McNamara Landing

There's no traditional boat ramp here — this is strictly a paddle launch. You've got a dock-style launch and a set of wide steps down to the river. They added an accessible launch that's genuinely well done, but there's a real elevation change from the parking lot to the water. Plan on hauling your kayak down a ramp or stairs either way.

Only a handful of trailer spots, and the dirt/gravel lot serves hikers, bikers, and dog walkers too — not just paddlers. On a nice summer Saturday morning, you might find it full by 9:30. The daily fee is $3 for Ingham County residents, $5 for everyone else, which catches people off guard since it looks like a basic trailhead.

The Grand here is shallow enough that you'll see and sometimes scrape the bottom the whole way downstream to Burchfield Park. That's actually a plus for families and beginners — the current does most of the work on the float to Burchfield, roughly 60-90 minutes of easy drifting. Not a place for anything with a motor or real draft.

The launch area is vulnerable to storm damage — high water events can temporarily knock out access at the dock ramp. If there's been heavy rain in the past few days, have a backup plan. The steps tend to survive better than the dock setup.

Bring serious bug protection, especially if you're stopping at Riverbend downstream. The wetland surroundings mean mosquitoes here go from bad to biblical between June and August. The bugs ease up once you're actually on the water and moving.