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County Line Road has roadside parking with fair access. The walkway from the road to the river's edge is fairly well worn, although the rocks at the water's edge can make it tricky getting into your kayak or canoe.
Country Kettle Restaurant / Paw Paw River Campground The folks at the restaurant have always been kind enough to let us leave our vehicle near the launch area, but stop in to ask permission first. The access is grassy, easy and there is plenty of parking space.
Hays Park There is a floating dock that is intended for kayaks and canoes. So far, we can't figure out how to get a 16 foot canoe out of the water and up the ramp, given the handrails and poles in the way. So far, our plan of attack has been to run the old dam (whee!) and paddle upstream to a rocky low spot (whew!).
Note the Google map shows a fork in the river near the campground, leading out to Paw Paw Lake. This is not accurate. There are flood control gates that could be opened to allow water to flow through, but since 2007 that area more closely resembles a marsh with no open water.
The paddle time from County Line Road to Hays Park is about three hours at a very leisurely pace. From County Line Road to Country Kettle Restaurant, the river flows through wooded areas with low muddy banks. Watch for the new path being carved by the river on river left. It's more noticeable when that little stream rejoins the mainstream (just past the big hollowed out sycamore). There are two cottages along this section. Generally the folks at the Paw Paw River Campgrounds keep this section of the river cleared of major obstacles. Be prepared to navigate some deadfalls in the spring or early summer.
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The Country Kettle Restaurant and Paw Paw River Campgrounds will be on river right. As you weave your way past the low campground sites, consider that we once ran the river when the water levels covered those sites (there were carp splashing their way through the trees).
Past the campground, the river turns around 180 degrees. There are typically a few downed trees for the next 15 minutes, but are easily avoided or bumped through. Then the river widens and there are many fewer obstacles to worry about.
The river has been restored to its natural course, the two old dams removed. The first removed dam is noticeable because of the very new erosion control banks and rocks, designed by the DNR. The water hasn't smoothed out the rocks yet, so it's quite noisy as it splashes along. If you follow the natural course to the right, you'll encounter quite a few downed trees including one very significant tree trunk (submerged but with two feet still above the waterline) that literally crosses the river bank to bank. This is why we take the left branch.
To the left, there is a short section of slow water with high banks, then the river gathers a little speed over the old weir and towards the second dam. The river takes a right turn, then over the old dam you go. Please scout this section of rapids before running the dam. Water levels, boulders, paddling partner and choice of watercraft will factor into your decision and route. We have run the dam three times in our canoe, generally about 1/3 of the distance from river right. There is a strong current and eddies though, so stay alert.
As mentioned above, the take out options at Hays Park are either at the official canoe launch (a floating dock in a swift, deep section of the river) located just upstream of M-140 highway. We typically paddle up the other branch of the river and pull out at another area where the DNR has planted a few saplings and many sharp rocks.
The paddle time from County Line Road to Hays Park is about three hours at a very leisurely pace. From County Line Road to Country Kettle Restaurant, the river flows through wooded areas with low muddy banks. Watch for the new path being carved by the river on river left. It's more noticeable when that little stream rejoins the mainstream (just past the big hollowed out sycamore). There are two cottages along this section. Generally the folks at the Paw Paw River Campgrounds keep this section of the river cleared of major obstacles. Be prepared to navigate some deadfalls in the spring or early summer.
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Past the campground, the river turns around 180 degrees. There are typically a few downed trees for the next 15 minutes, but are easily avoided or bumped through. Then the river widens and there are many fewer obstacles to worry about.
The river has been restored to its natural course, the two old dams removed. The first removed dam is noticeable because of the very new erosion control banks and rocks, designed by the DNR. The water hasn't smoothed out the rocks yet, so it's quite noisy as it splashes along. If you follow the natural course to the right, you'll encounter quite a few downed trees including one very significant tree trunk (submerged but with two feet still above the waterline) that literally crosses the river bank to bank. This is why we take the left branch.
To the left, there is a short section of slow water with high banks, then the river gathers a little speed over the old weir and towards the second dam. The river takes a right turn, then over the old dam you go. Please scout this section of rapids before running the dam. Water levels, boulders, paddling partner and choice of watercraft will factor into your decision and route. We have run the dam three times in our canoe, generally about 1/3 of the distance from river right. There is a strong current and eddies though, so stay alert.
As mentioned above, the take out options at Hays Park are either at the official canoe launch (a floating dock in a swift, deep section of the river) located just upstream of M-140 highway. We typically paddle up the other branch of the river and pull out at another area where the DNR has planted a few saplings and many sharp rocks.
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