The Kal-Haven Trail is a 33.5 mile long linear multi-use trail that links Kalamazoo a major southwest Michigan city to South Haven a Lake Michigan resort area. The trail starts in South Haven on North Bailey Avenue and ends in Kalamazoo on 10th Street.

The route of the Kal-Haven originally was a railroad competed in 1870, the railroad bed has been converted to a trail with a limestone/slag surface. It is usable for all non-motorized bicycles, hiking, and snowmobiling when there is a 4-inch snow base. In 2004 Van Buren County obtained a use permit to operate and maintain The Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park. Van Buren County continues to operate the trail under this permit.

Kal-Haven Trail Update

Van Buren County signs a 25 year lease to operate the trail

DNR to Lease 45.5 Miles of Trail to Van Buren County



The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will proceed with a lease agreement with Van Buren County that allows the county to lease 45.5 miles of the entire Van Buren Trail State Park and a portion of the Kal-Haven Sesquicentennial Trail State Park from the city of South Haven to US-131 within the City of Kalamazoo. DNR Director Rebecca Humphries approved the transaction at Thursdays Natural Resources Commission meeting in Alpena.



The arrangement is a 25-year renewable lease for 45.5 miles of rail-trail corridor for a trailway facility.



This lease will benefit the trail users because the trail will be developed, maintained and operated by the county, Humphries said. This trailway will provide a great opportunity for hikers, walkers and bikers to get outdoors in Southwest Michigan.



Under the agreement, the county may charge user fees for the trail, but the fee structure is subject to annual approval by the DNR. The rental value of the trail over the 25-year period is $4.4 million, but will be offset by the $4.5 million the county plans to invest in the development, operation and maintenance of the trail. These investments will be in lieu of rental payments. The DNRs current Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payment to the local taxing authority for the trail property will either be waived or the county will reimburse the DNR for the PILT expense, Humphries noted.



This compromise on development and operation of this trailway is a win for all stakeholders, Humphries said. We look forward to working with Van Buren County as a partner in this effort.

PLEASE NOTE: PASSES ARE AVAILABLE NOW BY MAIL OR AT THE ROAD COMMISSION OFFICE.

Individual Day - $3.00

Individual Annual - $15.00

Family Day - $7.00

Family Annual - $35.00

Special Event's Use of the trails.

We have also included on this page a Special Events Form. This for is for the use of groups who would like to use the trail for an event such as a marathon, triathlon or biking event. These events are usually held by non-profit organizations. Please complete the form below and submit it to our office for consideration.