Nottawa Creek Kayaking Guide

St. Joseph County — Nottawa Lake to the St. Joseph River

The St. Joseph River at Three Rivers — Nottawa Creek joins the St. Joseph about three miles east of Mendon. Photo: Detroit Publishing Co., via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

Nottawa Creek runs about 33.9 miles from Nottawa Lake through the village of Athens toward the St. Joseph River, joining it roughly three miles east of Mendon. It's a classic southwest Michigan creek — moving water through farmland and woodlots, public access in some spots and private banks in others — and it earned a place in the region's first 46-mile phase of water trails alongside the St. Joseph and Portage rivers.

Two public access points anchor this guide. The Marl Lake Road Boat Launch (about 42.0640, -85.2797) gives paddlers a straightforward place to get on the water, and Rawson's King Mill Park in Leonidas offers a kayak launch, a historic gristmill, and its dam and millpond. The millpond reach is scenic and easy, but the dam itself demands serious respect — treat it as a hard no-go zone and plan any portage only with verified local information.

Between and around these points the creek behaves like a typical seasonal southern Michigan stream: pleasant moving water after rain, bony in midsummer, woody debris to dodge, and private shoreline that isn't yours to use. Because we couldn't verify mileage between the known accesses, this guide describes local reaches rather than a shuttle route.

At a Glance

• River length: About 33.9 miles, Nottawa Lake to the St. Joseph River
• Known accesses: Marl Lake Road Boat Launch; Rawson's King Mill Park in Leonidas (kayak launch, historic gristmill, dam and millpond)
• Water-trail context: Included in a 46-mile first phase with the St. Joseph and Portage rivers
• Character: Seasonal moving water through farmland and woodlots
• Key caution: King Mill dam — do not approach; verify any portage locally
• Confluence: Joins the St. Joseph River about three miles east of Mendon

Paddling Sections

Marl Lake Road Boat Launch Reach

Put in at the Marl Lake Road launch and paddle upstream or downstream as water allows, returning to the same ramp. This out-and-back approach keeps things simple on a creek where downstream mileage isn't documented. Spring and post-rain water are the friendliest.

Rawson's King Mill Park and the Millpond

The park's kayak launch and millpond make an easy, scenic outing — good for newer paddlers and families. Stay well clear of the dam, and don't attempt to run or portage it without verified local guidance; dam currents can be lethal even when they look calm.

Hazards & Portages

• King Mill dam — a serious hazard; keep your distance and verify any portage with locals.
• Woody debris — expect strainers after storms; this is an unmaintained creek.
• Seasonal shallows — midsummer can mean dragging through gravel riffles.
• Private banks — much of the shoreline is private; stick to public access points.

Access & Parking

• Marl Lake Road Boat Launch: approx. 42.0640, -85.2797.
• Rawson's King Mill Park: Leonidas — kayak launch plus historic gristmill, dam, and millpond; follow park rules and parking signage.
• Parking: use the designated lots at both sites; don't improvise parking along county roads.

Map

Map marker shows the primary reference point for this guide.