Kal-Haven — firm-limestone Kalamazoo return
Michigan · Rail-trail
At the public 10th Street caboose trailhead take the Kal-Haven trail WEST for up to two miles and retrace. The paved trail east is the distinct Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. Do not add muddy, rutted or snow-covered tread, equestrian branches or road links.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Kalamazoo · Michigan
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Main crushed limestone/slag rail trail; firm dry tread only
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Mostly gentle railway course with a gradual grade at the Kalamazoo end. Wider tires recommended; narrow road tires not recommended by DNR.
- Starting location
- Kal-Haven public 10th Street trailhead and caboose, North 10th Street, Kalamazoo, MI
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Named mapped trail/park reference, not the exact selected public entrance, parking lot or driving route. Use the separate written public start.
Kal-Haven — firm-limestone Kalamazoo return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Kal-Haven public 10th Street trailhead and caboose, North 10th Street, Kalamazoo, MI.
County’s actual trail map identifies the shared public 10th Street trailhead. Use signed public trail parking and obey current DNR vehicle-entry requirements; parking and seasonal facilities are separate from bicycle permission.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 4 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: At the public 10th Street caboose trailhead take the Kal-Haven trail WEST for up to two miles and retrace. The paved trail east is the distinct Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. Do not add muddy, rutted or snow-covered tread, equestrian branches or road links.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Main crushed limestone/slag rail trail; firm dry tread only. Mostly gentle railway course with a gradual grade at the Kalamazoo end. Wider tires recommended; narrow road tires not recommended by DNR.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. DNR’s fresh indexed profile confirms limestone/slag bicycle use and warns against road bikes. Friends confirms that rain and spring thaw soften the surface. Direct DNR retrieval was denied; this is a dry-surface selection, not a claim every western bridge or full corridor is presently open. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.