Kal-Haven Trail
Encyclopedia
The Kal-Haven Trail, formally known as the Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park, is a rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
that originally ran 33.5 miles (55 km) between South Haven, Michigan
South Haven, Michigan
South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
, to a point just west of the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
, where there is a trailhead
Trailhead
A trailhead is the point at which a trail begins, where the trail is often intended for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or off-road vehicles...
. In 2008 the trail was extended east from the trailhead to downtown Kalamazoo as part of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is a 35-mile non-motorized trail in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. A master plan for the Trail was completed and portions of the trail are finished and open to the public...
.
Most of the trail is in Van Buren County
Van Buren County, Michigan
-Parks, preserves, natural areas:* Dunes Parkway, an 84 acre preserve of dunes in Covert Township* Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve, a 49 acre preserve in Columbia Township...
and that county operates it between the trailhead and South Haven, including the parts within Kalamazoo County. The Van Buren-controlled length requires a trail pass. The portion between the trailhead and downtown Kalamazoo does not require a pass.
The Kal-Haven Trail runs along the former route of the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad
Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad
The Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad is a defunct railroad which operated in southern Michigan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
, as does a section of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. It traverses wooded areas, farmland and small towns. It is primarily used by hikers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and bicyclists
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
in the summer, and by snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
rs in the winter. The trail is surfaced, though not blacktop
Asphalt concrete
Asphalt concrete is a composite material commonly used in construction projects such as road surfaces, airports and parking lots. It consists of asphalt and mineral aggregate mixed together, then laid down in layers and compacted...
ped. Horseback riding is allowed on an 11 mile section adjacent to the trail. The starting point for riding is at 67th street and Baseline road.
There are two primitive campgrounds that can be used at an additional cost. One, near Gobles
Gobles, Michigan
Gobles is a city in Van Buren County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 829. It was originally called Gobleville, after its founders, the Goble family.-History:...
, has water and a toilet. The other near South Haven
South Haven, Michigan
South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
has a toilet but no water.
Currently the trail passes through the following locations, from east to west:
- Alamo, Michigan
- Mentha, Michigan
- Kendall, Michigan
- Pine Grove Mills, Michigan
- Gobles, MichiganGobles, MichiganGobles is a city in Van Buren County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 829. It was originally called Gobleville, after its founders, the Goble family.-History:...
- Bloomingdale, MichiganBloomingdale, MichiganBloomingdale is a village in Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 528 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Bloomingdale Township and is the township seat....
- Berlamont, Michigan
- Grand Junction, Michigan
- Lacota, Michigan
- Kibbe, Michigan
- South Haven, MichiganSouth Haven, MichiganSouth Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
The trail is owned by the state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
but, due to state budget cutbacks, in 2004 operation was taken over by Van Buren County, including the portion in Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo County, Michigan
-Air Service:*The Kalamazoo & Battle Creek Metro Area is served by Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.-Interstates:* I-94* I-94 Business Loop-US highways:* US-131* BUS US 131-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-43* M-89* M-96...
. A trail pass system was re-instituted to pay for trail maintenance. Passes are available from the county, at trailheads, and some stores along the route.
The Kalamazoo Trail Head to South Haven Trail Head contain major horse fly populations. You pass through small towns, one notably is Gobles, Michigan. Throughout this trail are many cautionary signs, such as Stop Sign and stop ahead.
Several miles south of the western terminus is another trail—the Van Buren Trail State Park
Van Buren Trail State Park
Van Buren Trail State Park, also known as Trail State Park, is an unimproved rail trail running along a former railroad right-of-way between Hartford, Michigan to just south of South Haven, Michigan in Van Buren County. It is long and mostly used by horse trail riders in the summer and...
. This is also an old railroad bed, ending in Hartford, Michigan
Hartford, Michigan
Hartford is a city in Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,476 at the 2000 census. The city is located within Hartford Township, but is politically independent.-Geography:...
. The trail is unimproved and the largest group of users are snowmobilers and horse and buggy riders. This is also operated by Van Buren County. The trail pass is valid for both.
For the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, in November 2004 the State of Michigan completed a tunnel underneath the U.S. Highway 131 freeway, which was the major impediment to extending the trail to downtown Kalamazoo. The city of Kalamazoo approved a $1 million project to extend the trail southeast under U.S. 131 along Ravine Road to Westnedge Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo. Most of the extension was built along the former roadbed of the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad.
Waypoints
WaypointWaypoint
A waypoint is a reference point in physical space used for purposes of navigation.-Concept:Waypoints are sets of coordinates that identify a point in physical space. Coordinates used can vary depending on the application. For terrestrial navigation these coordinates can include longitude and...
s for the Kal-Haven Trail.
↑ in the Distance column points to the other waypoint that the distance is between.
| Location | Services | Distance (approx.) | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Haven, Michigan South Haven, Michigan South Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census.... |
Parking | 42.41127°N 86.26309°W | |
| Waypoint 2 | Drinking Fountain, Parking, Restroom | ↑ 3.9 miles (6.3 km) | 42.41788°N 86.18823°W |
| Grand Junction, Michigan | Parking, Restroom | ↑ 5.8 miles (9.3 km) | 42.40381°N 86.07654°W |
| Bloomingdale, Michigan Bloomingdale, Michigan Bloomingdale is a village in Van Buren County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 528 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Bloomingdale Township and is the township seat.... |
Drinking Fountain, Restroom | ↑ 6.2 miles (10 km) | 42.38323°N 85.95803°W |
| Waypoint 5 | Restroom | ↑ 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | 42.37594°N 85.92221°W |
| Waypoint 6 | Drinking Fountain, Restroom | ↑ 3.4 miles (5.5 km) | 42.35399°N 85.86372°W |
| Kendall, Michigan | Restroom | ↑ 2 miles (3.2 km) | 42.36044°N 85.82473°W |
| Waypoint 8 | Drinking Fountain, Restroom | ↑ 2.9 miles (4.7 km) | 42.35695°N 85.76845°W |
| Waypoint 9 | Drinking Fountain, Restroom | ↑ 3.3 miles (5.3 km) | 42.3698°N 85.70742°W |
| Kalamazoo, Michigan Kalamazoo, Michigan The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to... |
Parking | ↑ 3.7 miles (6 km) | 42.32563°N 85.66876°W |