Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park:
Michigan
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
The nine towns that once stood between Kalamazoo and South Haven were connected by train traffic from 1870 to 1970. Some of those towns have faded into the past, but the old railroad corridor linking Kalamazoo and South Haven still hums with activity as the 34.5-mile Kal-Haven rail-trail, itself a state park.

Begin your adventure at the eastern trailhead on 10th Street in Kalamazoo. A refurbished caboose serves as the trail office and information center. The beginning of the trail is paved—though the majority of the route is crushed slag and limestone—and slopes gently downward. Trees flanking the trail offer many miles of shade before you enter the open fields of Mentha. Almost nothing remains of the old Mentha Plantation that built this area's reputation for producing some of the world's finest peppermint oil.

Continuing west you pass on the south edge of Kendall and Gobles. The restored Bloomingdale Depot stands as the halfway point of the trail and houses a museum filled with railroad and local history.

In Grand Junction a pedestrian walkway will carry you over active train tracks. About 1 mile before reaching Grand Junction, the bridle trail starts and follows the trail until 1 mile beyond the town of Kibbie. Just 2 miles past Grand Junction you will cross the Camelback Bridge, name by its unique curved camelback style, over Barber Creek. In early spring the trail here is lined with a white carpet of wild trilliums.

The covered bridge over the Black River signals that you are nearing the end of the trail, and you begin winding uphill to the South Haven staging area.

... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Kalamazoo trailhead, take Interstate 131 to exit 38. Turn left on 10th Street and follow 10th Street for for 2 miles. The trailhead on you're left.
To access the South Haven trailhead, take Interstate 196 to exit 20. Take Phoenix Road west to Bailey Road. Turn right on Bailey Road and left onto to Wells Sreet. The trailhead will be on your left.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Nice trail, but beware as it is NOT paved
By jkolle in June, 2011
The grades are gentle, the scenery was nice, but we were not prepared to ride on a non-paved trail, basically a dirt trail. We pulled a Burley and it is less than ideal. We rode from Grand Junction to South Haven and back, which is 10 miles on the trail. We wouldn't do anymore pulling something.
Great Family Ride!
By michael mcdermott in July, 2010
We just got my 5 and 7 year old off of training wheels and decided to give a light ride a go on the Kal-Haven Trail. It was a huge success! It's a fairly easy ride with a very forgiving surface. We live near the K-Zoo trial head and hopped on, went 2.5 miles in, had lunch, turned around and road back to the trail head. It's mostly downhill heading west into the trail which made the ride back a bit slower but the grade was light and was easily manageable by my 5 year old (with dad giving him pushes every now and then). Love the trail and the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is nice too for the little ones, it's paved! Get out and ride!
K is mistaken on the scenery
By Pride21 in July, 2010
Riding this trail is the highlight of my year. I have ridden the Kal-haven trail three times and walk it frequently. In the early spring there are fields of wild flowers and Trillium. In the fall the leaves are amazing. If you pay attention there is all kinds of wildlife. I frequently see deer, turkey racoons and have seen several red tail hawk. All kinds of birds everywhere. You are riding through woods and small towns. There is also a town that closed many years ago. This trail is beautiful, if you don't see any scenery you might consider slowing down and experiencing what the trail has to offer. The trail ends in beautiful South Haven Michigan where you can go to the peer and embrace a beautiful sunset. South Haven has nice people, great shops and lodging. This trail ride in my opinion is a must experience. Have a great ride.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Kalamazoo to South Haven
Counties: Kalamazoo, Van Buren
Trail Length: 34.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Fishing, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016162

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Midwestern rail-trails in RTC's Midwestern Guidebook.