Hamilton is a small town on Highway M40, between Allegan and Holland, in Allegan County. The Rabbit River flows through town on its way to the Kalamazoo River near New Richmond. The river access is a Heath Township park named Schutmaat Park. It’s better known as Trestle Park. The park is at the end of Willyard Street. The features of the park are the railroad trestle and the dam. The boat ramp is above the dam.
This trip explores the backwaters of the dam and the river upstream from the backwaters. The river portion of the trip was about a mile in length as the crow flies. It’s a bit longer than that in river miles. The voyage then returns to the boat ramp.
After paddling under the trestle, the waterway splits in two. To the right, northeast, the dam has created a scenic lake.
To the left, north-northeast, the backwater handles the primary flow of the river. Eight hundred feet upstream from the trestle, a short, wide channel branches off to the northwest and opens up into a good sized lake. Much of the shallow lake is covered with aquatic vegetation, but it’s still fun to explore.
After returning to the river, turn left and resume the north-northeast course. It’s easy to paddle upstream against the light current.
Some of the downed trees were challenging to paddle through or around, but I never had to portage.
Eventually, a massive tangle of fallen trees stopped my progress.
I reluctantly turned around and paddled back to the boat ramp, enjoying the beauty of the river for a second time. The scenery of the Rabbit River is hard to beat!
KAYAKING SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 