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.
To register for this event, click here.
August 6, 2022
Saylor’s Landing to Historic Bridge Park
For a map of the event location, click here.
Host: City of Battle Creek
Contact: Bessie Stears 269-966-3355 ext. 1889 bestears@battlecreekmi.gov
The route will start by launching at Saylor’s Landing (12669 15 Mile Rd, Marshall, MI 49068). The paddle will last 3.0-3.5 hours and will end at Historic Bridge Park located on S. Wattles Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49014. City of Battle Creek will provide donuts, juice, and water at check-in and may enjoy a lunch at the conclusion of the paddle. Participants will receive a t-shirt, dry bag, and other fun info. This event will be capped at 50 participants.
8:30AM- Check in
10:00AM- Launch
1:30PM- Take out
2:00PM- Event Concludes
Shuttling Vehicles: Vehicles dropping off personal kayaks or canoes at Saylor’s Landing must leave for Historic Bridge park as soon as possible. The shuttle will depart Historic Bridge Park by 9:30AM to go back to Saylor’s Landing for the launch.
Food – A light lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the event.
Boat Rental – Rental service is $25.00. Thai includes a kayak, paddle, and life vest. You must call Marshall Rec Center, 269-781-5166, prior to the event to rent a kayak.
T-shirts/Other Give-aways – A t-shirt and other items are provided at check in.
Fees – There is no fee to register for the event.
Event Registration – The event is capped at 50 Participants.
Kanoe The Kazoo Registration (jotform.com)
For additional event information, click here >> Kanoe Kazoo Brochure 2022
August 6, 2022
Kalamazoo River Paddle – Whitehouse Nature Center
For a map of the event location, click here.
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 Boathouse and transported back to their cars. There is no charge for this event but pre-registration is required. A boat rental option will be provided. The Whitehouse Nature Center will have a limited number of canoes and kayaks available. Please reserve them by contacting Jason Raddatz (jraddatz@albion.edu). Light refreshments will be provided at the landing, and participants are encouraged to eat lunch downtown.
9:00 – Check in at Bath Mills Rd.
12:00 – Event concludes
To register for this event, click here.
August 27, 2022
WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite – New Richmond to Saugatuck Township
Please see the following map for the event:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1gojKzZRTVW75-cUIcxTqwcJRnnuS08M&usp=sharing
Host: WaterTrail 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. Donations for boat rental will be collected and donated back to our friends at the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council to help provide future programming to support healthy waterways.
9:00 – Check In
10:00 – Launch
1:00 – Event Concludes
Shuttling Vehicles: We will have river stewards on hand to assist with the vehicle shuttle process.
Food – None provided
Boat Rental – Yes, $10-$25 rental fee through WaterTrail Ventures. All proceeds go to the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council
T-shirts/Other Give-aways – None provided
Fees – There is no charge for the event; donations are accepted.
Event Registration – To register for this event, click here.
September 10, 2022
Battle Creek River from W. 5 Point Hwy to Ainger Rd.
Please see the following map for the event:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1KeRCJ-T7c2-byZsQgG7EJhRbXksP5eE&usp=sharing
Hosts: City of Charlotte and City of Olivet
Contact: Matt Griffith at (517) 231-2324 or Scott Perry at (517) 231-6332
The City of Charlotte and the City of Olivet, in a cooperative effort, would like to invite guests to join them in a local canoe/kayak adventure on the Battle Creek River. We will paddle from W. 5 Point Highway to Ainger Road, which will take approximately 3 hours. Your $15.00 registration fee will cover the cost of a T-shirt and Lunch. Bring your own canoe or kayak (no rental option is provided). Shuttle service will be provided. Please register before August 13 to receive your T-shirt and lunch. If you have questions please call.
9:00 – Check-in
2:00 – Event concludes
Shuttling Vehicles: A shuttle service will be provided.
Food – Participants may enjoy a lunch of hot dogs, brats, and chips at the conclusion of the event.
Boat Rental – Rental service for the event is not provided.
T-shirts/Other Give-aways – A t-shirt will be provided.
Fees – There is a $15.00 fee to register for the event.
Event Registration – To register for this event, click here.
September 17, 2022
Merrill Park (Comstock) to Mayor’s River Front Park (Kalamazoo)
Please see the following map for the event:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1WMbmNvGWCFMm2GQUf793kj9VP5GslN0&usp=sharing
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo Public Services
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. The route will start by launching at Merrill Park in Comstock, at the Northwest corner of River St. and Comstock Ave. The paddle will last 1.0-1.5 hours and will end at Mayor’s Riverfront Park. City of Kalamazoo Public Services will have a table set up with information, free reusable tote bags, and other giveaways. Participants can enjoy morning refreshments before the event and a light lunch at the end. Dr. Ken Kornheiser, president of the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council will kick-off the launch by sharing a few words about the history and restoration of the Kalamazoo River and potential wildlife we could see along this stretch. The group will be launching together at 9:30AM.
8:30AM – Check in at Merrill Park – Unload boats and check in at table under picnic shelter.
9:30AM – Launch as a group.
11:00AM – Take out.
12:30PM – Event concludes.
Shuttling Vehicles: A shuttle service will be provided. After checking in, one participant from the party will leave at 8:50 and drive your vehicle to Mayor’s Riverfront park. Please park in the parking lot closest to the boat launch. The shuttle van will be there to pick you up and bring you back in time for the launch at 9:30.
Food – Participants can enjoy refreshments before and after the event.
Boat Rental – Rental service for the event is not provided.
T-shirts/Other Give-aways – A t-shirt and other items are provided at check in.
Fees – There is no cost for this event.
Event Registration – Kanoe the Kazoo Registration – September 17, Merrill Park (Comstock) to Mayors’ Riverfront Park (Kalamazoo) (google.com)