Calhoun: River Trails, Nature and History

Discover Calhoun through its waterside trails, open natural areas and cultural offerings. Trail options range from a 1.6-mile riverwalk to long park and trail routes; museums, historic markers and regional events add to the choices. Battle Creek, Albion and Marshall are close to one another within Calhoun County, so you can include several communities in one trip. The three major cities are connected by the Kalamazoo River. When looking for a hotel, first decide whether walks, nature watching, or museums and history will be the focus of your stay.

River Trails and Routes of Varying Lengths

The Battle Creek Linear Park extends for more than 25 miles through wooded areas, open fields, parks and commercial areas. The Marshall Riverwalk offers a different trail setting: Its 1.6-mile route alternates between elevated boardwalks and paved paths. It also includes five pedestrian bridges, spots for launching boats and canoes, and scenic viewpoints. Its wooded sections follow Rice Creek and the Kalamazoo River and offer opportunities for wildlife watching.

The designated trail lengths also vary considerably. Brooks Nature Area has 2.3 miles of maintained trails. The Calhoun County Trailway runs for 5.6 miles through three different parks; the Linear Park Trail includes 26 miles of paved paths and connects with several other trails. This lets you compare options by their stated length and trail surface without assuming a particular walking time.

Prairies, Wetlands and Wildlife Watching

At Brooks Nature Area, the restored native prairie covers 88 acres. Another 97 unplanted acres consist of hedgerows, wetlands and wooded areas. The trailhead section borders restored native tallgrass prairie and offers views of Stuart Lake. Wildlife you may see there includes sandhill cranes, egrets, Canada geese and numerous duck species.

Nearby, between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Fort Custer Recreation Area offers more than 40 miles of trails, along with opportunities for paddling and fishing. Historic Bridge Park has picnic tables and grills among its visitor amenities. These options add further outdoor activities to the region’s trails and natural areas.

History and Regional Culture

The Marshall Historical Walking Route follows sidewalks and passes more than 15 sites with historic informational markers. It combines a walk with information about historic locations. The American Museum of Magic has celebrated magicians and their craft since 1978. From April through October, a magic show is scheduled there every Saturday at 2 p.m.; since the schedule may change, check the date before your visit. Group tours can be booked with advance reservations on any day of the week, including outside regular opening hours.

The Kingman Museum brings natural history, science and culture together in engaging, relevant experiences accessible to everyone. Regional events also bring different themes together: The Calhoun County Fair dates back to 1849 and is Michigan’s oldest continuously held county fair at the same location. Offerings include main-stage shows, rides, livestock exhibits, fair food and community-organized events. Check current fair dates and the program for your travel period.

Museums and Special Experiences

At the Kids 'N' Stuff Children's Museum, the Your Town exhibit invites children to role-play community jobs, such as being a shop owner or a public safety worker. The Wonder Wing area features a 16-foot-long water table modeled on the branches of the Kalamazoo River in downtown Albion. A bridge and waterfall are inspired by Albion’s Cass Street Bridge. The museum offers programs and events year-round.

The museum is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator on the entrance level; a small number of exhibit elements are not wheelchair accessible. Check accessibility details before your trip. In the Binder Park Zoo’s Wild Africa area, visitors can get up close to giraffes and have opportunities to feed animals by hand. Feeding arrangements may change, so it’s a good idea to check the zoo’s current information before your visit.

Markets, Festivals and Getting There

The Marshall Area Farmers' Market offers fresh produce, meat, poultry, baked goods, plants and flowers. Market hours should be checked before your trip, so take the schedule into account when planning. The National Cereal Fest in Battle Creek features a free breakfast, magic shows, music and bounce houses. The festival first entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1979; check current event dates and the program for your stay.

Calhoun County lies along Interstate 94, halfway between Chicago and Detroit. Amtrak stations are located in Battle Creek and Albion; check connections before traveling. BCGo offers transportation within the county, with pickups that must be arranged in advance. The Albion-Marshall Connector runs between Albion and Marshall five days a week. It’s a good idea to check the latest service details before planning your accommodations and routes.

More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Marshall, Battle Creek, Albion, Bay, Otsego, Houghton, Lapeer County, Ogemaw County.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.