Grand River in Michigan

Trip Overview

We put in at the Lowell Fairgrounds boat launch (no facilities) and paddled to Ada (take out at the Grand River Access boat launch (just east of Amway).

This was a very leisurely 2.5 hour paddle/drift on the longest river in Michigan. On this 92 degree Sunday afternoon, we saw deer, herons, only 2 personal watercraft and two fishing boats. We smelled the cows before we heard and saw them on the south bank of the river about 90 minutes into the paddle.

This is a great stretch of river for beginners, with very few houses.

Accommodations:

Inn and B&B in Lowell; none in Ada that I'm aware of. Many in the Grand Rapids area.

Favorite Lowell restaurant is Flat River Grill and in Ada it would be Vitale's.

Fees:

None

Directions:

I-96 to Lowell Exit (#52).

North to river and fairgrounds on right.