Riverbend Park to J.P. Palmer
Fast and woody
Fast current and deadfall. Strong, advanced paddlers only.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Coldwater Lake to the St. Joseph River at Union City
Coldwater River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A Branch County river that drains the Coldwater lake country and ends at Union City, where it starts the Greater Union City Water Trail and Heritage Trail. Not to be confused with the Coldwater River near Grand Rapids, which has its own guide.
RegionSouth-Central Michigan
CountiesBranch; tributaries in Hillsdale
WatershedSt. Joseph River
Great Lake BasinLake Michigan
River LengthAbout 29.5 miles
PaddleableRiverbend Park to Union City and the St. Joe
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthSt. Joseph River in Union City
Before you launch: fast water and deadfall upstream
- Upper Coldwater is for strong paddlers: from Riverbend Park to Union City, the river has fast current and deadfall.
- Riley Dam: the trail ends at Riley Dam on the St. Joseph River. Portage on the right side.
- Union Lake wind: the lake below Union City is long and open. Wind can make it rough.
- No livery: no livery serves this trail, so plan your own shuttle.
River History
The Coldwater River runs through the lake country around Coldwater, settled along the old Chicago Road in the 1830s. Mills grew up on the river and its lakes, including at Hodunk, where Hog Creek joins.
Union City, at the river's mouth, has made its riverfront a heritage trail. The Greater Union City Water Trail and Heritage Trail marks 28 historic sites, including an island left by the 1908 flood. Riley Dam, which blocked the St. Joe for nearly 100 years, got an ADA-accessible portage in 2016 and still supplies some of the village's electricity.
River Map
River Overview
The Coldwater River rises as the outflow of Coldwater Lake in Ovid Township, Branch County. It flows past Coldwater through a string of lakes, including Randall, Morrison and Craig lakes and Hodunk Pond, then north to the St. Joseph River in Union City. It's about 29.5 miles long.
Coldwater Lake
Source of the river, in the Coldwater lake country.
Lakes west of Coldwater
The river runs through a chain of small lakes and Hodunk Pond.
Riverbend Park
Branch County park on Girard Road, south of Union City. Start of the upper trail.
J.P. Palmer Launch, Union City
Start of the 5-mile Heritage Water Trail.
St. Joseph River
After about 700 yards of quick current, the Coldwater joins the St. Joe.
Union Lake and Riley Dam
Long, open lake to Riley Dam. Portage on the right.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Coldwater River. The St. Joseph River at Burlington, just upstream of Union City on the St. Joe, is the closest live gage and a good guide to local conditions.
How to read it
If the St. Joseph at Burlington is high, the Coldwater is likely high and fast too, with more debris on the upper stretch.
Look at the river at Riverbend Park before running the upper section.
Paddling Character
Heritage Water Trail
Easy and historic
Quick water for 700 yards, then the slower, deeper St. Joe through Union City past 28 historic markers.
Union Lake
Long, open lake
Exposed to wind. Plan for the conditions.
Michigan Water Trails
The lower Coldwater River is part of the Greater Union City Water Trail and Heritage Trail, a listed Michigan Water Trail with about 13 miles of paddling on the Coldwater River, the St. Joseph River and Union Lake.
Its 5-mile Heritage Water Trail runs from the J.P. Palmer Launch to Riley Dam, past 28 historic markers.
Greater Union City Water TrailDams & Portages
Union City
Riley Dam, on the St. Joseph River
Blocked the river for nearly 100 years. ADA-accessible portage on the right side since 2016.
Upper river
Lake outlets
The river passes through several lakes and ponds with outlet structures. Scout before running them.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Upper river
Riverbend Park
Branch County park at 315 W. Girard Rd. The river wraps around the park.
MapUnion City
J.P. Palmer Canoe Kayak Launch
Village launch at 206 Coldwater St. Carry-in access, parking and picnic area.
MapUnion City
Riverview Park
Heritage marker 16, with picnic facilities and a portable toilet in season.
MapUnion Lake
DNR launch at Tuttle Road
State launch on Union Lake in Sherwood.
MapCamping
Branch County
County and private campgrounds
Branch County's lake country has several campgrounds near Coldwater and Union City.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Egrets, sandhill cranes, swans, eagles and ospreys use the river and Union Lake. Deer, beaver, muskrats and turtles are common.
Fishing
Union Lake has bass, bluegill and catfish, plus pike and walleye. The St. Joe has bass and other species.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Only strong, advanced paddlers should run the upper Coldwater.
- Portage Riley Dam on the right side.
- Watch the wind on Union Lake.
Rules, passes and private land
- No livery serves the trail. Plan your own shuttle.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Folding saw for deadfall on the upper river
Best Time & Access
Spring
Fast, high water on the upper Coldwater. Cold.
Summer
The best time for the Heritage Trail.
Fall
Good color and migrating birds on Union Lake.
Winter
Cold. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Union City is about an hour and 30 minutes south. Take US-131 south to Kalamazoo, I-94 east to Marshall, then I-69 south and M-60 west.
Trip Planning
Heritage Trail
Paddle the 5-mile Heritage Water Trail from J.P. Palmer to Riley Dam.
Advanced run
Strong paddlers can start at Riverbend Park for faster water.
Continue on the St. Joe
Below Riley Dam, the wooded St. Joe to the Athens Road or Arney Road bridges is a local favorite.
Check before you go
Look at the Burlington gage and the wind.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The Coldwater is rated Class I, but the upper section's fast current and deadfall make it a trip for advanced paddlers.
Riverbend Park to Union City
Strong, advanced paddlers only.
Heritage Water Trail
Easy, open water through Union City.
Quick Reference
| Source | Coldwater Lake, Ovid Township |
|---|---|
| Mouth | St. Joseph River in Union City |
| Length | About 29.5 miles |
| Water trail | Greater Union City Water Trail and Heritage Trail |
| Heritage trail | 5 miles, 28 markers |
| Dam | Riley Dam on the St. Joe, portage right |
| Gage | None live. Use the St. Joseph River at Burlington (04096405) |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I; upper section advanced |