Enjoy this repost originally from June 30, 2021! The Kalamazoo River is the perfect site to allow everyone the chance to get out and enjoy the fresh air we’ve all been craving for months (and without any mud)…Spring is here and it’s time to start exploring again!
It’s summer! Officially. And you know what that means, right? The kids are home and bored! You know what else? Everyone is looking for ways to get outside without having to break the piggy bank in the process. I have found the solution to all that! Remember in my About Me section how I said I love the challenge to finding adventure for the least amount of money possible? Here you go!
This week I found a place where you can go spend a couple of hours enjoying fresh air for nothing more than gas money. Let’s check it out..
Tell Me More!
I’m talking about the Marshall River Walk in Marshall, Michigan!
This is an area that travels along the North Branch Kalamazoo River. It is easy to get to and even easier to walk.
The pathways along the river are made of a trex decking material and are well maintained. This makes it easy for everyone from the littles to the elderly to enjoy the stroll. The trail is fairly level throughout and even when it becomes elevated, the walk is easy. Of course, you are outdoors and things can happen so always be aware of where you walk.
Who Is It Best For
This is one of the things I loved best about this spot…absolutely ANYONE can enjoy time here! The trail is wide enough for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. Dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed at all times. There is a place available to put canoes and kayaks into the water. I saw children using the same area for wading and playing in. Whether you go for a stroll or a faster paced walk/run, this place will work for you.
Show Me The Wildlife!
There is plenty of wildlife along this trail! More than I expected, to be honest. A lot more. The trail is roughly 1.7 mile and during that short jaunt we saw a muskrat, a bass, a couple of deer, a crane, and a plethora of turtles. Naturally there were plenty of squirrels, chipmunks and a lot birds! I was actually floored by the amount of different turtles we saw there…a spotted turtle, a TON of soft shell turtles (which I have never seen in the wild before) and more! And just like I’ve seen in other nature preserve areas, there are Identification Markers along the way explaining turtles, insects and trees. A parent could easily use the ID markers to make a game for the kids and help them continue to learn all summer long.
A River Rolls By
The Kalamazoo River lines the south side of the trail and, besides being home to so much wildlife, it is also a great source of activity for the humans who visit it. This is a perfect river for kayaking and canoeing with a maximum depth of three feet. Exceptions are at the bends and near swells where it can be a bit deeper. If you go into the water, please use caution due to the amount of rain we have received lately and swift moving water.
If you would like to have a little fun with this activity but don’t own a kayak, you’re in luck! The City of Marshall Recreation Department has kayak, canoe and tube rentals available from April 1 – September 30. For more information and a price list, visit https://www.marshallrec.com/CourseActivities.aspx?id=63&cat=13 Please keep in mind that the rec department can retrieve the vessel for you at the end of your journey. However, there is an additional charge for the service.
What’s New?
Currently, the dam located in the area of Stuart’s Landing is under construction and the area is closed off to visitors. The dam will be under construction all summer getting new reinforcement due to it’s age. The area is scheduled to reopen this November (2021). For the time being, please avoid this part of the trail.
The End of the Trail…sort of
Once you get to what could be considered the end of the trail, there are signs telling you that this is part of the North Country Scenic Trail. This trail covers eight states and goes from North Dakota to Vermont. In Michigan there are 1,150 miles of the trail from the Ohio border, up over the bridge and across nearly all of the Upper Peninsula, east to west. If you would like to have more information about hiking or volunteering for the trail, please visit https://northcountrytrail.org/the-trail/michigan/
The Walk Back
One last bit I’d like to point out…after you’ve reached the end of the trail (so to speak) you can choose a more direct path back to your vehicle. There is a very nice, wide sidewalk that runs straight through between the pathway along the Kalamazoo River and the pathway just to the north that follows along Rice Creek. The sidewalk is another easy stroll and is more than wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and walkers.
There is a short pathway along Rice Creek, as I mentioned above. This path goes up under the railroad tracks and you can see where local artist have had fun decorating the trestles.
Facts About the River Walk
- The River Walk is open from dawn to dusk
- Fishing is allowed
- Dogs are allowed and must be leashed at all times
- Refrain from removing wildlife from the river (ie. turtles, muskrats…)
- Do NOT leave trash in the area
- Water vessel rentals are available from the Recreation Department
- There is a restroom available at the building located at 900 S Marshall Ave. It is placed near a door that says “Employees Only”
- The Kalamazoo River is typically around three feet deep
- Wading in the river is allowed. IT IS ADVISED THAT EXTREME CAUTION IS USED!
- The trail officially runs from Stuart’s Landing to the Kalamazoo Avenue overpass
- There are two parking lots for the trail, located at each end of it. One at the end of Pearl Street. One at the Department of Recreation-900 S Marshall Ave
- The put-in area for kayaks and canoes is located at 900 S Marshall Ave
Nearby
I am a huge advocate of promoting local businesses when possible. While in Marshall, if you have the time, there are plenty of other things to check out and enjoy. I will be writing a full blog post of the city at a later time but here are some things you can enjoy now:
- Dark Horse Brewing Company – 511 S Kalamazoo Ave
- True North Ice Cream (afterall the days are very warm right now) – 403 S Kalamazoo Ave
- Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub – 115 S Eagle St
- Applebee’s Grill & Bar – 1205 W Michigan Ave
- Honolulu House Museum – 107 N Kalamazoo Ave
- Brook’s Memorial Fountain – 323 W Michigan Ave
- American Museum of Magic – 107 E Michigan Ave
- Marshall Skate Park – 610 E Hanover St
- Kid’s Kingdom – 610 Montgomery St
Yay or Nay
I give this an enthusiastic YAY! I was very impressed with the entire Marshall River Walk.
We spent just over two hours here walking and enjoying the sights and it never felt like we walked over two miles by the time we returned to our vehicle. The area is maintained and landscaped but still has a very natural ambiance. It was not crowded (always a bonus for me) but there were plenty of people around. We could hear them and only occasionally saw someone. I think this is a fabulous substitute for children to spend time at instead of a park or zoo and they will still be very active and engaged.
There is a power plant near Stuart’s Landing that kids and adults alike will enjoy watching for a few mintues from the bridge walk. The bridge and the water feed also made for a striking and nostalgic picture back drop…I’m thinking student pictures, etc.
The only con I had at the time was that it seemed like there were no restrooms but after talking to Justin at the Recreation Department, I now know there is one at the building and near an “employees only” door that faces the parking lot/river.
This area is a fantastic spot for outdoor and landscape photographers! I will be going back myself for that reason. I foolishly left my “good” camera at home thinking I was just going for a walk and almost instantly regretted that decision. Please, don’t be like me.
Last Views
Cost of the Day
- The ONLY cost I had for this adventure was for gas. I live approximately 25 minutes from Marshall and it was 47 miles round trip
Special Thanks
A great big Thank You to Justin Miller at the City of Marshall Recreation Department who so kindly and patiently answered my questions! I’m so glad I spoke to you – I learned a lot!