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.