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 seven different floats this summer. Each trip is unique and you can participate in as many as you like. Information on additional floats will be posted soon. Click the links to register. For additional, specific questions, feel free to contact the float host.
May 22, 2021
Gull Lake Island
Host: Four Townships Water Resources Council
Contact: Steve Allen – stevea@prairiesmoke.com
Participants of this spring float will paddle on Gull Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Kalamazoo River Watershed. Paddlers will learn about the natural history of the area with focus on the dam structure that creates the lake. There is not charge to attend this event but pre-registration is required.
9:00 – Registration at Gull Lake Island parking area
9:30 – Launch
11:30 – Event concludes
This event is past.
August 7, 2021
Ceresco Green to Paddlers Grove
Hosts: Marshall Area Conservation Committee and Battle Creek Clean Water Partners
Contact: Cheryl Vosburg – 269-317-4015, krwc@kalamazoooriver.org
This paddle is approximately 8 river miles long and total time on the river is 2-3 hours. We will stop about half way to enjoy lunch at beautiful historic Bridge Park. Morning refreshments, lunch, a group photo, and a KTK participation gift will be provided. Restrooms will be available at the launch site as well as at the lunch site and end point. A limited number of rental vessels will be available on a first come first served basis. 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.
8:30 – Registration at Ceresco Green, drop off vessels
9:30 – Shuttle Bus will depart Paddler’s Grove (end point)
10:15 – On River
11:00 – Lunch at Historic Bridge Park
1:00 to 2:00 – End at Paddler’s Grove
This event is past.
August 7, 2021
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
This event is past.
August 14, 2021
Hacklander Boat Launch (Fennville) to Wade’s Bayou (Douglas)
Host: Outdoor Discovery Center
Contact: Dan Callam – 616-368-7005, danc@outdoordiscovery.org
This 2.5-mile paddle, hosted by the ODC Network will begin at the Hacklander Boat Launch in Fennville and end at Wade’s Bayou in Douglas. Pre-registration is required and there is a $10 fee per participant which will be collected at the event. A limited number of rentals will be available for a fee of: $25 single kayak, $35 double kayak (50% discount for ODC Network) members.
9:00 – Check In
11:30 – Event Concludes
This event is past.
August 21, 2021
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
This event is past.
September 11, 2021
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: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-4bQwjvEn9YtZjrWvTg8ZhnuC3GtmnbMl617KYg6s2rvolg/viewform
September 11, 2021
Merrill Park (Comstock) to Mayor’s River Front Park (Kalamazoo)
Hosts: City of Kalamazoo
Contact: Shannan Deater (269) 337-8667 deaters@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: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMJi-JXPpkcyPHsVUJaGEqiX25_KIbHe68w3neW-wvIuN4-g/viewform