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Where to Kayak, Fish, and Float on the Muskegon River
Flowing more than 200 miles from its headwaters at Houghton Lake to Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, the Muskegon River is one of Michigan’s great “all-around” rivers. It’s the second-longest river in the state and drains a wide watershed that includes the Little Muskegon River, Hersey River, Clam River, and many smaller streams.
Here in Mecosta County, the river runs right through Big Rapids, creating an easy home base for kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and fishing. It’s also a great base for day trips to well-known stretches downstream in Newaygo County and beyond.
Kayaking & Paddling: Best Launches and Routes
Big Rapids Riverside Park: Beginner-Friendly City Launch
Riverside Park in Big Rapids is one of the easiest ways to get on the Muskegon River if you’re short on time or new to paddling. The park sits right along the river with convenient parking and green space to stage boats, so getting on the water is easy. It’s ideal for quick paddles when you don’t have a full day to dedicate. You can also set up simple point-to-point downstream runs by arranging a pickup, depending on water levels and your comfort. Because you’re still in town, cell service is reliable, and it’s easy to pair your paddle with coffee, lunch, or dinner in Big Rapids afterward.
Paris Park: Scenic Mid-River Paddling
Just north of Big Rapids, Paris Park is known for tubing, but it’s equally great as a launch for kayaks and canoes. This stretch of the Muskegon usually has a steady but forgiving current, which makes it a good fit for mixed-experience groups. You can keep things simple with a short out-and-back from the Paris Park launch, or link up with upstream access points like Green Township or Hersey for longer half-day trips that end at the park. With parking, seasonal restrooms, and an easy place to load and unload boats, Paris Park is a convenient hub. If your group includes both paddlers and tubers, it’s a smart meet-up spot where everyone can finish together.
Davis Bridge Boat Launch & Nearby Rogers Pond
A bit farther downstream, Davis Bridge Boat Launch Park sits on a broader, reservoir-like section of the Muskegon associated with Hardy Dam Pond, giving you access to miles of flatwater paddling and excellent fishing. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates Davis Bridge as a primary access site, with a hard-surface boat launch, vehicle and trailer parking, and roughly 18 miles of navigable water. From here, you can explore broad backwaters upstream for a lake-style, low-current paddle, or head downstream toward Hardy Dam Pond’s narrower channels and coves for more variety and wildlife watching.
Upstream, Rogers Dam Pond also offers a DNR-managed boat launch on quiet flatwater, giving paddlers and anglers another option in the same corridor. It’s a great choice if your group includes serious anglers who still want a relaxed paddle between fishing spots.
Hemlock Park: ADA-Access in the Heart of Big Rapids
Hemlock Park, just a short distance from downtown Big Rapids, has become a showcase for inclusive river access. The Dr. Jerry and Rita Conrad “Doc’s Dock” provides an ADA-accessible kayak launch designed so paddlers with mobility challenges can safely and independently enter and exit the water. The park also features trails, sports courts, a splash pad, and picnic areas, making it easy for non-paddlers to relax on shore while others hit the river. For families, multi-generational trips, or anyone who needs a more stable launch setup, Hemlock is an excellent starting point.
Bridgeton Township Park to Maple Island
For one of Muskegon’s most popular day-trip paddles, head south to Bridgeton Township Park in Newaygo County. The park offers good parking, a quality boat ramp, an ADA-accessible kayak launch, and seasonal restrooms, making it an easy place to start. From Bridgeton Township Park to the Maple Island launch is roughly a three-hour paddle under typical summer flows, with plenty of chances to spot eagles, herons, and other wildlife along the way. Paddle from Bridgeton to Maple Island, then head back to Big Rapids for dinner and a walk along the riverfront.
Floating & Tubing the Muskegon River
Paris Park: Tubing Hub of Mecosta County
If you picture a summer day spent lazily drifting down the river, Paris Park is probably where you’ll end up. Mecosta County Parks partners with local transit services and outfitters to run tubing trips that start upstream and finish at Paris Park. Typical float times range from about 3–4 hours from the Green Township launch to Paris Park, to a longer, full-afternoon float of around 10 river miles from Hersey to Paris Park.
Tubing packages usually include a river tube, personal flotation device (PFD), tie-off cords for linking with friends, and shuttle transportation to the launch site. Cooler tubes and ice are often available for an extra fee. Always confirm current prices and age or height rules directly with the park or outfitter before you go.
Short Floats from Big Rapids Riverside Park
Riverside Park is an easy launch point for quick, family-friendly floats close to town. Use a local shuttle or two vehicles to set up a short downstream run during lower-flow summer conditions. It’s perfect for kids and first-timers who want a taste of river tubing without a three-hour commitment.
Bridgeton Township Park (Just Downstream)
The Bridgeton-to-Maple Island stretch isn’t just for kayaks. On warm, stable-flow days, it can also be a longer, more adventurous float for experienced groups. This 8-mile run takes significantly longer in tubes than in kayaks, so plan for a full-day outing. Down here, the river is broader, with long, sweeping bends and more of a “big river” feel than the more intimate sections around Paris Park and Big Rapids.
Fishing for Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon
Davis Bridge & Rogers Pond
For anglers, the Muskegon River around Davis Bridge and the nearby reservoirs is a versatile fishery. The reservoir-like waters associated with Hardy Dam Pond hold a mix of warm-water species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, and panfish, with opportunities shifting seasonally.
The Rogers Dam Pond boat launch gives similar access to flatwater fishing on another of Muskegon’s major impoundments, with DNR-managed access and parking. Boat anglers, kayak anglers, and shore casters all use these access points. Check the latest DNR fisheries reports and local tackle shops for current patterns and regulations.
Paris Park & Big Rapids Area
Between Big Rapids and Paris Park, anglers find a mix of wading and small-boat opportunities. In moderate flows, gravel bars and shallower runs can be accessible for bank fishing or cautious wading in proper gear. You can expect a blend of smallmouth bass, walleye, and panfish, along with seasonal trout in cooler periods. When river flows spike after heavy rain or dam releases upstream, visibility and wading safety change quickly, so always check current conditions before stepping in. Local fishing reports and fly/gear shops are your best resource for up-to-date advice on this mid-river section.
Below Croton Dam: A Short Drive for Big Fish
For many anglers, the Muskegon River really becomes famous below Croton Dam in Newaygo County. An easy day trip from Big Rapids, this tailwater section is known for strong runs of steelhead, Chinook salmon, and brown trout, along with resident trout that benefit from consistently cool water. Cold springs and feeder creeks help maintain favorable water temperatures and oxygen, creating a high-quality habitat for migratory and resident fish. Wading anglers usually concentrate between Croton Dam and access points further downstream, while drift boats and jet boats can cover more water.
Trip-Planning FAQs
When is the best time of year for kayaking, tubing, and fishing?
- Kayaking & canoeing: Late spring through early fall, with shoulder seasons for experienced paddlers with cold-water gear.
- Tubing: Mid-summer, when air and water are warm and flows are lower and more forgiving.
- Fishing: Spring and fall for steelhead and salmon below Croton Dam; warm months for smallmouth, walleye, and panfish in local reservoirs and mid-river sections.
Where can I find official information about Muskegon River boat launches? You can use the Michigan DNR boating access maps and the Michigan Recreation Search to confirm launch locations, parking, fees, and ramp types.
How do I check current river flows and conditions? Before any river trip, check USGS or Michigan DNR river gauges for current Muskegon River levels and flows. If you’ll be near a dam or reservoir, confirm any scheduled dam releases that could change conditions. Local outfitters and guides are also a great real-time resource. If they’re rescheduling or shortening trips, take that as your cue to adjust your plans.
Your River Basecamp
Whether you’re here to float with friends, paddle a new stretch, or chase trout and steelhead, Big Rapids makes an ideal jumping-off point for exploring the Muskegon River. From here, you can access multiple launches in Mecosta County within a short drive, or take easy day trips to well-known stretches like Bridgeton–Maple Island or Croton Dam. Pair your river time with local dining, shopping, events, and plenty more things to do around Mecosta County. With Big Rapids as your home base, Muskegon River will be the thread that ties your whole West Michigan getaway together.