Check out the information below for specific information on each paddle trip. Grab your kayak or canoe and join us on the river this summer! (Vessel rentals are available for select trips, see details below). All trips include Kanoe the Kazoo swag and some instruction on local ecology or pollution issues facing the community.
There will be at least five different floats this summer. Each trip is unique and you can participate in as many as you like. We are updating host information as we receive it. Information on additional floats will be posted soon. Registration will open on May 15, 2022. Once registration opens, you can click on the links to register. For additional, specific questions, feel free to contact the float host.
June 11, 2022
Prairieville Township Lower Crooked Lake Park, 13000 S. Norris Road, Delton
Host: Four Townships Water Resources Council
Contact: Steve Allen – stevea@prairiesmoke.com
There is no charge to attend this event but pre-registration is required.
9:00 – Registration
9:30 – 12:00 noon – Paddle Time
We will tour Lower and Middle Crooked Lakes which have very few houses on them. Much of the Lakes are surrounded by or adjacent to the Lux Arbor Reserve which is part of Michigan State University’s W.S. Kellogg Biological Station and is dedicated to biological and environmental research. There is an active Osprey nesting platform along the shoreline of Lux Arbor at the northeast end of Middle Crooked Lake at the furthest point in the paddle. The paddle will begin and end at the Township Park Boat Launch and so no shuttle will be necessary.
Register for this event at: (check back soon for registration information)
August 6, 2022
Perrin Dam in Marshall to Historic Bridge Park
Hosts: Marshall Area Conservation Committee and Battle Creek Clean Water Partners
Contact: Bessie Stears – 269-998-4825, bestears@battlecreekmi.gov
This paddle is approximately 8 river miles long and total time on the river is 2-3 hours. We will provide morning refreshments, lunch at beautiful Historic Bridge Park, a group photo, and a KTK participation gift will be provided. Restrooms will be available at the launch site as well as at the end point. There is no charge for this event but pre-registration is required and will be limited to the first 75. A shuttle service will be provided. You will need your own vessels. Rentals are available for a fee from the Marshall Recreation Department but you’ll need to make your own reservations there.
8:30 – Registration at Perrin Dam Public Access site, next to Marshall Public Services Building, drop off vessels and drive vehicle to end point
9:30 – Shuttle Bus will depart Bridge Park (end point)
10:15 – On River
12:00-1:00 – End/Lunch at Historic Bridge Park
Register for this event at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_oSE4p1VOtK7p0Eg0m6vANcU55oehvMc_OZ0KAmLzrdjWvQ/viewform
August (TBD), 2022
Kalamazoo River Paddle – Whitehouse Nature Center
Hosts: Albion College Whitehouse Nature Center
Contact: Jason Raddatz – 231-510-3735, jraddatz@albion.edu
Join Jason Raddatz, Director of the Whitehouse Nature Center on a pleasant float from Bath Mills Rd. through the wild rice fields of the Kalamazoo River and the Whitehouse Nature Center. After a comfortable 2.5 – 3 hours, floaters will be collected at the Albion College Canoe Livery and transported back to their cars. There is no charge for this event but pre-registration is required.
9:30 – Check in at Bath Mills Rd.
12:30 – Event concludes
Register for this event at: (check back soon for registration information)
August 27, 2022
New Richmond to Saugatuck Township
Host: Water Trail Ventures
Contact: Julie Hulsey – (269) 547-1884, watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com
Join the hosts from Water Trail Ventures for this 5-mile paddle on the Kalamazoo River as it meanders through the Allegan State Game Area from New Richmond to the Hacklander Boat Launch site in Saugatuck Twp. There is no charge for this event but pre-registration is required.
9:00 – Check In
10:00 – Launch
1:00 – Event concludes
Register for this event at:
September 3, 2022
Indian Creek
Hosts: City of Charlotte and City of Olivet
Contact: Matt Griffith at (517) 231-2324 or Jerry Staggs at (269) 339-8219
The City of Charlotte & Olivet in a cooperative effort would like to invite guests to join them in a local canoe/kayak adventure on Indian Creek (tributary of the Battle Creek River). Your $10.00 registration fee will cover the cost of a T-shirt and Lunch. You are welcome to bring your own canoe or kayak if you have one. We will work together to accommodate shuttling. Sign-in for the float will be at Shrontz Memorial Park in Olivet at 9:00am. Participants will then be shuttled out to V-Drive North where the float will begin. Participants will then float back to Shrontz Memorial Park in Olivet and arrive at approx. 1:00pm. There will be a BBQ-Lunch and a short educational program following the canoe trip. Please register before August 13 to receive your T-shirt and lunch. If you have, questions please call.
9:00 – Sign in at Shrontz Memorial Park in Olivet
1:00 – event concludes
Register for this event: (check back soon for registration information)
September 17, 2022
Merrill Park (Comstock) to Mayor’s River Front Park (Kalamazoo)
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Drzick (269) 337-8667 drzickm@kalamazoocity.org
Join the Kalamazoo Public Services Department on a relaxing and scenic paddle through the winding waterways of the Kalamazoo River. On this guided paddle tour, participants will learn about the natural history of the Kalamazoo River, highlighting aquatic invasive species, local native species and the role they play in the river’s ecosystem. Shuttle will be provided. You must have your own canoe or kayak. Rentals are not available. Coffee and refreshments will be provided during check-in and after the paddle. Participants will also receive a T-shirts. Register promptly as this paddle is limited to 40 registrants.
9:30 – Check-in at Merrill Park
12:30 – event concludes
Register for this event at: (check back soon for registration information)