FAWN RIVER KAYAK TO BIG HILL ROAD
In September of 2025 I kayaked a stretch of the Fawn River, from Watt Road to Fawn River Kayak. I thought that the Fawn River was in need of further exploration, so I set out in early July of 2026 for another trip. This time, I began my trip where I left off on the previous trip, at Fawn River Kayak. I’m an old fart in my seventies and I do my own loading, unloading, launching, and landing. However, if someone offers to help, I don’t decline. I like Fawn River Kayak because the staff is always eager to help and I don’t have to ask.
Fawn River Kayak is located on the south side of Fawn River Road, four miles east of Highway M66. Car spotting at the Big Hill Road landing was provided by Fawn River Kayak. That landing is 1.3 miles south of Fawn River Road. If you are doing your own car spotting, begin your voyage at the Kime Road landing. It’s a shorter trip, but still enjoyable.
My voyage was on a weekday and I had the river to myself. The Fawn gets very busy on the weekends. If you enjoy peace and solitude, then go in the middle of the week.
This trip is suitable for kayakers of all skill levels. Trees, tree limbs, and rocks will require some maneuvering, but nothing difficult.
Most of the river is twenty to forty feet wide. Depth is easily effected by rainfall. On the day of my trip, the depth varied from two to five feet, which is considered to be moderately high. I never ran aground. I couldn’t find a place to stop and get out of my kayak for a break. Maybe you’ll have better luck during your trip.
Keep your eyes peeled for deer. I saw one and heard others, but the cover was too thick to spot all of them.
The land adjacent to the river is mostly flat lowland.
The riverbanks are covered with tall grasses, with some cattails and lily pads at the water’s edge.
Riverside trees are mostly willows of all different sizes.
Tall, mature hardwoods can be found wherever higher ground occurs.
The first part of the trip, from Fawn River Kayak to the Kime Road bridge, features moderate current with large rocks strewn about. This portion will require some maneuvering skills. I did my share of rock bashing by not paying attention. An island is just upstream from the Kime Road bridge and both sides of the island are navigable. If you aren’t sure about which side of the island to paddle, then take the north (right) channel. The south channel has more rocks to get hung up on. The Kime Road bridge:
Shortly after passing under the bridge, the current slows down and the rocks disappear for the rest of the trip. The river snakes its way westward, twisting and turning through the lowland.
Next up is the Miller Road bridge and more lowland scenery.
The Big Hill Road bridge is about one river mile downstream from Miller Road, marking the end of the trip.
The small landing is on the east side of the bridge and on the south side of the river. If you go under the bridge, then you went too far.
My weekday trip on the Fawn River was peaceful and free from noise pollution. The sounds of nature were the only sounds that I heard.
KAYAKING SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 