Programs

Note:

2026 – Inaugural Red Cedar River Regatta
Celebrate the opening of the Red Cedar River Water Trail by joining in a community paddle trip on the Red Cedar River. River enthusiasts who wish to join in the inaugural Red Cedar River Regatta can choose to paddle the entire water trail or one or more of the signature segments. The entire river will have paddlers on it!

Saturday, May 16, 2026 - 9:00am to 5:00pm

Age Requirements:
All ages are welcome. A parent or legal guardian must complete and execute the required waiver for participants under 18 as part of the registration process.

Equipment Requirements:
Participants must provide their own paddling equipment, including a personal flotation device (PFD). Paddlers are also responsible for arranging their own spot vehicles for transportation between route segments.

Route Details:
• Starting Location: McCormik Park in Williamston
• Ending Location: Rotary Park in Lansing

Route Segments: Note that trip times are estimates and subject to river conditions and paddler skill levels.

Upper Reach Explorer (Skill Level: Beginner)
Launch from McCormich Park and paddle upstream and back. This route is ideal for beginner paddlers with its generally calm waters and currents. No need to spot a vehicle, just paddle back to where you started.
Distance to Dietz Road Bridge: 5.2 miles, 10.4 miles round trip, 3 hours

Two Rivers (Skill Level: Beginner)
Experience bot the Red Cedar and the Grand Rivers by starting at Kruger’s Landing and traveling into Lansing’s urban areas. At the confluence, the waterway widens with takeouts either at Sweeney’s Landing or at Rotary Park in the downtown district.
Distance from Kruger’s Landing to Sweeney’s Landing: 2.9 miles, 1.25 hours
Distance from Sweeney’s Landing to Rotary Park: 0.8 miles, 0.75 hours

Town & Country (Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced)
If you wish to tackle the Williamston Rapids, begin this segment at McCormick Park in Williamston. Otherwise, Red Cedar Bend Landing provides entry downstream from the rapids. Travel through the forests, farmland, and a boulder field left behind by glacial activity. Finish this route at the Red Cedar Roadside Park or continue farther on to the Harris Nature Center.
Distance from Red Cedar Bend Landing to the Red Cedar Roadside Park: 8.3 miles, 2.5 hours.
Distance from Red Cedar Roadside Park to the Harris Nature Center: 2.4 miles, 1.25 hours.

Waterway of Chief Okemos: (Sill Level: Intermediate to Advanced)
The community of Okemos is named after the famed Ojibwe chief whose tribe paddled, hunted, and fished these waters. Begin this segment at the Harris Nature Center and paddle through Meridian Township’s scenic riverfront parks. Finish at Ferguson Park or Wonch Park. These companion parks are situated on opposite sides of Okemos Road.
Distance from Harris Nature Center to Ferguson Park: 6.4 miles, 2.75 hours.

Spartan Voyage: (Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced)
From Ferguson or Wonch parks, the next downstream landing is at Michigan State University. This segment meanders through the suburban community of Okemos to East Lansing before entering the beautiful MSU campus. Note that there is a marked portage around an on-campus weir. The MSU Canoe and Kayak Launch is located at the Jenison Field House Parking Lot.
Distance from Ferguson Park to MSU Canoe and Kayak Launch: 6.3 miles, 2.5 hours.

Campus to Krueger: (Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced)
Start this trip “On the banks of the Red Cedar” and travel from MSU to Kruger’s Landing. This segment follows the land-based Lansing River Trail before finishing at Kruger’s Landing.
Distance from MSU’s Canoe and Kayak Launch to Kruger’s Landing: 3.2 miles, 1.25 hours.

Event Partners
• Williamston
• Williamstown Township
• Michigan State University
• City of Lansing
• City of Lansing Parks & Recreation
• Meridian Township
• Meridian Township Parks & Recreation
• Lansing Oar & Paddle Club
• Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
• Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds (MGROW)
• Michigan Waterways Stewards

Event Sponsors
• Williamston Rotary Club
• Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club

Paddle Safe
You are responsible for your own safety. The Red Cedar River is a dynamic natural system that is ever-changing. Its water level and flow rate can fluctuate significantly based on weather events and the time of year. You may encounter logjams that need to be portaged and noxious plants on the shoreline. Know your abilities and gather as much information as you can about river conditions before leaving on a paddle trip. Always wear a personal flotation device, paddle with a partner, and use common sense.
It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with WHAT3WORDS at what3words.com and in the event of an emergency, call or text 911.