Williamston to Harris Nature Center
Rural and wooded
Riffles and rapids at Williamston, then gentle current through woods and parkland.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Livingston County to the Grand River at Lansing
Red Cedar River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
The river that runs through Michigan State's campus, from the rapids at Williamston past Okemos and East Lansing to the Grand River in Lansing. In 2026 the Red Cedar opened as Michigan's newest state water trail, with launches spaced every few miles.
RegionMid-Michigan, Greater Lansing
CountiesLivingston, Ingham
WatershedAbout 461 sq mi
Great Lake BasinLake Michigan
River LengthAbout 51 miles
PaddleableWilliamston to the Grand River, about 23 miles
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthGrand River in Lansing
Before you launch: rapids, an old dam and high water
- Williamston rapids: there are rapids in Williamston. Launch above or below them depending on your skill.
- MSU dam and rapids: an old dam and rapids by the MSU Administration Building must be portaged.
- Submerged dams and wood: the trail map warns of submerged dams and fallen trees. Never paddle over them.
- After heavy rain: high water brings fast current and higher E. coli levels. Wait a day or two after big storms.
River History
The Red Cedar was likely named for the red cedar trees along its banks. Oddly, federal maps called it the Cedar River until 1966, when the U.S. Board on Geographic Names made Red Cedar official. Mills and small towns grew along it in the 1800s, including Williamston, Okemos and Fowlerville.
The river is woven into Michigan State University's history. The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden has sat beside it since 1873, MSU hockey was played on the frozen river in 1922, and the river is named in the school fight song. Water quality has improved a lot since the 1972 Clean Water Act. In May 2026 the Red Cedar River Regatta in Williamston celebrated the river's opening as a state-designated water trail.
River Map
River Overview
The Red Cedar River starts at Cedar Lake in Marion Township, southern Livingston County, and flows about 51 miles west through Fowlerville, Williamston, Okemos and East Lansing to the Grand River in Lansing. It drains about 461 square miles of farmland, small towns and the Lansing suburbs. Tributaries include Sycamore Creek, Sloan Creek, Deer Creek and Doan Creek.
Cedar Lake, Livingston County
The river's source. Small water.
Fowlerville
Small river through farm country.
Williamston and McCormick Park
Start of the water trail. Rapids in town.
MDOT Red Cedar Roadside Park
About 6 miles below Williamston.
Harris Nature Center
About 1.8 miles farther, in Meridian Riverfront Park.
Ferguson Park, Okemos
About 4.8 miles below Harris Nature Center.
MSU campus
About 4.8 miles below Ferguson Park. Portage around the old dam and rapids by the Administration Building.
Aurelius Road and Crego Park
Past US-127 and US-496 into Lansing, near Potter Park Zoo.
Grand River
About 1.9 miles below Crego Park.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
Two live USGS gages cover the water trail. The East Lansing gage is the best one for the lower river, and the Williamston gage covers the upper trail.
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.
The campus dam forms a standing wave in floods that local surfers ride. That's a sign the river is far too high for a casual paddle.
Paddling Character
Okemos to MSU
Suburban and green
Slow to moderate current past parks, homes and the MSU campus.
MSU to the Grand River
Urban paddle
Past the campus dam, under highways and through Lansing parks to the Grand.
Michigan Water Trails
The Red Cedar River is a designated Michigan state water trail, opened with the Red Cedar River Regatta in Williamston in May 2026. The trail runs about 23 miles from Williamston to the Grand River in Lansing, with launches at Williamston, the MDOT Roadside Park, Harris Nature Center, Ferguson Park, the MSU campus and Crego Park.
Meridian Township publishes a trail map and brochure with segment distances and paddling times.
Red Cedar Water Trail mapDams & Portages
Williamston
Williamston rapids
Rapids in town at the start of the trail. Launch above or below them depending on your skills.
East Lansing
MSU campus dam and rapids
An old dam and rapids near the MSU Administration Building. Portage around them.
Along the trail
Submerged dams
The trail map warns of submerged old dams. Never paddle over them, and scout where the map marks hazards.
Plan ahead
Portage tips
The MSU portage is well used. Scout it ahead of time if it's your first trip through campus.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Williamston
McCormick Park
Launch above or below the rapids, with parking at McCormick Park, 123 High Street.
MapWilliamston Township
MDOT Red Cedar Roadside Park
Launch and parking about 6 miles downstream.
MapOkemos
Harris Nature Center
Launch and parking at Meridian Riverfront Park.
MapOkemos
Ferguson Park
Launch and parking near downtown Okemos.
MapEast Lansing
MSU campus launch
Launch and parking on Red Cedar Road across from Spartan Stadium.
MapLansing
Crego Park
Launch and parking off Aurelius Road, near Potter Park Zoo and the Lansing River Trail.
MapCamping
North of Lansing
Sleepy Hollow State Park
State park campground on Lake Ovid, about 30 minutes north of East Lansing. A Recreation Passport is required.
Along the trail
No riverside camping
The parks on the Red Cedar are day-use only.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Herons, kingfishers, wood ducks, turtles and deer are common, even on campus. The Harris Nature Center and Red Cedar Glen Preserve protect wooded floodplain habitat.
Fishing
The Red Cedar holds smallmouth bass, pike, rock bass and panfish. Fishing was banned on campus in the 1960s and reopened on one section in 2013. Check MSU and state rules.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Portage around the MSU dam and rapids.
- Never paddle over submerged dams or under fallen trees.
- Avoid the river for a day or two after heavy rain.
Rules, passes and private land
- MSU has its own rules for parking and river use on campus.
- 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
- Trail map with segment distances
Best Time & Access
Spring
Higher, faster water. Wait for flows to settle after storms.
Summer
The best season. Easy current and plenty of launches.
Fall
Great color along the parks and campus.
Winter
Cold water and ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, East Lansing is about an hour east on I-96. Williamston is about 15 minutes farther east.
Trip Planning
Pick a segment
Segments run 2 to 6 miles between launches, so it's easy to plan a short trip.
Full trail
The whole 23 miles takes about 14 hours of paddling. Split it into two days.
Shuttles
Launches are close together and near roads, so car shuttles are short.
Check before you go
Look at the East Lansing and Williamston gages and any water quality notices after storms.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Red Cedar, so it's rated Class I: easy water. The Williamston rapids and the MSU dam are the exceptions to plan around.
Harris Nature Center to MSU
Easy current through parks. Good for beginners.
Williamston
Short rapids in town. Launch below them if you're new.
MSU to the Grand River
Easy urban paddle with the campus dam portage.
Quick Reference
| Source | Cedar Lake, Marion Township, Livingston County |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Grand River in Lansing |
| Length | About 51 miles |
| Watershed | About 461 sq mi |
| Dams and rapids | Williamston rapids, MSU dam and rapids |
| Main towns | Williamston, Okemos, East Lansing, Lansing |
| Key gage | USGS 04112500, East Lansing |
| Michigan Water Trail | Yes, opened May 2026, Williamston to the Grand |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I, with rapids at Williamston |