• Adjacent to St Clair Riverwalk and Palmer Park
• Direct river access to Lake St Clair and Lake Huron

Expert Furnace Installers Near Me Serving St Clair and Surrounding Communities

After enjoying St Clair City Boat Harbor’s exceptional waterfront amenities and exploring this beautiful river community, returning to a warm, comfortable home makes all the difference during Michigan’s cold months. S&P Heating LLC provides expert furnace installation services throughout St Clair and surrounding areas, ensuring your home maintains perfect comfort year-round with energy-efficient heating systems that deliver reliable performance even during the coldest Great Lakes winter conditions. Our experienced technicians understand that Michigan homeowners need heating systems they can depend on completely, which is why we specialize in installing premium furnaces from industry-leading manufacturers known for durability, efficiency, and whisper-quiet operation. When you search for furnace installers near me, you’re looking for more than just equipment installation—you need knowledgeable professionals who properly size systems for your home’s specific requirements, ensure optimal ductwork performance, and take time to explain operation and maintenance so you maximize your investment. S&P Heating LLC combines technical expertise with genuine customer care, treating every installation as if we were working on our own family’s home because we understand how important reliable heating is to your comfort and safety. Whether you’re replacing an aging furnace that’s become inefficient and unreliable or installing heating in new construction, our team delivers precise workmanship and attention to detail that ensures years of trouble-free performance. Don’t let furnace concerns compromise your family’s comfort during harsh Michigan winters—contact S&P Heating LLC today to discuss furnace installers near me options that will keep your home cozy and your energy bills manageable throughout the heating season and for years to come.

Driving Directions from St Clair City Boat Harbor to S&P Heating LLC

• Begin at St Clair City Boat Harbor located at 902 S 2nd Street, St Clair, MI
• Head north on S 2nd Street toward the downtown area
• Turn right onto Clinton Avenue
• Follow Clinton Avenue to N Riverside Avenue/M-29
• Turn left onto N Riverside Avenue/M-29 heading north
• Continue on M-29 North as it follows the St Clair River shoreline
• Pass through downtown St Clair, enjoying views of the river and boardwalk
• M-29 becomes Fred W Moore Highway as you continue north
• Follow Fred W Moore Highway for approximately 7 miles through scenic riverfront areas
• Watch for marinas, waterfront parks, and residential areas along this picturesque route
• Continue north through Marine City and Clay Township communities
• Turn right onto Morrow Road in Clay Township
• S&P Heating LLC is located at 8275 Morrow Road, Clay Township, MI 48001
• Total driving distance is approximately 8 miles
• Estimated drive time is 15-20 minutes depending on traffic conditions
• The route follows the beautiful St Clair River, offering water views throughout the journey

Map:

Driving Direction: