From Paddling to Wildlife Watching: Top 5 Summertime Activities on the Kalamazoo River

The Kalamazoo River flows 130 miles through Michigan, a central part of our state’s landscape and the backdrop for natural beauty, stunning wildlife, and endless recreation. The river winds directly through Saugatuck, so whether you are paddling, fishing, biking, birding, or hiking (you can even do them all in a day!), our bed and breakfast is the perfect home base for all of your summertime adventures near the river and on the water!

Get Out for a Paddle

Saugatuck is at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, where it feeds from massive Lake Michigan and flows through the town center. Watersports are synonymous with the fabric of daily life in the summertime in Saugatuck, and there’s no better way to combine a workout and exploring the riverside scenery than by getting out for an afternoon on the water on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. You’ll have miles of calm river water in either direction, including where the river widens and forms “Kalamazoo Lake,” one of the best spots for paddling anywhere in the area.

If you already have your gear, you can head a few blocks from our Lake St. location in Saugatuck and get on the water at various points along the riverside. Big Lake Outfitters has you covered for rentals, offering a full line of stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, including single and tandem options. They offer daily, weekend, or weeklong rentals, with a great deal on weekly rentals, so if you plan to go paddling for more than two days, opt for the weekly option.

Drop a Line and Reel in Some Fish

In addition to being excellent for paddling, the section of the river called Kalamazoo Lake – where the river more than triples in size after flowing through downtown Saugatuck and leading up to the bridge connecting Saugatuck and Douglas – is a prime fishing spot. Choose from any place along the shoreline to cast your line, including Coughlin Park, just a 5-minute stroll away from your room at our historic Saugatuck hotel. The park’s shaded gazebo is the perfect place to take a break from the summer midday sun between fishing sessions and have lunch while watching the river flow by.

Along the lake's shoreline are classic wooden piers and marinas from which you can try your luck, with the areas on either side of the picturesque Blue Star Highway Bridge being ideal places for getting lots of bites on your line. Aim for bait that will attract small-mouth bass, walleye, pike, and especially catfish, which can be legendary in size along this stretch of the Kalamazoo.

Go Birding Along the Kalamazoo River

The 1,600 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan is a magnet for over 350 bird varieties as they make annual migrations between seasons. With Saugatuck being so close to the lake and the Kalamazoo River’s path right through town, birds abound every season, and you don’t have to go far to see rare and impressive bird species.

Start at Mt. Baldhead, on the west side of the river from downtown, and we recommend getting there by taking the historic Saugatuck Chain Ferry – it dates back almost 200 years, powered by a crank turned by the operator and a remarkable relic of a different time still in action. After deboarding from the ferry, take the 300 steps leading up to the peak of Mt. Baldhead. It’s challenging, but the views along the way are worth the effort, and keep your eyes out for large raptors like hawks hunting along the shorelines of Oval Beach and the Kalamazoo River. You’ll likely see birds like sandpipers, lesser yellow legs, and plovers stopping over during their annual midsummer migration south.

Another must-do route for birders is the 1-mile route leading through the Wade Nature Sanctuary, just 3 miles east of Saugatuck along a different stretch of shoreline along the Kalamazoo River called Silver Lake. The well-marked trail leads through the dense beech-maple forest (be sure to look out for deer ticks and do a thorough tick check afterward), which draws countless bird species to nest, feed, and relax. Look for wood ducks, hawks, owls, and woodpeckers, all commonly seen, plus other wildlife like frogs and turtles.

Head Out for a Hike or Trail Run

One of the best trails showcasing the beauty of the Kalamazoo River is the Crow’s Nest, which starts at Park St. adjacent to the river, just a 10-minute drive away or accessible on foot by riding the Chain Ferry across. The 1.75-mile hiking loop couldn’t be more picturesque, as it’s on a peninsula formed by the first big bend in the river, so water surrounds you on both sides.

There are a few moderate climbs, easy enough for all hiking abilities but engaging for trail runners who want varied terrain. Birders will want to bring their binoculars, and you’ll likely see other animals like deer, as wildlife is plentiful as the trail goes through the protected conservation area of the Tallmadge Woods. The highlight is the Crow’s Nest Overlook, where you’ll have expansive views of Lake Michigan and Oxbow Lagoon, a cove-like inland section of the Kalamazoo River.

Explore the Beauty of the Kalamazoo River on Bikes

If you have bikes in tow, you’re ready to ride, but if you need to rent for the day or week, look no further than the Elements Bike Shop in downtown Saugatuck. Choose from their impressive selection of regular cruiser bikes, e-bikes, tandems, and bike seats for kids attached to any bike, all available to rent hourly, daily, or weekly. They will even deliver your bike rentals to our doorstep, making it extra easy and convenient.

Head across the Kalamazoo Lake bridge and hop on the Beach to Bayou Trail, which starts on the bank of the Kalamazoo River and goes to the shore of Lake Michigan, beginning and ending with gorgeous water views. Grab an iced latte en route at Outside Coffee Company, a charming walk-up or bike-up coffee stand where you can sip your tasty drink while sitting on one of their outdoor swings in the shade. After enjoying the Lake Michigan views at the halfway point and completing the 3-mile out-and-back roundtrip, ride along the shoreline of Kalamazoo Lake and finish with happy hour drinks and small plates at Wild Dog Grille.

For a more extended outing, take the bikes out on the Blue Star Trail, which extends over 4 miles from south of town through central Saugatuck and north for a stretch. It follows the river, including where it turns onto North St. near downtown, where you can take a side detour to check out the waterside views. The trail will eventually be 20 miles long, the project of the local non-profit Friends of the Blue Star Trail, and the riding will only get better as the trail grows. To help their fundraising and get a taste for the top-notch bike-riding in the area at the same time, join in their upcoming Lakeshore Harvest Ride on September 16th, 2023 – you can choose from bike rides between 15 and 60 miles, passing by farms, orchards, art studios, and quaint rural landscapes surrounding Saugatuck along the way.

Stay with us, where fun-filled days on the Kalamazoo River are just a hike, bike, or paddle away!

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