Living in Michigan, we’re blessed with an incredible abundance of lakes, but you don’t need to own a boat to enjoy them. Stand-up paddleboarding offers an alternative to boating or kayaking, with the unique advantage of giving you the choice to stand or sit on the board as you explore. After a long day hunched over a desk, it’s energizing to stretch your body while soaking up water, nature and scenery. Plus, once you own the board, it’s pretty much a free hobby.
We joke that paddleboarding saved our marriage — and while we’re kidding, there’s more truth to it than you might expect. When friends first invited us to paddle on Lake Michigan, we discovered the perfect compromise between Ramona’s love of swimming and Karl’s appreciation for the physics of paddleboarding. Now our obsession with paddleboarding as partners has become well known to our friends and family, and we enjoy meeting folks while out on our boards.
In 2020, we hung a map of the Kalamazoo area on a wall to track all the places we wanted to paddle and were amazed by the variety of excellent paddling opportunities right in our backyard. When we’re thinking of our favorite spots, we consider our mood, the weather, the view, and the ease of paddling (sometimes too much boat action can create waves, making balance difficult). Some other considerations are whether you already have a board or need to rent, weather and wind, the amount of shade coverage, boat traffic, and whether you want solitude or are looking for a lively atmosphere and people-watching opportunities. In addition, keep in mind whether the location has entry fees, parking and access to bathrooms.
Here are five of our favorite spots for paddle-boarding:
Woods Lake
2900 Oakland Drive
Woods Lake holds a special place in our hearts — it’s where we did much of our early paddleboarding, including memorable adventures with our single paddleboard (one of us paddled while pulling the other around on an inner tube). We take friends who are new to the sport here, since the lake’s lack of motorized boats lets them focus on learning to stand, paddle and gracefully get back on their board after falling. The fishing dock on the lake’s south end offers easier water access, though you might need to share space with anglers. The park on the lake’s east side has restrooms and parking, and here’s a tip: Unload your boards at the bottom of the hill and then park uphill. When you’re done paddling, head across the street to Oakwood Plaza for snacks, food or ice cream.
Long Lake/Ramona Park
9488 Sprinkle Road, Portage
Our Kalamazoo paddleboarding journey began here, and it remains our top recommendation for newcomers to the sport. If you don’t have your own board, this is the perfect place to start with a rental — the beach crew will help you get the board in the water, and the sandy beach provides for an easy launch. The shallow sandbar on the north end of the lake has become a favorite destination. Pontoon boaters often gather there and are invariably amused by paddlers who glide over to say hello. Don’t be surprised to spot kayak anglers working the reedy northwest area, since the fishing there is apparently as good as the paddling. Since Ramona Park is a city park, there’s a small entry fee for non-Portage residents, but with that fee comes access to bathrooms, a concession stand, lifeguards and a beachy atmosphere.
Eagle Lake
1468 N. Eagle Lake Drive, Texas Township
This expansive lake between Kalamazoo and Mattawan delivers plenty of space to paddle significant distances and really stretch your limits while getting peeks at backyards with creative lake-life setups. Eagle Lake is popular with the powerboat crowd, so expect to encounter ski boats and jet skis during peak summer months. We’ve learned to appreciate the energy and activity, but the lake’s size also means you can always find quieter corners when you need them. There’s free parking and access to a boat launch area with a Porta Potty. And bring along your favorite tunes — paddling to some Yacht Rock or Yacht Soul is the perfect soundtrack to the lake’s lively atmosphere.
Sugarloaf Lake
10764 Shaver Road, Portage
While anglers frequent Sugarloaf Lake, it sees fewer recreational boaters, making it ideal for paddleboarders to build confidence — you can focus on learning to stand and maneuver without the distractions of busy water traffic. The real gem here is the small channel that leads to Little Sugarloaf Lake. Paddling this winding waterway is like entering a nature preserve, with birds nesting along the banks and a sense of peaceful isolation that’s hard to find so close to town. This is a great lake for throwing in an anchor, having a picnic on your paddleboards and chilling out. Note, however, that a Michigan recreation pass is required for entry to the boat launch/parking area, and there is no bathroom on the site.
Wolf Lake
M-43, Van Buren County, Mattawan
Wolf Lake typically sees only small fishing boats, making it an excellent choice for calm-water paddling. The minimal boat traffic means easier balance and a more peaceful experience, perfect for teaching someone new to paddleboarding or for days when you want to focus on technique without dealing with wakes from larger boats. While the serene environment and the secluded location create an intimate paddling experience, the lake has public access and free parking but does not offer bathroom facilities.
Honorable Mentions
Markin Glen Park
5300 N. Westnedge Ave.
This Kalamazoo County park near Parchment, with bathrooms, swimming beach, picnic shelter, fishing and trails, and no motorboats, offers a great way to make a day of it for paddling and fun.
Spring Valley Park
2600 Mt. Olivet Road
While most people know this Kalamazoo County park near Comstock for its popular disc golf course, the waterway here provides an excellent introduction to paddleboarding. The tree-lined banks offer plenty of shaded spots to rest. and there are no motorboats to compete with, making it perfect for a leisurely paddle with built-in lunch breaks. Parking, bathrooms, trails and picnic tables are available.
Austin Lake
Woodbine Avenue, Portage
The lake’s boat launch provides easy access, but it is very active in the summer months and parking fills up quickly. This lake’s size allows a lengthy paddle around its perimeter, while adventurous paddlers can follow the canal under the bridge in the southwest corner and paddle into West Lake.
Tips for Paddleboarding Adventures
Equipment: We chose inflatable paddleboards because we can pack them up and take them anywhere, from local lakes to journeys across the U.S. and international adventures in Canada, Japan, Spain and Albania. Just trust us on this: Don’t skimp on the electric pump. Your back and your schedule will thank you when setup takes minutes instead of a sweaty half-hour! Don’t forget the proper safety equipment of a personal flotation device, drinking water, a whistle and a few carabiner bungee cords to hook your boards together.
Timing: Keep wind speed, currents, boats and sun intensity in mind. We tend to paddle between 6 and 8 p.m., when boats start to head home and the sun is starting to fade.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your paddling horizons, the Kalamazoo area offers lakes for every skill level and age. If you see us out at the lake, please say hi — and if you don’t own a paddleboard, we love letting newbies try out our boards. Who knows? You might discover that paddleboarding is your new hobby too.
