The St. Joseph River winds through Berrien Springs on its way north to Lake Michigan at St. Joseph, and the stretch through town is one of the more attractive in the lower part of its course. A short walking path along the bank offers river views, and the bridges in town give good vantage points.
Anglers fish the river for steelhead in spring and salmon in autumn — Berrien Springs sits below the dam that marks the upstream limit for migrating fish coming up from Lake Michigan. The dam itself has a fish ladder that is interesting to watch during the runs.