This section of the river maintains much of its forest integrity, even though it is mostly privately owned. This portion is deeper than upstream, though there are areas that are still wade-able along the edges.
This area features impressive forested slopes and overlooks, and large emergent wetland areas. It is a good birding area because of the more open areas.
Hiking trails loop through the dunes, around wetlands, to the north shore of the Oxbow Lagoon, along the Kalamazoo River channel, and the Lake Michigan shoreline, offering scenic views at every turn. At the beach, look for migratory shorebirds including gulls, plovers, sandpipers, and terns.
Whitey’s Woods is a forested portion of Lake Harbor Park that offers visitors natural beauty and opportunities for quiet recreation.