Muskegon River Kayaking Adventure: Croton Dam DNR Boat Launch to Ed H. Henning County Park
A 12.5-mile, easy, own-pace weekday paddle on the Muskegon River from Croton to Henning Park, with a lunch stop about halfway.
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
Trip Overview: Kayaking the Muskegon River from Croton
On Friday, July 17, 2026, the West Michigan Kayaking Club paddled approximately 12.5 miles of the Muskegon River, traveling downstream from the Croton Dam DNR Boat Launch to Ed H. Henning County Park.
The route starts at the Croton Dam tailwater launch below the dam and includes a lunch stop about halfway at the Thornapple/High Rollaway Boat Launch.
This was billed as an easy, own-pace weekday paddle — each paddler settled into a comfortable pace for the 12.5 miles rather than holding a set group speed.
1. The Put-In: Croton Dam DNR Boat Launch
Location: 5355 Croton Dr, Newaygo, Michigan 49337
Meet time: 9:30 AM
The group met at the put-in at 9:30 AM. The day's schedule ran a shuttle to the take-out at 9:45 AM, with the shuttle drivers back by 10:15 AM.
With vehicles staged at Ed H. Henning County Park, the group was on the water at 10:30 AM.
2. The River Journey: Croton Dam DNR Boat Launch to Ed H. Henning County Park
From the tailwater launch below Croton Dam, the route runs downstream 12.5 miles to Ed H. Henning County Park.
About halfway down the route, the group stopped for lunch at the Thornapple/High Rollaway Boat Launch before continuing on to the take-out.
As an easy, own-pace paddle, the day let each paddler cover the distance at a comfortable speed and still finish together at Henning Park.
3. USGS River Flow and Water Conditions
Primary gauge: Muskegon River near Croton, MI — USGS 04121970
Gauge data: USGS monitoring location 04121970
Recorded Readings for Fri, Jul 17, 2026
| Daily mean discharge (USGS, recorded) | 1,250 cfs |
|---|---|
| Gauge height (USGS, recorded) | Not reported in the recorded daily values used for this report |
| Median daily flow for this date (USGS statistics) | 1,280 cfs |
| Condition vs. normal | Normal |
The recorded daily mean of 1,250 cfs sat just below the 1,280 cfs median for July 17 — right at normal for this dam-controlled reach below Croton Dam.
4. Historical Weather Conditions in Newaygo, Michigan
Recorded observations below are from the Big Rapids, Michigan station (KRQB), retrieved from the Iowa State University IEM ASOS archive for Friday, July 17, 2026.
| Temperature at meet time (9:35 AM) | 64°F |
|---|---|
| Afternoon high (recorded 2:35 PM) | 86°F |
| Sky / cloud cover | Mist early, overcast through much of the day, with haze |
| Wind speed and direction | Light southerly winds — about 2 mph at meet time, 4 to 8 mph during the afternoon |
| Precipitation | None recorded through mid-afternoon; 0.08 in. recorded in the hour ending 3:55 PM, with light rain reported at that observation |
The day started cool and misty at the 9:30 AM meet and warmed steadily to 86°F by mid-afternoon, with light southerly winds through the paddling window.
5. The Take-Out: Ed H. Henning County Park
Location: Ed H. Henning County Park, Michigan
The 12.5-mile paddle finished at Ed H. Henning County Park, where the shuttle vehicles had been staged that morning. The event window for the day ran 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Technical Trip Information
| River | Muskegon River |
|---|---|
| Trip date | Friday, July 17, 2026 |
| Put-in | Croton Dam DNR Boat Launch, 5355 Croton Dr, Newaygo, Michigan 49337 |
| Take-out | Ed H. Henning County Park |
| Distance | 12.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy — own-pace weekday paddle |
| Target pace | Own pace (no set pace) |
| Schedule | Meet 9:30 AM; shuttle 9:45 AM; on the water 10:30 AM; event window 9:30 AM–4:00 PM |
| Water conditions | Normal — recorded daily mean 1,250 cfs vs. 1,280 cfs median (USGS 04121970) |
| Portages / dams | Launch is at the Croton Dam tailwater below the dam; no portages stated in the event record |
| Shuttle | Required — run to the take-out at 9:45 AM before launch |
| USGS gauge | 04121970 — Muskegon River near Croton, MI |
Safety and Equipment
Participants brought their own kayaks or canoes, paddles, properly fitted personal flotation devices, drinking water, food, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, insect protection and dry bags.
More Than the Miles
A Friday paddle at an easy, own pace is a different kind of club day — 12.5 miles of the Muskegon River below Croton Dam, a lunch stop halfway, and normal summer flow the whole way down to Henning Park.
Trip Recap
- 12.5 miles from the Croton Dam DNR Boat Launch to Ed H. Henning County Park
- Easy, own-pace weekday paddle
- Lunch stop about halfway at the Thornapple/High Rollaway Boat Launch
- Shuttle staged at the take-out before the 10:30 AM launch
- Normal flow on the Croton gauge — 1,250 cfs against a 1,280 cfs median
Thank you to every member who showed up ready to paddle.
More Than Just a Kayaking Club
West Michigan Kayaking Club brings together active paddlers who love exploring Michigan's rivers, lakes, trails and wilderness areas. Our adventures range from day paddles to extended river expeditions, hiking, camping, backpacking and multi-day outdoor experiences.
We believe in getting beyond the familiar launch sites, discovering new waterways and making the most of Michigan's incredible natural resources. We aren't here just to drift downstream. We're here to explore, challenge ourselves and discover what's around the next bend.
Come Paddle With Us
Looking for Michigan kayaking trips with people who actually paddle? Membership and all club events are free.
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
Sources
U.S. Geological Survey, Muskegon River near Croton, MI (USGS 04121970), streamflow records. National Weather Service observations recorded at Big Rapids, Michigan (KRQB), via the Iowa State University IEM ASOS archive, for July 2026.