Reviews: Margaret B. Upton Aboretum

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Margaret B. Upton Aboretum

Water Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
St. Joseph River

Lat / Lon: N 42° 06.720' / W 086° 28.858'

4.33

(3)

4.33 out of 5 stars

Review for Margaret B. Upton Aboretum

Reviewed by: Cody Howdeshell, EASTERN STAR, on Oct 18, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

Can't beat it for a free dock! some charts show less than 5' depth but we spoke with one of the marinas and they said it was recently dredged to 9'. We had no trouble with a 6' draft. Tons of room on the wall. Obviously there's no security and it is a public park but the area seemed very very safe. Downton is nice. Can be a bit rolly if there is any swell and you do get some wakes. Wall is corrugated steel sheet piling - so use your biggest fenders and hang them horizontal.

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Review for Margaret B. Upton Aboretum

Reviewed by: Captain Wes, Toscana, on Oct 13, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Can't ask for much more for free. 1 30A service is available. But plenty of room for 10-12 boats. Nice park, and access to town!

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Review for Margaret B. Upton Aboretum

Reviewed by: Janeen Axtell, Toes in the Water, on Sep 11, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 53'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

This free wall is a gem. There is wall space with room for many boats and fence posts to tie to. As long as the wind is not out of the west, the wall is decently protected although there is some boat chop. There is only one power pole with two 30-amp receptacles. The town of St. Joseph makes this free wall a fun place to stop. St. Joseph is across the street and up a hill and offers a downtown to stroll, shop, eat, and drink. Silver Beach on Lake Michigan is walkable, as is Silver Beach Pizza, which is alway packed.

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