Grand Rapids Area Lakes & Rivers

Grand Rapids is a great place to experience the fun and adventure of a day in and around the water. You can enjoy the Pure Michigan Lake Effect at more than 50 lakes and four spectacular rivers just minutes from the city center. Plus, the glorious beaches of Lake Michigan are as close as 30 minutes away. Come see why National Geographic Adventure named Grand Rapids one of the country’s top waterfront towns!

Grand River

The river that runs through downtown Grand Rapids on its way to Lake Michigan is the longest river in the state – and it offers the greatest variety of recreation activities:

• Fish for salmon, steelhead, walleye and other species in the heart of downtown and elsewhere along the 260-mile waterway.
• See migrating fish leap up a series of graduated steps at downtown’s Fish Ladder Park in spring and late summer.
• Take a scenic cruise aboard the Grand Lady Riverboat, constructed in the style of paddlewheel steamboats from the 19th century.
• Launch your own boat at nine public access sites in Kent County – Ada, Grand River Riverfront, Grandville, Johnson Park, Knapp Street, Lowell, Riverside Park, Rogue River and Sixth Street Dam.
• Stay tuned for a downtown river restoration project that will enhance the river ecosystem and expand recreational amenities.
• Row the Grand north of downtown – a stretch regarded as a world-class rowing course – with the Grand Rapids Rowing Club, which offers free Learn to Row days, classes, and competitive recreational teams for adults and young people.
• Rent a kayak for $5/hour from GR Outside and take a guided trip or course this summer: Learn to Kayak is offered Thursdays from 6-8pm, and History of the Grand River, Trees Along the Grand River, and Birds or Plants Along the Grand River are offered select Saturdays and Sundays. Register here.
• Take a FREE kayak ride on June 28, July 26 and August 23, 2024, courtesy of GR Outside’s Family Paddle Nights at Riverside Park. Ages 10+. No registration required.
• Explore the Grand River Heritage Water Trail, a 41-mile water trails that encompasses nine distinct routes and 18 access points from Millennium Park (five minutes from downtown GR) to Lake Michigan.

Millennium Park

One of the largest urban greenspaces in the country is just five minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and it includes many water features:

• Swim in the clean, clear man-made lake and bask on the sandy six-acre beach, with close-by concession stand, locker and changing rooms, restrooms and picnic tables.
• Rent a kayak, paddleboat, canoe or stand-up paddleboard to explore two lakes and four miles of shoreline.
• Let kids play in the sprayers, buckets and splashers at the Mehney Splashpad, named America’s #7 Best Splashpad by USA Today.
• Hike 18 miles of paved trails that meander along the Grand River and amongst numerous lakes and ponds.

Swimming & Fishing Parks

• Three Kent County Parks offer FREE public swimming:Long Lake Park, Myers Lake Park and Wabasis Lake Park.
• 15+ county parks offer views and/or access to lakes, rivers, creeks and streams.
• 19 county sites offer fishing opportunities and there are plenty of places to launch a boat.

Rogue River

This 48-mile long tributary of the Grand River runs through the town of Rockford and is a popular destination for trout fishing and scenic cruises.

• Take a canoe, kayak or innertube float trip with equipment and service from AAA Canoe Rental.
• Fly fish the river with equipment and lessons from Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company.
• Stroll the 4.5-mile boardwalk along the Rogue and stop at the Rockford Dam Overlook, which provides a spectacular view of the river.

Reeds Lake

This picture-perfect 283-acre lake and waterfront park 10 minutes east of downtown Grand Rapids offers four-season fishing of bluegill, black crappie, bass, perch and pike. There are separate launches for motor boats and canoes/kayaks. The Grand Rapids Yacht Club is situated here and hosts a full schedule of races and sailing classes.

Riverside Park

The largest park located entirely within the city of Grand Rapids features nearly one mile of frontage along the south bank of the Grand River. Fishing is allowed along the riverbank and from a barrier-free fishing dock on a large pond. There is a boat launch as well as paved walking and biking trails, two nine-hole disc golf courses, playgrounds, soccer fields and ample picnic space.

Thornapple River

This 88-mile-long tributary of the Grand River is a popular fishing, boating and tubing destination. Fishing access is plentiful and watercraft rentals are available from several businesses along the river route. GR Paddling offers guided tours ranging in length from three to 10 miles. A 125-foot-long wooden pedestrian
bridge spans the Thornapple in Ada, 10 miles east of Grand Rapids.

Flat River

This Grand River tributary flows peacefully through the city of Lowell, where the Flat River Grill offers patio views of the water and the historic Lowell Showboat. The Flat has a reputation as an excellent smallmouth bass stream and different stretches are ideal for float-type fishing and wading. Much of the river is canoeable, especially in the spring and summer.

Bostwick Lake

Lined with cozy cottages and magnificent estates, this 221-acre all-sports lake offers a public boat launch via a small park that also includes a well-marked swimming area. The Bostwick Lake Inn offers lakeside patio seating as well as a small beach area where you can pull up a chair and dig your feet in the sand.

Gun Lake

About 40 minutes south of downtown Grand Rapids, Gun Lake is a 2,680-acre all-sports lake great for boating, water skiing, tubing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing and fishing (including ice fishing). A state park, county park and campground adjoining the lake offer beaches, swimming areas and public boat launches. Gun Lake is surrounded by Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, which offers miles of hiking, biking, horse and snowmobile trails, and it’s eight miles away from Gun Lake Casino.

Stoney Lake

This 27-acre lake in Lowell, 20 minutes from downtown GR, offers opportunities for swimming, fishing and non-gas-powered boating. Stoney Lake is part of Stoney Lakeside Park, which includes a beach, sand volleyball area, small boat launch, skateboard park and dog park. The park is bordered along the south side by the Grand River.

Versluis Lake

This 50-acre man-made lake in Versluis Park, less than 20 minutes northeast of downtown GR, features a sandy beach, swimming areas, non-powered boating opportunities and a barrier-free fishing pier. There are also playground areas, picnic facilities, horseshoe and volleyball courts and a one-mile paved walking trail. Versluis Lake is the site of the swimming leg of the annual Michigan Titanium triathlon race.