Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park

A Trail For All Seasons

The Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park is a multi-use recreation park on the abandoned rail line between Kalamazoo and South haven. The historic route attracted railroad builders as early as 1836, a year before Michigan achieved statehood. It created towns along the way, which today can provide food and lodging for Kal-Haven Trail users.
Linking Kalamazoo, a major southwest Michigan city, to South haven, a Lake Michigan resort area, the trail provides a unique experience for hikers, bicyclists, nature lovers, snowmobilers, equestrians and cross-country skiers.
In a new approach to park management, the trail was built as a State Park but jointly operated by the Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail, a nonprofit organization, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division.

Trail Guide

As you traverse the Kal-Haven Trail, you'll go through many towns and villages, cross over bridges, pass points of historical interest and go through some of Michigan's most beautiful countryside.
The EAST TERMINUS is located on 10th Street in Oshtemo Township near the City of Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo offers lodging, refreshments, bike repair, shopping and many other services. Heading west, you'll cross the first of seven bridges which once were railroad trestles. This stretch cuts through a hilly area beautifully covered with wildflowers in the spring.
Continuing westward, the next bridge you'll cross will be the Mentha bridge. Here the land is flat and very rich. Buildings must be set up on blocks to prevent floors form rotting due to extreme moisture. Mentha was once the world's largest producer of peppermint and spearmint.
You'll cross one more bridge, an old cattle crossing, before you get to the Village of Kendall just north of the trail.. The town of Gobles is a little further west. Both Gobles and Kendall offer a variety of services for trail users, from refreshments and restrooms to souvenirs.
On your way into Bloomingdale, our halfway point, you'll cross the Skunk Creek bridge, the shortest of all the trestles. In Bloomingdale is a restored depot used as a museum and a caboose utilized as an information center. Bloomingdale offers restaurants, shops and parking.
Over Barber Creek is an old camelback bridge. At times the camelback design was used on country roads to take vehicles over the trains. Across the trail in the Village of Grand Junction is the operating CSX Railroad. Refreshments can be purchased at a number of locations in Grand Junction and the village of Lacota.

From Lacota you'll travel on to South Haven. Near South Haven, spanning the Black River, is the largest trestle which has been changed to a covered bridge. South Haven, a resort town on Lake Michigan, provides lodging, private camping, refreshments, shopping and a public beach. Just south of town is Van Buren State Park with beach facilities. concession, picnicking and camping.

TRAIL TIPS

Be considerate of bikers coming your way. Keep right and allow oncoming traffic to pass.
Use caution when approaching driveways.
Stay on marked trail. Avoid trespassing on private adjacent property.
Slow down and use voice or bell to warn others as you pass.
Keep at least two bike lengths between riders.
Avoid blocking traffic on bridges.
Recognize poison ivy by its 3 leaflets. It can grow like a vine or ground cover.
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet long and under immediate control.
Put litter in its place. Three are receptacles in the towns and villages you'll go through and at designated rest stops.
Leave plants and wildflowers to be enjoyed in their natural setting. Take only pictures and Leave only footprints.

Please Remember

The trail is open from sunrise to 10pm.
Hunting is not allowed.
No ground fires.
Camping is not allowed on the trail.
Passes are no longer required.

For Further Information Contact: Van Buren State Park
23960 Ruggles Road
South Haven, MI 49090
616-637-2788 or 616-637-4984

Return to Tours and Sights Index
Return to Michigan Outdoor Sports Index

©