Pathway Steering Committee
Williamston River Access
Red Cedar Bend Landing & McCormick Park Launch
Overview
Williamston offers the two farthest upstream public launch points on the Red Cedar in Ingham County. Between those two landings is the only stretch of white water rapids available to paddlers in mid-Michigan.
Williamston is the gateway to the Red Cedar River Water Trail and an ideal location to begin a river trip on the Red Cedar River. The quaint downtown of Williamston contains a grocery store, a hardware store, numerous excellent restaurants, and a variety of shops for river users to browse before or after a river trip.
Locations
McCormick Park Launch
Access to the river above the rapids in Williamston, this small boat launch features a canoe/kayak rack available for short term use and overnight rental. McCormick Park offers abundant parking, restrooms, and picnicking areas. The launch is situated at the road end of North Cedar Street, on river left.
For recreational paddlers, this launch offers an up and back paddle to the Dietz Road bridge.
Rapids that are not suitable for beginning paddlers are downstream from this launch.
Experienced paddlers, however, may enjoy the thrill of a rare whitewater experience in mid-Michigan.
21.2 miles
Distance to Grand River
6.2 miles
Distance to next waypoint
173.4 miles
Distance to Lake Michigan
42°41'18.2"N 84°17'22.3"W
McCormick Park to Dietz Road, round trip: 6 miles. Paddle time. 2.5 - 3 hours
Locations
McCormick Park Launch
Access to the river above the rapids in Williamston, this small boat launch features a canoe/kayak rack available for short term use and overnight rental.
21.2 miles
Distance to Grand River
6.2 miles
Distance to next waypoint
173.4 miles
Distance to Lake Michigan
42°41'18.2"N 84°17'22.3"W
Locations
McCormick Park Launch
Access to the river above the rapids in Williamston, this small boat launch features a canoe/kayak rack available for short term use and overnight rental. McCormick Park offers abundant parking, restrooms, and picnicking areas. The launch is situated at the road end of North Cedar Street, on river left.
For recreational paddlers, this launch offers an up and back paddle to the Dietz Road bridge.
Rapids that are not suitable for beginning paddlers are downstream from this launch.
Experienced paddlers, however, may enjoy the thrill of a rare whitewater experience in mid-Michigan.
21.8 miles
Distance to Grand River
0.6 miles
Distance to next waypoint
174 miles
Distance to Lake Michigan
42°41'27.6"N 84°16'48.6"W
McCormick Park to Dietz Road, round trip: 6 miles. Paddle time. 2.5 - 3 hours
Red Cedar Bend Landing
New landing and launch for personal craft in Williamston downstream from the rapids, Red Cedar Bending Landing offers river users beginning a river trip in Williamston a launch that is located below the rapids. The launch is accessed from Grand River Avenue, on the western edge of the downtown area of Williamston and abutting the bridge over Deer Creek. Due to the proximity of Williamston’s downtown, there is easy access to amenities, such as a grocery store, hardware store, and excellent restaurants.
Red Cedar Bend Landing to the
Red Cedar Roadside Park: Paddle time: 2-5 hours
21.2 miles
Distance to Grand River
6.2 miles
Distance to next waypoint
173.4 miles
Distance to Lake Michigan
42°41'18.2"N 84°17'22.3"W