Upper river
Small trout stream
A small, cold stream through farmland. Mostly too small to paddle.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Allegan County to the Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
Rabbit River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A clear, sandy-bottomed river south of Holland that winds through quiet woods from Hamilton to the Kalamazoo River. The lower Rabbit is a designated state Natural River with very little development, and it's an easy hour's drive from Grand Rapids.
RegionWest Michigan
CountiesAllegan; small parts of Barry, Kent and Ottawa
WatershedAbout 292 sq mi
Great Lake BasinLake Michigan
River LengthAbout 62 miles
PaddleableHamilton to New Richmond, about 9 miles
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthKalamazoo River at New Richmond
Before you launch: the Hamilton dam and deadfall
- Hamilton dam: there's a small dam in Hamilton. Launch below it, or take out above it and carry around.
- Deadfall: fallen trees are the biggest hazard on the lower river. Watch the bends.
- Joining the Kalamazoo: the Kalamazoo at New Richmond is bigger and can be fast in high water.
- Cold water: spring water is cold enough to be dangerous. Dress for a swim.
River History
The Rabbit River country was settled in the mid-1800s by farmers, many of them Dutch immigrants who spread out from Holland into Overisel, Hamilton and Fillmore. Mills grew up along the river, including at Hamilton, where a small dam still stands. The headwaters were turned into a county drain in 1926, a decision that has made managing the river's trout harder ever since.
The lower river fared better. A 17-mile stretch from 36th Street downstream is designated a state Natural River, which protects it from heavy development. The DNR has stocked brown trout in the upper river since at least 1939 and steelhead in the lower river since the 1970s, and both now reproduce naturally in places.
River Map
River Overview
The Rabbit River starts in farmland in Leighton Township and flows about 62 miles west through Wayland, Hopkins, Dorr, Salem, Overisel, Heath and Hamilton to the Kalamazoo River at New Richmond in Manlius Township. Its watershed covers about 187,000 acres, mostly in Allegan County. Tributaries include the Little Rabbit River, Bear Creek, Black Creek and Silver Creek.
Leighton Township headwaters
Springs and farm drains. The upper river is a small trout stream.
Hopkins
Site of the live USGS gage. Still small water.
36th Street
Start of the 17-mile state Natural River.
Hamilton and the Hamilton dam
Small mill dam in town. The main paddling stretch starts below it.
Hamilton to New Richmond
About 9 miles of winding, undeveloped river with a sandy bottom and good current.
Kalamazoo River at New Richmond
The Rabbit joins the Kalamazoo near the New Richmond bridge.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The USGS gage near Hopkins is upstream of the paddling stretch but shows how the river is running. The Kalamazoo River gage at New Richmond shows conditions where the Rabbit ends.
How to read it
Compare today's flow with the typical flow for the date shown on the USGS graph. Well above normal means faster current, debris coming downstream and fewer safe eddies. Well below normal means more dragging and more liftovers.
After heavy rain, check again the morning you launch. Small rivers rise and fall quickly.
Paddling Character
Hamilton to New Richmond
Clear and winding
A 30 to 40 foot wide river with a mostly clear sandy bottom and good current. Very little development. Fallen trees are the main hazard.
Mouth
The Kalamazoo
Bigger, slower water at New Richmond, with stronger current in high water.
Michigan Water Trails
The Rabbit River is one of the water trails promoted by the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council. Its route runs about 9 miles from Hamilton to New Richmond, where the Rabbit joins the Kalamazoo.
From New Richmond, paddlers can continue down the Kalamazoo toward Saugatuck and Lake Michigan.
Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Rabbit RiverDams & Portages
Hamilton
Hamilton dam
A small dam in town. There's a paved ramp above the dam and sand beach access below it. Most trips launch below.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Camping
Allegan State Game Area
Ely Lake and Pine Point campgrounds
Rustic DNR campgrounds in the Allegan State Game Area, a short drive south of the river.
Saugatuck area
Private campgrounds
Campgrounds near Saugatuck and Douglas work as a base for the lower Rabbit and Kalamazoo.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Deer, wild turkey, herons, kingfishers, wood ducks and eagles are common along the lower river. The nearby Allegan State Game Area is a major stop for migrating waterfowl.
Fishing
The upper river is a brown trout stream. Steelhead run up the lower river, and pike and bass are found in the lower reaches.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Launch below the Hamilton dam, or take out above it and carry around.
- Watch for fallen trees on the bends. Never try to slip under a log.
- Be ready for stronger current when you reach the Kalamazoo.
Rules, passes and private land
- A Recreation Passport is required at some state launches and campgrounds.
- 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 small deadfall
Best Time & Access
Spring
Higher, faster water and steelhead in the river. Cold.
Summer
The best season. Clear water and good current.
Fall
Great color along the Natural River.
Winter
Cold and icy. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Hamilton is about 45 minutes southwest. Take US-131 south to M-222 or 135th Avenue west, or I-196 west and south through Holland.
Trip Planning
Classic day trip
Hamilton to New Richmond is about 9 miles, a relaxed half day.
Extend it
Continue down the Kalamazoo from New Richmond toward Saugatuck for a longer day.
Shuttles
Set up your own car shuttle between Hamilton and New Richmond. It's a short drive.
Check before you go
Look at the Hopkins and New Richmond gages and the weather.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Rabbit River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids. Good current and deadfall take some boat control.
Hamilton to New Richmond
Good current and deadfall. Fine for beginners with basic boat control.
Quick Reference
| Source | Leighton Township, Allegan County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Kalamazoo River at New Richmond |
| Length | About 62 miles |
| Watershed | About 187,000 acres (about 292 sq mi) |
| Dams | Small dam in Hamilton |
| Natural River | 17 miles from 36th Street downstream |
| Key gage | USGS 04108600, near Hopkins |
| Water trail | Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Hamilton to New Richmond |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I |