KALAMAZOO RIVER, NEW RICHMOND TO SAUGATUCK, ALLEGAN COUNTY

I was unable to photograph while kayaking this trip. I used shoreline photos that were taken from a variety of vantage points along the river.

New Richmond County Park is a great place to start a voyage.

The park features two historic bridges, boardwalks, picnic tables, a boat ramp, and a clean vault toilet. I recommend taking a tour of the park before launching your boat.

Downstream from the landing, a small oxbow lake is on the east (left) side of the river. Farther downstream, the 58th Street bridge spans the river. This bridge was built to replace the old New Richmond swing bridge. Just upstream from the 58th Street bridge, on the north (right) side of the river, there is a small bayou to explore.

Looking downstream from the 58th Street bridge deck.

Continuing down the river, the Kalamazoo enters the Pottawatomi Marsh.

This photo and the one above are views from River Bluff Park, Saugatuck Township.

Kayakers can choose between two different river channels through the marsh: Indian Cut to the north or Morrison Bayou to the south.

Morrison Bayou, viewed from Macks Landing (private).

I recommend checking satellite photos on Google Maps to familiarize yourself with the layout of the marsh and the channels. This will help you decide which channel to take. I have published a post titled “Pottawatomi Marsh, Allegan County”. The post has detailed info and photos about kayaking the marsh.

The two channels converge just upstream from the Hacklander Landing. This MDNR Kalamazoo River Access Site is a good place to take a break. Vault toilet.

The river leaves the huge marsh behind at the US31/I196 bridge. Immediately after passing under the bridge is Schultz Park. The boat landing at the park is the first of three landings to end the trip. Restrooms.

After passing Schultz Park, the Kalamazoo River flows through a lake called Wades Bayou.

A boat landing at Wades Bayou Memorial Park is the second of three landings to end the trip. Restrooms.

The river leaves Wades Bayou at the Blue Star Highway bridge and flows into Kalamazoo Lake. Bear to the left after paddling under the bridge and you will arrive at the Union Street Landing, the third of three landings to end the trip. Downtown Saugatuck is straight across the lake.