Explore the Great Outdoors in Saugatuck this Spring

Spring is just around the corner in Saugatuck and that means that visitors and residents alike are starting to head outdoors. With miles of hiking trails and some of the best beaches in the country, we take full advantage of the warmer seasons, from start to finish. So lace up your boots and grab your water bottle; these parks and natural areas are just the things you need to celebrate spring the Saugatuck way.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park is more than the mountains (literally!) of sandy dunes that give it its name. For $11, receive a day pass at the gate and enter one of the area’s most serene locations. Within, you’ll find a network of wide, sandy trails that wind through Michigan maple woodlands. Find yourself surrounded by fresh-scented pines and birdsong as you walk through shady pathways before finally reaching the lake on the North Trail. At this time of year, bask in the secluded expanse of the shore. For a truly breathtaking and romantic evening, wait until just before dusk and hang a hammock at the top of the 200-foot dunes for a jaw-dropping view of the sunset. You can find the trailhead to Saugatuck Dunes State Park at 138^th Avenue in Saugatuck; your hike will range from around 2-5 miles across easy to moderate terrain.

Another area worth exploring this spring is Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. The sandy trail winds through 173 acres of protected land featuring unspoiled natural dunes, wetlands, the Kalamazoo River, and a long, tranquil stretch of our beloved Lake Michigan. Keep an eye out for migrating birds and deer tracks or keep your eyes on the horizon as the sun sets behind the waves. You’ll find the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area at the north end of Oval Beach’s parking lot. The total trail length is 2.5 miles. You can pay for a $ 10-day pass at the gate or leave your car behind and take a $1 chain ferry to the beach for an added adventure.

For a complete list of hiking trails and outdoor adventures this spring in Saugatuck, visit Saugatuck.org and plan your stay today!

Saugatuck Dunes State Park
6575 138^th Ave,
Holland, MI 49423
(269) 637-2788

Oval Beach
Perryman St.
Saugatuck, MI 49453
(269) 857-2603