22nd Annual Raft Off
The 22nd Annual Raft Off is set to return to the waters of Muscamoot Bay on Saturday, August 8, 2026, bringing one of the largest and wildest boating gatherings in North America back to Lake St. Clair. Known worldwide as “The World’s Longest Raft-Off,” the annual event transforms Muscamoot Bay into a massive floating city of boats, music, inflatables, and nonstop summer party energy.
Drawing an estimated 60,000 to more than 100,000 people annually, the Raft Off has become one of the Midwest’s most iconic boating traditions. Every year, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 boats gather in the shallow waters of Muscamoot Bay and tie together side-by-side, forming the massive floating arena known simply as “The Gauntlet.”
Stretching roughly two to four miles long depending on boat turnout and water conditions, The Gauntlet becomes the centerpiece of the event as thousands of participants walk, float, swim, and party between connected boats throughout the day. Unlike organized poker runs or performance boat events, the Raft Off is entirely about the social atmosphere — a giant floating summer celebration that attracts every type of boat imaginable, from pontoons and center consoles to cruisers, wake boats, and high-performance offshore builds.
The official event location is centered near coordinates N 42.55783 and W -82.66071 inside Muscamoot Bay. Due to changing water levels on Lake St. Clair over the years, the event has shifted between “Big” Muscamoot Bay and “Little” Muscamoot Bay depending on seasonal conditions. In recent years, higher water levels have moved much of the activity toward Little Muscamoot Bay.
While the main event takes place Saturday, many participants begin arriving Friday evening, with boating clubs and groups tying together overnight and remaining through Sunday morning. The result is a full weekend boating festival atmosphere that extends far beyond a single-day gathering.
Not every participant ties directly into The Gauntlet itself. Many boaters choose to anchor nearby and float into the main party area using inflatables, floating mats, paddleboards, or small watercraft. Organizers and longtime attendees describe the interior of The Gauntlet as a nonstop party environment filled with loud music, floating coolers, swimming, and thousands of people packed tightly together on the water.
Despite the enormous scale of the gathering, the event remains free to attend and continues to operate largely as a grassroots boating tradition rather than a commercialized festival. There are no registration fees or official ticket requirements, helping maintain the Raft Off’s reputation as one of the most unique and accessible boating events in the country.
The annual Raft Off has grown into a bucket-list event for many Great Lakes boaters and has become deeply tied to the summer boating culture surrounding Lake St. Clair and the Detroit-area boating community.
For boaters planning to attend in 2026, organizers and longtime participants strongly encourage arriving early, preparing for heavy boat traffic, and practicing safe boating throughout the weekend due to the enormous crowds and congestion in the bay.
With thousands of boats, miles of tied-up vessels, and one of the most recognizable boating party atmospheres anywhere in North America, the 2026 Raft Off is once again expected to deliver another unforgettable weekend on Lake St. Clair.