Burchfield Park

There are no paved ramp lanes or trailer spots here — this is strictly a carry-in situation. You've got two options: a dock ramp and a natural bank launch. If you're bringing a kayak or canoe, you're golden. If you're towing a bass boat, keep driving.

Burchfield is huge with a tangled web of trails, disc golf courses, and activity areas. Finding the actual river access your first time can be frustrating. Grab a map at the entrance gate because signage alone won't get you where you need to go, especially if you're heading to the natural launch spot.

The Grand River access here is solid for kayaks and canoes — they even rent them on-site. Current can pick up after rain so time your put-in accordingly. The river corridor through here is beautiful, especially in fall when the foliage along the Riverwalk section is legitimately stunning.

Summer hours run 8am to 30 minutes after sunset, but offseason hours shrink significantly — show up at dawn in October and you'll be staring at a locked gate. It's $3/day for Ingham County residents, $5 for everyone else, paid at the entrance. No sneaking in early for a sunrise paddle.

Aside from the ADA spots, the entire parking area is gravel. On a busy summer weekend this park draws mountain bikers, disc golfers, swimmers, and sledders in winter — the lot fills up fast. If you're paddling, get there early on weekends or you'll be parking way out and hauling your boat a good distance to the water.