West Michigan Rivers Adventures

While the lakes of West Michigan bring visitors from all over, we shouldn’t overlook rivers and streams for their ability to bring out the best of what nature has to offer. Historically, they were the original highways throughout what was once untamed wilderness. Fortunately, some of this wilderness survives, and within the forests run the very waterways that once carried indigenous people who were the first on the land.

Now, rivers throughout West Michigan offer many recreational opportunities, from kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and other types of entertainment like bird watching, fishing, and even exploring native plants and animals. Here are a few of the most popular rivers that welcome us to partake of the beauty of nature. 

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The Grand River Heritage Water Trail

The Grand River represents a tremendous recreational resource that is available for use and enjoyment by many for peaceful paddling, the exploration of parks and other sites, learning about the river’s natural characteristics, and discovery of the rich human history of Ottawa County tied directly to the river.

The Grand River Heritage Water Trail is a 41-mile water trail that encompasses nine distinct routes along the Grand River in Ottawa County. The slow, meandering river averages about 3 miles per hour, making it an ideal river to explore and see many of the natural and cultural assets along its shoreline. Paddlers can access the water trail at 18 different access points along the trail.

The Grand River has six tributaries, which are Red Cedar River, Looking Glass River, Maple River, Flat River, Thornapple River, and Rogue River. The Grand River that flows through downtown Grand Rapids is a major focus of the aquatic adventure. You can launch your own watercraft from nine local public access sites, rent a canoe or kayak for a guided tour, even take a scenic paddlewheel riverboat cruise. Three close-by tributary rivers – Flat River, Rogue River and Thornapple River – offer additional boating opportunities.

Muskegon River Water Trail

The Muskegon River is a 216-mile-long river in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. From its source at Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, the river flows in a generally southwesterly direction to its mouth at Lake Michigan at the eponymous city of Muskegon. Wikipedia

The Muskegon River finds its source in the Houghton Lake area, in the north-central portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula.  It winds its way over 200 miles to empty into Muskegon Lake, which is connected to lake Michigan by a long channel. This river is a big tailwater and is most effectively fished from a drift boat or jet sled. When stealth and easy movement are a necessity, driftboats are your best bet. A jet sled, though, can get you to and from certain “hot spots” quickly and safely while also giving you more time to fly fish.  That being said, it has several good areas for walk-in anglers who want to wade fish in the river.  A fair amount of public land is in the first 6+ miles of river, below Croton hydroelectric dam, just east of Newaygo.

White River Water Trail

The White River is a 23.6-mile-long river located on the western side of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Its source is the Oxford Swamp in Newaygo County. The rural town of Hesperia borders the river. Wikipedia

Thornapple River

This 88-mile-long tributary of the Grand River is a popular fishing, boating and tubing destination. Fishing access is plentiful and watercraft rentals are available from several businesses along the river route. GR Paddling offers guided tours ranging in length from three to 10 miles. A 125-foot-long wooden pedestrian bridge spans the Thornapple in Ada, 10 miles east of Grand Rapids.

Rogue River Water Trail

The White River is a 23.6-mile-long river located on the western side of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Its source is the Oxford Swamp in Newaygo County. The rural town of Hesperia borders the river. Wikipedia

This 48-mile long tributary of the Grand River runs through the town of Rockford and is a popular destination for trout fishing and scenic cruises.

Flat River Water Trail

The Flat river is a warm water fishery that empties into the Grand River in the town of Lowell, Michigan.   It’s a short 15 minute drive east of Grand Rapids to reach this small town and quality Smallmouth Bass fishery just off I-96.

This Grand River tributary flows peacefully through the city of Lowell, where the Flat River Grill offers patio views of the water and the historic Lowell Showboat. The Flat has a reputation as an excellent smallmouth bass stream and different stretches are ideal for float-type fishing and wading. Much of the river is canoeable, especially in the spring and summer.

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