Grand Rapids: Water, water everywhere

If water is your thing, then Grand Rapids is your place.

With more than 50 lakes and four rivers just minutes from the heart of the city, there’s no question why Grand Rapids was singled out as “Best River Town” by Outside Magazine in its list of “25 of America’s best towns ever.”

The magazine pointed to Grand Rapids’ burgeoning economy as the reason for the city’s inclusion in the overall list, which appears in the July 2017 issue of Outside.

But more and more folks are discovering that Grand Rapids is also a great destination for water enthusiasts.

“Grand Rapids is the perfect place for paddlers and anglers and boaters to visit, starting with the Grand River, which runs directly through town, as well as numerous nearby lakes and streams,” said Howard Meyerson, managing editor of Michigan BLUE, a statewide magazine emphasizing water and waterfront living.

In recent decades, local and state leaders have made a concerted effort to improve water quality on the Grand River and other bodies of water throughout West Michigan.

“The environmental significance of the Grand River system, particularly its headwaters and upper tributaries, is critically important for both Lake Michigan and the entire Great Lakes region,” said Carol Rose of the Michigan Wildlife Council.

The Michigan Wildlife Council was created three years ago to promote the importance of conservation and wildlife management to the state’s natural resources and outdoor traditions.

“The protection of our aquatic resources is essential not only to our everyday life but also to enhancing our water adventures and caring for the wildlife that rely on our waterways,” Rose said. “Across the state, dedicated scientists and volunteers perform wildlife management activities to help manage our aquatic resources — work that is funded primarily through hunting and fishing license sales.”

Want to get outside this summer to kayak, swim, fish, boat or stand-up paddleboard? You can pack in all that outdoor adventure — and more — right in the middle of this cool, urban setting.

Here are four uniquely Grand Rapids ways to enjoy lakes, rivers and beaches this summer:

1. Stand-up paddleboard yoga

Stand-up paddling (SUP) is the hottest way to stay cool these days, especially among teenagers, according to the Outdoor Foundation.

But Funky Buddha Yoga in Grand Rapids adds a special twist to it with stand-up paddleboard yoga at Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings from late June through Labor Day, you’ll find adventurous folks climbing aboard to learn a whole new way to do yoga.

“It’s perfect for summer nights when it’s hot out and you want to be on the water but you also want to work out,” said Kate Herron, director of marketing for Experience Grand Rapids.

Individual classes are $30 and reservations are required.

2. Downtown beach

Want to get away from it all right downtown? Then head over to Millennium Park, just five minutes from the heart of the city.

The 1,400-acre park is one of the largest urban greenspaces in the nation and includes fun, family-friendly water features, including a six-acre sandy swimming beach, splash pad, boat rental facilities, play areas and 18 miles of trails.

The park runs along six miles of Grand River frontage downtown and offers many opportunities to explore outdoor recreation.

Daily admission to enter the beach and splash pad is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for children ages 3—15, and children under age 2 are free. 

3. Water trail kayaking

Recreational kayaking is a very intimate way to see a river and the wildlife that call it home.

“All creatures need water to survive. So if there’s a river nearby, there’ll be wildlife: minks, otter, beaver, muskrats, ducks, deer, raccoons or a myriad of other animals,” said Carol Rose. “Kayaking is a great way to see wildlife from a completely different perspective.”

The Grand River Heritage Water Trail has become a popular paddling destination in West Michigan. Similar to bicycle or snowmobile trails, water trails include signage for access and portage points, as well as information on local heritage, businesses and attractions.

The 41-mile Grand River Heritage Water Trail includes nine routes in Ottawa County and is a great way to enjoy the water, paddlers say. The Grand River meanders along at about three miles per hour and paddlers can access the trail at 18 designated spots along the river.

Don’t own your own kayak or canoe? No problem: Many liveries have the watercraft available for rent throughout the Grand Rapids area, and they can recommend expert guides on rivers throughout the region.

4. World-class fishing

Nearly everywhere you turn in Grand Rapids you’ll find rivers, inland lakes and streams teeming with fish. And let’s not forget the waters of Lake Michigan just 40 minutes to the west.

But if you want an angling experience of a lifetime, try standing knee-deep with a fishing rod in the Grand River with the city all around you.

The main stream of the Grand River, which is Michigan’s longest river at 252 miles, passes through downtown Grand Rapids on its way to Lake Michigan. Fish such as salmon, steelhead and trout spawn in coldwater creeks upstream annually.

In 1962, concerns for the health of local streams in the Grand Rapids area and the wild trout that live in them prompted the founding of the Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited chapter. Today its members continuously work on river cleanup, stream monitoring, bank erosion and reconstruction, and fishing education.

All this effort means better water for everyone.

Wading in the Grand River can be a challenge even for experienced anglers, but the reward is significant.

“It’s pretty common to see people nearly every day standing in their waders downtown and fishing at the Sixth Street Dam,” Kate Herron said. “Even if you’re not fishing, it’s fun to watch.”