![]() ![]() You can follow us on Instagram, our Facebook page, and Twitter. Plus, you can see each of the parks we visited on this interactive Google Map. We have plenty more adventures to come, so subscribe to this blog and our YouTube channel. We also have videos about Kal-Haven Trail and Van Buren Trail state parks. If you wish to check out one or both of these linear state parks and need overnight accommodations, camping is available at nearby Van Buren State Park, located five miles south of South Haven. While these two trails are completely different from each other, they both are great examples of how Michigan has been able to repurpose the old abandoned railroad lines into recreation opportunities. Where the trail splits – dirt goes to Hartford, the paved portion to the Van Buren State Park (as facing south) Overview It mostly just looks like a gravel two-track off to the east side. Be careful not to pass it, as there is not really any major marker announcing the linear state park. From either direction, take the paved spur about halfway (2.5miles) to the split for the Van Buren Trail State Park. Visitors can use public parking lots in South Haven, or park at Van Buren State Park. However, there is no designated DNR lot in South Haven. If you begin at the Hartford end there is a designated parking area. The biggest challenge is actually finding the trailhead. Note: no horses or snowmobiles are allowed on the paved section in South Haven. ![]() Van Buren Trail State Park is a multi-use trail, suitable for mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter, and of course, walking or running. The grassy dirt trail runs through open farmland, blueberry fields, dense brush, and wooded areas. ![]() The Van Buren Trail State Park near South Haven This linear state park actually connects to a 4.5-mile paved spur that runs between downtown South Haven and Van Buren State Park. Van Buren Trail State Park is 14 miles of an unimproved old railroad bed that runs from the outskirts of South Haven to the city of Hartford. Thirty-one informational signs along the trail detail the history of the railroad, the towns, and other interesting historical facts. The Kal-Haven Heritage Trail Project was installed in 2019 to tell the story of the trail. Maps available online detail these locations and amenities. Depending on the stop you might find a vault toilet, hand-pump or picnic table. The fix-it station at Kal-Haven Trail State Park trailheadĪlong the trail you’ll find designated pitstops. Also, before you depart, read the small display detailing the history of the railroad and the trail. A very handy feature is the bike fix-it station. Two popular features of this linear state park are the covered bridge over the Black River and the camelback bridge east of Grand Junction.Ī big paved parking lot with vault toilets and a covered shelter with picnic tables is at the South Haven trailhead. Kal-Haven Trail State Park winds through lots of woods, farmland, blueberry fields, and over rivers and streams as it passes through busy towns and small villages. Although we might not recommend slick road bike tires. The hard-packed limestone slag surface is suitable for most all types of bikes – mountain bikes, hybrids, kids, touring, recumbents, etc. Friends of Kal-Haven help with maintaining the trail and their website is full of information. The Kal-Haven Trail State Park is a rails-to-trails conversion on the bed of the former Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad that ran from 1870 to 1970. The multi-use trail is for biking, running, walking your dog, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling when there are at least 4 inches of snow. Kal-Haven Trail State Park is a 33-mile linear state park that connects the cities of South Haven and Kalamazoo. Van Buren Trail State Park and Kal-Haven Trail State Park are both linear state parks with trailheads in South Haven, Michigan. Covered Bridge over the Black River on the Kal-Haven State Trail ![]()
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