Michigan Trails Magazine 2020 • www.MiTrails.org ©2020 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved.

Van

Bu

ren Trail S

tate Park • K

al-Haven

Trail State P

arkWest Michigan Trails

31

140

140

140

196

31

196

31

94

43

South Haven AreaRegional Airport

16th

20th

12th

8th

Lovejoy

S Haven

Aylworth

HuronErie

Wells

Phoenix

Co Rd 384

Co Rd 388

102nd

Baseline

Co

Rd

687

24th

28th

32th

38th

40th

34th

42th

44th

48th 48th

52nd

56thProspect

Red Arrow Hwy

Van Rd

Hagar Shore

44th

36th

Lake

72nd

65th

68th

69th

70th

72nd

66th

62th

66th

76th

Bailey

Kalam

azoo

Mo

nro

e

Map

le

5 S

tar

Hw

y

N S

hore

Dr

76th

Co Rd 380

Co Rd 378

Co Rd 376

Co Rd 372

Co

Rd

68764th

N C

enter S

t

Rush Lake Rd

N C

ou

nty Lin

e Rd

67 1/2 St

70th S

t

72nd

N W

atervliet

Ger

ald

R F

ord

Fw

y

Dyckman

Hartford

Coloma

Watervliet

Covert

LacotaSouth Haven

Kal-Haven Trail

Van

Bur

en T

rail

Van Buren Trail

1

5

2

4

3

Blu

e S

tar

Hw

y

Paw Paw River

Paw Paw Lake

South Branch Black River

B lack

Riv

er

Deerlick Creek

LA

KE

M

IC

HI

GA

N

Van Buren Trail Access Access Site Parking Restrooms Water

1 Prospect Avenue Trailhead Yes No No

2 Van Buren State Park Yes Yes Yes

3 Downtown South Haven Yes Yes Yes

Kal-Haven Trail Access

3 Downtown South Haven Yes Yes Yes

4 Bailey Avenue Trailhead Yes Yes Yes

5 South Beach Park Yes Yes Yes

0 31.5

Miles

Trails Legend

Paved TrailGrass and Gravel TrailLimestone TrailConnector RouteProposed or Planned TrailHighwaysRoads

Paved trail near Van Buren State Park.

Ride along the channel to South Beach Park.

Van Buren Trail State ParkThe 5.5-mile section of trail from Van Buren State Park to South Haven was completed in 2015, paved with a 10-foot-wide asphalt surface and extended within six blocks of the downtown trailhead. We rode it on a beautiful summer day, and it’s a real gem, connecting two of Michigan’s best beaches. It was over 90 degrees that day, and the cool swim at the end was refreshing.

The 15-mile Van Buren Trail State Park runs from South Haven to Hartford on the former Toledo & South Haven Railroad. The 2.5-mile spur from 16th Avenue to Van Buren State Park was built on an abandoned rail line that was used during construction of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. The trail surface from 16th Avenue to Hartford is unimproved grass and gravel, but nicely maintained, and mowed, and best suited for fat tire bikes. Equestrian and snowmobile use is permitted and popular along this section of the trail.

Enjoy the quiet solitude of nature as you travel through blueberry fields, woodlands and meadows and cross a bridge over the Paw Paw River just west of Hartford. The village of Covert marks the approximate halfway point. There are no public restrooms or water along the Van Buren Trail, so plan accordingly.

South Haven is an ideal location to stage your rides on the Van Buren and Kal-Haven trails with ample lodging, restaurants, and lots of local atractions.

©2020 Rockford Advertising. All rights reserved.

Kal-Haven Trail Scenic Connector RouteThe city of South Haven has developed a connector route that links the Van Buren Trail with the Kal-Haven Trail, passing through the downtown shopping and dining district, and along the Black River channel to South Beach Park, the lighthouse, and a bluff with panoramic views of Lake Michigan (see detailed map on the following page). It’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery in South Haven.