Trail description: 34-mile multi-use trail runs east from South Haven on Lake Michigan to Kalamazoo. Access fee:State trail pass Towns along the trail: South Haven, Bloomingdale, Gobles, Kalamazoo Web site:Kal-haven Trail State Park Trail map: Available at the park Trail surface: Gravel Designated activities: Bicycling and walking on the entire length, horseback riding between Mile 3 and Mile 16, snowmobiling Mile 0 to Mile 30, cross-country skiing Mile 30 to Mile 34. Facilities on the trail: Water, picnic tables and toilets are located every few miles. Restaurants are in each town. Points of interest: Beach and Maritime Museum at South Haven Lodging: South Haven has several vacation resorts. Kalamazoo has inns and motels. Camping: Van Buren State Park a few miles south of South Haven has 220 sites. Cousin's Campground, 0.5 miles north of South Haven has 50 sites. Bike shops: Bike rentals and repairs are available in South Haven, Bloomingdale and Kalamazoo. Weather forecast:Kalamazoo Tourism info:Kalamazoo Visitors Bureau | South Haven Visitors Bureau Getting to the trail: Mile 0 is in South Haven. The eastern terminus is on the west side of Kalamazoo at 10th Street north of Highway 43. Parking lots are available in each town. Map of local region:South Haven | Bloomingdale | Gobles | Kalamazoo
Trail name: Kal-Haven Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: August, 2004 Sections that I biked: Alamo to Gobles.
Mentha to Bloomingdale.
Bloomingdale to South Haven. My favourite sections of the trail: Alamo to Kibbe Best time to go: No response. Have only tried it in August. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: Solitude, shade, wildlife. What I disliked: It may have been me, but I did not see Mile Markers on a regular basis......did estimating sometimes......Did I just miss them? The problem was mostly between Bloomingdale and South Haven. Comments: No need to eat out, as I packed my own. Not as many out houses as I thought there would be, and some of the water pumps were removed....why?
Too bad there are so many driveways to have to watch out for.....have to cross many of them. Submitted by: AK from: Kalamazoo Date submitted: Aug 9, 2004
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Trail name: Kal-Haven Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Once Date of last visit: Nov, 2003 Sections that I biked: The whole trail from Kalamazoo to South Haven and back in one day. My favourite sections of the trail: I enjoyed the whole trail except a section where the air had a strong cow aroma. Best time to go: Early fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: The scenery was nice, the round trip trail was difficult enough to be challenging but not impossible. I did it all in a nice steady 3 hours each way and an hour break (and omelet) in South Haven. What I disliked: State bathrooms closed because of budget cuts. Most of the small towns dead at the time of year I went. Comments: I would recommend starting in Kalamazoo and going toward South Haven. Neither trail heads end right in the city but the South Haven trail head is close to the city you just need to head south a little ways and head into town. The Kalamazoo end is not close to anything in the way of food or lodging. Submitted by: Kevin from: Harper Woods, MI Date submitted: Nov 3, 2003
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Trail name: Kal-Haven Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: July, 2003 Sections that I biked: The entire 54 kilometres-- both ways. My favourite sections of the trail: The entire trail is a beautiful stting and is perfect for a bike trail WITH THE PROVISO THAT it is maintained. Best time to go: For cyclists-- during the summer. Obviously. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Poor Rating: 1.5 stars What I liked: The trail has a good solid railroad bed underneath. The scenery is without peer. It has excellent potential. What I disliked: "Due to budget problems" the state has stopped maintaining the trail. And it shows. Twigs litter the trail and become lodged in the spokes. Tree branches sufficient to require evasion manoeuvres are prevalent. Tree limbs partially block the trail. Near South Haven is a fallen tree that blocks the entire trail. Trash Cans have been removed. Many of the bathrooms have been closed. Most of the water fountains at the rest stops are now inoperative. Damage and vandalism will NOT be fixed. Need any more be said? Something needs to be done about this. Fast. Comments: There are some potholes, wash-outs, and erosions beginning to appear. Debris from trees in the wooded areas is everywhere. It is sad that such a beautiful trail as this is no longer maintained. Its neglect is NOT saving money. It is costing money. Soon many repairs will be necessary if maintenance is not restored. Submitted by: Al D'Errico from: Portage, MI Date submitted: July 13, 2003
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Trail name: Kal-Haven Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Weekly Date of last visit: June, 2002 Sections that I biked: I have biked the entire trail from South Haven to Kalamazoo. Since I live in South Haven I tend to bike sections on the west end. My favourite sections of the trail: The stretch from about the 7 mile mark to the 15 mile mark is easy to ride and gives a variety of scenery. Best time to go: I enjoy biking in the fall when the leaves are changing color. Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars Likes and dislikes: Easy to ride. No chance of getting lost. Scenery varies somewhat. Very flat with long slow grades. Comments: After the 4 mile mark prepare for the open field and passing the pig farm! Depends on the day but can be a nuisance. The park in Bloomingdale is nice to picnic in. There are some places in Gobles also. The last 2 miles into the Kalamazoo trail head is the longest up hill grade! However heading back west you don't have to pedal much on the down hill! Submitted by: Chris Wagoner from: South Haven, MI Date submitted: June 11, 2002
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Trail name: Kal-Haven Trail State Park Times biking the trail: Several Date of last visit: Sept, 1999 Sections that I biked: Entire length, but mostly from Kalamazoo to Bloomingdale My favourite sections of the trail: I love it all--the wide open spaces across fields, wooden bridges, and wooded areas Best time to go: Spring and Fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars Likes and dislikes: It's close to where we live, it's safe with no cars except where the trail crosses the road, there is a variety of scenery Comments: We particularly like to stay in South Haven (at the Sand Castle Inn) as biking the trail adds to the list of many things to do there (Lake Michigan sailing & beaches, shopping, lounging, walking) Submitted by: C Bonnes from: Kalamazoo, MI Date submitted: Aug 25, 2001
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