Two events are left in the 2023 Kanoe the Kazoo Season, both on September 16!!
September 16, 2023
Paddle the Kalamazoo River from Merrill Park in Comstock to Kalamazoo
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Miller (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org)
Event Description: We will be paddling the Kalamazoo River from Comstock to Kalamazoo. The main goal for this event is to enjoy paddling the Kalamazoo River on a September day in Michigan, and paddlers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend! For those who want to do some river cleanup as they paddle, trash-grabbers, garbage bags and other supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is required.
Check in: Merrill Park at 8:30 AM
Launch: by 9:30 AM
Take out: by 12:00 PM
Refreshments: provided at launch.
Boat Rental: No boat rental option is available.
T-shirts: Free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: This is a free event
Register HERE
September 16, 2023
Bike Up and Paddle Down Along the Kalamazoo River between Kalamazoo and D Avenue (details to come)
Hosts: Kalamazoo Nature Center
Contact: Jenny Doezema (jdoezema@naturecenter.org)
Event Description: Enjoy biking on the Kalamazoo River Valley trail followed by paddling the Kalamazoo River between Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Nature Center. More details to come – stay tuned!
Scroll down to review our past events for 2023
2023 is the 20th Anniversary of Kanoe the Kazoo!!
The first official Kanoe the Kazoo event took place in 2003 – which makes this the 20th year of helping people to learn about and engage with this amazing southwest Michigan resource through Kanoe the Kazoo events. It’s time to celebrate! There will be a number of different paddle trips this summer taking place in different parts of the watershed. Each trip is unique and you can participate in as many as you like. We are busy planning events for 2023, so please SCROLL DOWN 🙂 and watch our KRWC social media pages for more information.
August 19, 2023 – SAVE THE DATE!
Kanoe the Kazoo 20th Anniversary Paddle and Dinner Event, Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and WaterTrail Ventures, LLC
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org) and Julie Hulsey (WaterTrail Ventures, (269) 547-1884, watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com)
Registration for the August 19 event is now OPEN!! Click here for more information and to register.
Full Calendar of Paddle Events for 2023
This year’s events are supported by:
Signatories to the Lake Allegan/Kalamazoo River Total Maximum Daily Load Program, including the City of Kalamazoo, and the City of Battle Creek
Bell’s Brewery
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Whitehouse Nature Center
Water Trail Ventures, LLC
Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact Doug at krwc@kalamazooriver.org or the other contacts listed below with any questions.
Print out and distribute a 1-page flyer of all 2023 events HERE!
June 24, 2023
Paddle the North Branch Kalamazoo River from King Road to the White House Nature Center in Albion
Hosts: Whitehouse Nature Center
Contact: Monica Day (Whitehouse Nature Center, mday@albion.edu)
Event Description: A morning paddle in part of the Kalamazoo River headwaters. We will paddle from Bath Mills Rd. to the Whitehouse Nature Center. There is marsh on both sides of the river, with few residences and other development visible. The river is fairly shallow, and paddlers may need to walk their kayaks for a portion of the trip. This stretch of river is crystal clear, and has gravel and sandy bottoms of different depths. We will also be able to view wild rice beds. Restrooms and parking are available at the Whitehouse Nature Center. The Whitehouse Nature Center sits on the bank of the North Branch of the Kalamazoo River and is the takeout location. After the paddle trip, there is an optional archeological dig experience coordinated by WNC.
https://www.albion.edu/about/our-campus/whitehouse-nature-center/location/.
Check in: 9:45 AM at the Whitehouse Nature Center Boathouse at the S. Hannah St. Bridge
Launch time: by 10:30 AM
Take out time: by 12:00 PM
Refreshments/Food: Box lunch is provided
Boat Rental Option: Yes, contact the Whitehouse Nature Center
T-shirts: Yes, free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: There is no charge for the event
Vehicle Shuttling: Once everyone has arrived, we will take a shuttle with the boats to launch.
Registration for this event is closed.
July 8, 2023
Paddle the Battle Creek River from Emmett Street to Carlyle Street – downtown Battle Creek
Hosts: City of Battle Creek
Contact: Bessie Stears (City of Battle Creek, bestears@battlecreekmi.gov)
Event Description: We will be paddling the Battle Creek River from Emmett Street to Carlyle Street, traveling through natural areas as well as through downtown Battle Creek. The water may be low in some areas, so water shoes (not flip flops) are highly recommended. There will be morning refreshments and vouchers for a food truck lunch at the end. Pre-registration is required.
Kayak/Canoe drop off: Wagner and Emmett Streets, Battle Creek, near Linear Park – 7:30 – 9 AM
Check in and park vehicle: 15 Carlyle St., Battle Creek – 7:30 – 9:15 AM
Shuttle to launch site: 15 Carlyle St., Battle Creek – 9:30 AM
Launch time: by 10:15 AM
Take out time: by 1:00 PM
Refreshments/Food: morning refreshments provided; vouchers for a food truck lunch will be provided to registered paddlers.
Boat Rental Option: No
T-shirts: Yes, free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: There is no charge for the event
Vehicle Shuttling: After dropping boats at Emmett/Wagner Streets, participants will drive to the take-out at 15 Carlyle St., leave their car, and take a shuttle back to Emmett/Wagner Streets to launch.
This event is full and registration is closed.
