HomeMichiganKalamazoo › Kal-Haven Trail State Park

Kal-Haven Trail State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 347 Google reviews · Running trail in Kalamazoo, Michigan · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Kal-Haven Trail State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedShadedScenicFlat & fastTrailhead parking

Horse, biking & hiking trails run 33 miles through small towns & historic spots in this small park.

What runners say about Kal-Haven Trail State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (347 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The well-maintained crushed limestone surface was perfect for my e-bike tires, offering a smooth and comfortable journey.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“The most beautiful views and flowers and the ecosystem is so stinking healthy I hope they never change it and allow this place to thrive.”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“There were plenty of convenient spots to stop for a break, whether it was a shady bench or a welcoming picnic table.”

Very flat wide trail, no views beside dense trees on both sides, used to be railroad, many bicycles.

★★★★☆ — Tom , Jul 2025

What a great resource. This trail is 33 miles one way to Westhaven. I don’t recommend you use a road bike unless you have wide tires (32+). There are plenty of rest stops and the scenery is beautiful. Note that the ride from Westhaven back to Kalamazoo is uphill but a very slight grade.

★★★★★ — Richard , Jul 2022

Drove all the way from Texas to experience the Kal-Haven trail! It did not disappoint. It was our 1st long distance ride of 35 miles. As our 1st long distance ride we were grateful it was a mostly straight and flat ride. This is a doable trail for those just starting to do some distance. PS we used e-bikes.

★★★★★ — Monique , Sep 2024

From being here twice on 4th of July and the day after the kalamazoo end of the trail is very pretty all 6 miles in I went. Not to many bugs either. First day in the morning, second day at noon and about the same. The tree canopy is great at controlling the temperature.

★★★★★ — Myles , Jul 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 347 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“The most beautiful views and flowers and the ecosystem is so stinking healthy I hope they never change it and allow this place to thrive.”

More trails like this →

Flat & fast 6 mentions

“The gentle grades of the former railroad line made for effortless pedaling, even when I opted for a lower assist level to conserve battery and soak in the surroundings.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“Ample parking, tool station for bike repairs, bidirectional trail access (to South Haven via Kal-Haven trail and Kalamazoo via Kalamazoo River Valley Trail).”

More trails like this →

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“There were plenty of convenient spots to stop for a break, whether it was a shady bench or a welcoming picnic table.”

More trails like this →

🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 3 mentions

“The well-maintained crushed limestone surface was perfect for my e-bike tires, offering a smooth and comfortable journey.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Might be quite a bit muddy”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Kal-Haven Trail State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitemichigan.org
  • Phone(269) 637-2788

Hours

Monday 8 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–10 PM
Thursday 8 AM–10 PM
Friday 8 AM–10 PM
Saturday 8 AM–10 PM
Sunday 8 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Kal-Haven Trail State Park

4143 10th St N, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Get directions

Running trails near Kalamazoo

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Oshtemo Township Hall

4.7 ★★★★★ 604 reviews

Kalamazoo, MI

Paved

Park featuring an 18-hole disc golf course, plus tennis and basketball courts, baseball fields, trails and a playground.

2.6 miles away

Lillian Anderson Arboretum

4.8 ★★★★★ 202 reviews

Kalamazoo, MI

5 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Place featuring well-maintained hiking paths for strolling, jogging, dog-walking, and more.

2.7 miles away

Maple Hill Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 167 reviews

Kalamazoo, MI

MixedScenic

Family-friendly park that has hiking and biking trails, plus picnic benches.

4.1 miles away

Wolf Tree Nature Trails

4.6 ★★★★★ 184 reviews

Kalamazoo, MI

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a network of forested paths, along with meadows and hills.

4.1 miles away

Markin Glen County Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 855 reviews

Kalamazoo, MI

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Former private estate with hiking trails, ball fields, a swimming lake & a 38-site campground.

4.2 miles away

DeLano Farms

4.6 ★★★★★ 68 reviews

Kalamazoo, MI

Scenic

Nature preserve featuring trails, service learning, a market, and a festival.

4.3 miles away

All running trails in Kalamazoo, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.