On a early spring scouting trip, I couldn’t find a really good Kalamazoo River boat landing in Albion. The best one looked like the Porter Street Landing. There is a public parking lot on the north side of Erie Street, east of Superior Street. Park on the north end of the lot by the Farmer’s Market, next to a flight of concrete steps. At the bottom of the steps, head east one hundred yards to a pedestrian bridge across the river. After crossing the bridge, there is a sidewalk that dead-ends at the edge of the river, in the backyard of the Riverview Apartments.
My friend Dan always enjoys a good river trip, so we teamed up for a July trip on the Kalamazoo. It’s a pleasant paddle through the city of Albion. The Cass Street bridge is just downstream from the Porter Street Landing.
The rather large Superior Street bridge is next. The road and several large buildings occupy the bridge deck. Kayaking under the bridge feels like going through a large, dark cavern.
After leaving the Albion city limits, the river takes on a rural character that lasts until the end of the trip in Marshall. This voyage is over twelve miles long, so plan accordingly.
The river makes a long, gently curving loop to the north, intersecting B Drive North twice.
The community of Marengo is on the north bank of the Kalamazoo, near the middle of the loop. The Broad Street bridge spans the river at Marengo.
Of special interest to kayakers: There are three separate sets of Class I rapids on the north loop of the river. You can hear the rapids before you can see them. From the photos, the rapids don’t appear to be difficult. Looks can be deceiving. Always paddle within your limits and experience level.
The last set of rapids was formed when a dam washed out.
About two miles downstream from the second B Drive North bridge, the river begins to widen and the current slows to a crawl.
The river gradually transitions to a lake, formed by the Marshall Dam. During the final four miles of the trip, there is no current to speak of. This final stretch to the landing can be tiring.
On the south shore of the west end of the lake, near the dam, is Stuarts Landing Park. Don’t go there. The boat landing is terrible. The restrooms are dark and dirty with no T.P. or door locks. If you’re desperate, It’ll do.
About a hundred yards east of Stuarts Landing Park is a unnamed, unmarked boat landing with a concrete ramp. Sadly, there are no restrooms. By vehicle, turn north on Willow Road from Homer Road. After traveling a hundred feet, go east for two hundred feet, then turn north. The ramp is at the end of the road. The photo was taken in early spring, looking east.
I enjoyed the scenery on this voyage. The rapids added adventure to the trip. The long final stretch with no current was tiring, but still fun. I’ll do it again!
KAYAKING SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 