Headwaters Trails Inc.: Building Trails, Protecting Our Waterways, and Bringing Communities Together
By Brad D. De Young
West Michigan Kayaking Club Founder
There is something special about the organizations that work behind the scenes to make Michigan’s outdoors better for everyone. They aren’t necessarily looking for recognition, and much of their work happens through volunteer hours, community partnerships, fundraising, and countless hours of dedication.
Headwaters Trails Inc. is one of those organizations.
Based in the headwaters region of northwest Oakland County, Headwaters Trails Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to developing, maintaining, and promoting recreational opportunities along Michigan’s waterways and land trails.
Their mission is about much more than building trails. It is about connecting communities, improving public access to nature, encouraging outdoor recreation, and helping preserve the natural places that make Michigan such a special state.
A Commitment to Michigan’s Rivers
One of the organization’s most meaningful contributions has been its work on the Shiawassee River.
The Shiawassee River is an important natural resource, offering opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, wildlife observation, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. Headwaters Trails has played an important role in helping develop and promote the Shiawassee River Water Trail.
Their efforts have included organizing river cleanups, helping clear difficult sections of the river, installing mile markers and emergency takeout signage, developing launch facilities, and working with local communities to improve access.
Their work also helped move the Shiawassee River toward recognition as a National Water Trail.
That accomplishment represents years of dedication and cooperation. Opening a river to recreational use isn’t simply a matter of putting in a boat launch. It takes planning, volunteers, funding, partnerships, and people who care enough to keep showing up.
Headwaters Trails has demonstrated that commitment.
More Than Just Water Trails
What makes Headwaters Trails particularly impressive is that its vision extends beyond kayaking and canoeing.
The organization is working toward an interconnected network of recreational trails throughout the region, bringing together communities including Holly, Groveland, Rose, and Springfield townships.
Its projects include connections to parks, walking trails, and other recreational destinations.
These connections matter.
Trails give families opportunities to spend time outdoors, encourage healthier lifestyles, support local communities, and create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the natural environment.
When communities invest in trails and public access, they are investing in something that benefits generations.
Why the West Michigan Kayaking Club Supports Their Mission
At the West Michigan Kayaking Club, we believe Michigan’s rivers and outdoor spaces are some of our greatest natural assets.
Our club was built around a shared appreciation for adventure, exploration, and experiencing Michigan’s waterways. We spend countless hours paddling rivers throughout the state, and we understand firsthand how important public access, river stewardship, and recreational infrastructure are to the paddling community.
We also recognize that none of this happens on its own.
It takes organizations like Headwaters Trails Inc. to bring people together, work with local governments, secure funding, organize volunteers, and turn ideas into projects that benefit the public.
We strongly support the mission of organizations working to improve access to Michigan’s waterways while encouraging responsible outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.
We believe these efforts deserve recognition, encouragement, and support.
And while our club is based in West Michigan, our appreciation for Michigan’s rivers and the people working to protect and improve them extends throughout the entire state.
We are all part of the same outdoor community.
A Well-Deserved Thank You
To everyone involved with Headwaters Trails Inc., including its leadership, volunteers, supporters, and community partners, we want to say thank you.
Thank you for the time you invest, the projects you take on, the waterways you help maintain, and the recreational opportunities you work so hard to create.
Thank you for recognizing that Michigan’s natural resources are worth investing in and that future generations deserve opportunities to enjoy them.
The work of a nonprofit organization isn’t always easy. Projects take time, funding is never guaranteed, and volunteer hours are valuable. But the results can last for decades.
The next time someone launches a kayak on the Shiawassee River, walks a newly developed trail, or discovers a beautiful stretch of Michigan outdoors, there is a good chance that the efforts of organizations like Headwaters Trails helped make that experience possible.
From all of us at the West Michigan Kayaking Club, thank you for everything you do.
Keep building trails, improving access, bringing communities together, and protecting the places that make Michigan special.
We appreciate your work, we support your mission, and we encourage others throughout Michigan’s outdoor community to learn more about what you do.
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
Learn More and Support Their Mission
Website: https://headwaterstrailsinc.org
West Michigan Kayaking Club:
https://www.westmichigankayakingclub.com
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