The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, with the cooperation of the Bay Area Community Foundation, the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network, the Isabella County Parks and Recreation Department and the Isabella County Community Development Department has created a new Chippewa River Water Trail Map. The map traces the river from Barryton to Midland. It marks historical points of interests, golf courses, campgrounds, lakes, rivers, and shopping and dining areas. The map also includes danger points.

The free map is being distributed to local businesses that use the river, to parks and recreation departments, and city and county offices. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation is close to the river and part of the map.