Download an event flyer HERE
July 22, 2023
Bike Up and Paddle Down Along the Kalamazoo River from Kalamazoo to D Avenue
Hosts: Kalamazoo Nature Center, Open Roads, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
Contact: Jenny Doezema (jdoezema@naturecenter.org), Isaac Green (director@openroadsbike.org), Doug McLaughlin (krwc@kalamazooriver.org)
Event Description:Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and Open Roads are joining together for a Love your river day! Participants will ride together down the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. We will paddle together through KNC natural area past heron rookeries and an eagle’s nest back to our starting point. Total estimated time for this adventure is 8:30am-1:30 pm. We will break at the Kalamazoo Nature Center River Deck for lunch provided by your event hosts. Spend the day with naturalists, and river experts, biking enthusiasts, and lifeguards along for the ride. If you have a boat and a bike, bring them. If you need one, we have a few to reserve when you register for this event along with helmets and life jackets. Helmets will be required for the bike portion. Life Jackets will be required for the paddle portion of the event. We need your information to make sure we have what you need. Registration closes July 8.
This event is full and registration is closed.
July 22, 2023
In-river Cleanup (More Experienced Paddlers Only) on the Kalamazoo River from Merrill Park in comstock to Mayor’s Riverfront Park in Kalamazoo
Host: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Malissa Drzick (City of Kalamazoo, mdrzick@kalamazoocity.org)
Event Description: We will be paddling the Kalamazoo River from Comstock to Kalamazoo while cleaning up trash in the river and along the riverbanks. This trip is recommended for more experienced paddlers. Bringing waders is recommended but optional. Pre-registration is required.
Check in: Merrill Park at 8:30 AM
Launch: by 9:30 AM
Take out: by 12:00 PM
Refreshments: provided at launch.
Boat Rental: No boat rental option is available.
T-shirts: Free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: This is a free event
Register HERE.
August 5, 2023
Paddle the Upper Kalamazoo River from Albion to the Kayak Launch at B Dr. North
Hosts: Whitehouse Nature Center
Contact: Monica Day (Whitehouse Nature Center, mday@albion.edu)
Event Description: A 2.5-3 hour paddle in the morning, ending with a free lunch. This event is hosted by the Whitehouse Nature Center and is a great opportunity to paddle a mostly wooded section of the upper Kalamazoo.
Check in: 8:45 AM at the Stoffer Plaza Canoe Launch (aka Porter Street Canoe Dock) in Albion
Launch time: by 9:30 AM
Take out time: by 12:30 PM
Refreshments/Food: Box lunch is provided
Boat Rental Option: Yes, contact the Whitehouse Nature Center
T-shirts: Yes, free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: There is no charge for the event
Vehicle Shuttling: Canoe/kayak drop-off and event check-in will be at the Stoffer Plaza Canoe Launch on the east side of the river. Parking will be at the Farmers Market (211 Market Pl, Albion). A shuttle will be provided to return participants and boats to their vehicles in Albion. Box lunches will be provided at the Farmers Market.
Register HERE.
August 19, 2023
Kanoe the Kazoo 20th Anniversary Paddle and Dinner Event, Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and WaterTrail Ventures, LLC
Contact: Doug McLaughlin (KRWC, 269-350-6158, krwc@kalamazooriver.org) and Julie Hulsey (WaterTrail Ventures, (269) 547-1884, watertrailexplorer1@yahoo.com)
Event Description: Paddle from the M-89 Bridge Boat Launch near Swan Creek Marsh to WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite in New Richmond during the afternoon. Then walk across the street to The Chapel for an evening celebration outdoors under the big top with catered food, beer, wine, and live music. Join us for both the paddle and dinner, just the paddle trip, or just the dinner. Register below for one of these options. Pre-registration is required.
The Paddle Trip (4-5 hour paddle ending by 6pm):
Check in: Begins at 9:00 AM at WaterTrail Ventures (3151 57th St, Fennville, MI 49408)
Launch: Between 11am and 12:30pm
Take out: At New Richmond by no later than 6pm
Vehicle shuttle provided: Shuttle to launch location will begin at 9:00AM from WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite in New Richmond; final shuttle at 12 noon.
Boat Rentals: Contact Julie at WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite (269- 547-1884)
T-shirts: Free, indicate size on registration form, pick up t-shirt at check-in
Event Cost: There is no charge for the event. Donations for the KRWC are encouraged
Note: WaterTrail Ventures and Paddle Respite will have their Trestle Bell site and limited rustic camping space available for purchase to registered participants. Anyone wanting to book an overnight stay should contact Julie directly at 269-547-1884.
The Dinner Event (3:00pm to 8pm):
Evening celebration at The Chapel (3142 57th St, Fennville, MI) with catered dinner, beer and wine, live Americana, bluegrass, and blues music (Hoot Owls, Blueback) and watershed information, including The Central Michigan University Mussel Trailer, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.
Check in: Between 3pm and 6pm at The Chapel
Dinner buffet line open from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Options include pulled pork, pulled chicken, vegetarian burgers (must specify on registration form), rolls, assorted BBQ sauces, coleslaw, American potato salad, fruit salad.
Pick up your free Kanoe the Kazoo T-shirt at check-in.
Our registrations for this event are full. Thank you for the great response! Please join us for one of the other Kanoe the Kazoo or Krazy for the Kazoo events scheduled for 2023, and keep an eye out for more information about the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council’s Annual Meeting and Reception on Saturday October 7.