Live Your Best Lives
Saugatuck Dunes State Park Reviews
4.5
2 of 63 Best Attractions in Holland
Reviews
We enjoyed a quite and stunningly beautiful walk in this wooded setting where trails lead to the beach. We followed the trails to a spot high on the dues where we sighted a Bald Eagle flying by.
Beautiful place, maybe in my top 3 places I've ever been. Quiet and you get the place to yourself even in high season. It's quite a hike to the beach, and back, but worth it.
My Chicago friends Harold and Alan and I have come to Saugatuck since 2001. Every year when I visit them in Chicago in the Fall we spend the weekend the Douglass Halloween parade takes place. This year it's Saturday October 25th. Saugatuck is a very nice little township that boasts many eateries/restaurants and galleries. The most famous breakfast restaurant is" Ida red's". The best breakast in town for sure! Make sure you get there earlly because the wait can be long . No need to wait if you choose the bar though. Prices are very fair and the muffins are awesome! I love that place and Saugatuck because it gets really lively in the Summer as well. Old victorain charm in the Midwest! Be aware that accommodation in the area can be pricey and advance booking is highly recommanded. There are a few bed and breakfasts but you can always find a room to crash in Douglass nearby. The Best Western, the Dunes Gay resort are good options.
My son who lives in Holland took us to the beach. There was a moderate hike through a beautiful forested area to get there. The beach was pretty narrow but that didn't discourage the kids at all
Brother and me hunting for Morel mushrooms. Convenient parking and so close to Saugatuck/Douglas. Well Travelled paths and great scenery.
Went cross-country skiing and the hills were just right, with plenty of trails available. Very few people out there, but a great place to go, easy parking and well-marked.
Awesome and challenging hike to,Lake Michigan. It easy challenging but well worth it. Make sure to take water and a snack along. We took our time and it took us 2.5 hours to do the South trail
Besides being fun and thrilling, we learned a great deal. Very knowledgeable driver with a delightful sense of humor. Sat in second row so we didn't get bounced around like I anticipated. Nice long ride with frequent stops for pictures, exploring, and listening to explanations. Well worth the money.
We had a very nice walk on the trail to the beach and really enjoyed the views. I wish I would have worn shoes that provided a little more support than flip flops and brought a water bottle, but we weren't sure what to expect.
I love love love this park for an outdoor hike. I take my dog there year round. This is not the place to go if you want an easy trip to the beach. There are no bathrooms and no food areas, and you have to walk a bit to get to the beach from any area. But if you are out for a beautiful, quiet walk in the woods, you can't beat it. You'll get a work out, and you'll hardly see another soul. Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash.
Winter or summer this 1200 acre state park has it all. 2 1/2 miles of beach access with many access points. Dogs must be on a 6' leash. Not an easy stroll to the beach, but rather a decent hike to get to the waterfront. Some expert Cross country ski trails in the winter. Big hills both up and down.
The dune rides are not to be missed. It is like riding a ground-based rollercoaster! My 8 yr old daughter loved it and the accompanying narratives from the driver are informative as well as entertaining.
Omg!! The dune rides were so enjoyed by my son and our cousins.The driver was extremely fun and charming....I would definitely recommend the dune rides to all who visit Holland
White sand and dunes. A pretty park with shower house and lifeguards. Just a wonderful place to relax and spend an afternoon. Great beach to watch a sunset. Small fee for parking.
We were there in the fall. You have to purchase a permit to go into the state park. Since we live outside of Michigan, we paid $9 for a one day pass. We hiked some trails, visited Oxbow and climbed the stairs to Mt baldy.
if they had called this 'beach park' and then we found a dune we woulda thought it was cool. but dunes park raised the bar expectation wise. The forest is real pretty and you do end up at a lake, just don't expect a grand dune adventure.
great trails, takes you out to the beach, so worth it if you want a hike. Its beautiful! In the winter you can cross country ski. : )
My family and I absolutely love this park. We always hike the trails when we’re in town whether it’s summer spring winter or fall they are so beautiful and our dogs love it and then the bonus is you end up on the sand at the beach!
In order to get to the beach which is beyond beautiful sand dunes, you have to take a trail. They provide maps to show you the different trails. The problem is that the tails themselves are poorly marked. It is such a shame because the trails go through beautiful terrain. A few more posts with better markings would make this much more enjoyable.
There isn't much beach because of erosion and there is a lot of natural debri mixed in with the sand.
You park in a lot. It's a somewhat confusing walk of under a mile to the beach. The beach is really nice and not very crowded. The water is quite cold. But it's really beautiful. My 4 kids really loved it. There are great dunes right off the beach.
The beach is about a mile+ from the parking lot and is hilly. If you enjoy a good hike through the woods it is just fine. The lake level is up this year so the beach is smaller than in past years. We went on a Saturday and the parking lot was over flowing. Once you reach the beach, the long hike and parking lot hassles will be forgotten.
This park is excellent for both hiking and the beach. It is on a smaller side, one of the smallest state parks in the area. It was not super packed even during 4th of July weekend. We took the longest trail (Southern?), completed it in about 2 hours, and then returned back to the beach. There were fewer people on the beach in this park than in other state parks on lake Michigan shore, maybe because this park lack "real" facilities. There are a few vaulted toilets, this is it.
Trails are marked, scenery is great, dunes are fun. Will be back.
Much less crowded than Oval Beach and more diversity on the shoreline. Limited parking keeps the crowds small. A five mile hiking path keeps the interest but don't forget to bring the insect repellent. Dogs are not supposed to be on the beach but this rule was not enforced very well.
To get to the shore, you walk on a path through the woods for a ways and then arrive at the beach! It actually reminded me a lot of the beach in Olympic National Park in Washington. We didn't spend the day there or go in the water, but it looked inviting (although chilly). I would have liked to have more time to explore the area.
We went there Monday daytime and had a great time. Very few people there and enjoyed the fall colours. Dogs ran and had fun, we climbed up and down the dunes so got a great leg work out!!
Trails well marked so nice to wander around.
Beautiful Dunes, Great Lake Michigan Beaches. Clean restrooms and a well kept area. Great wildlife and overall since of peace when walking and enjoy a true natures beauty. A park for all 4 Seasons.
I was surprised of the lack of care given to this wonderful park. The signage is lacking. The post were poorly marked and the trails are evident but the care to post signs you can read are old and faded out. This would not be a place for handicapped access. It is very rustic, which is nice if you are prepared for hiking. We wondered paths and guessed what the post meant. The wow affect when you finally get to the dunes is great and natural sand dunes. I would not recommend this for health issued people or handicapped people because of the lack of accessibility and difficulty of climbing the dunes. Again the poor upkeep of the picnic area makes less than desirable to stay.
We went for the hike and to see the beach. We weren't planning on staying so we didn't bring anything with us, including water. We had a map but the trails were confusing and some post were missing signs. We got a little turned around coming back and we couldn't find the parking lot where we parked our car. Luckily we found someone to give us directions back. I sure could of used some water because that hike lasted longer than i wanted it to! Some parts of the trails were challenging although I can't say we were always on the right trail. I wouldn't say it was for every fitness level either. You've been warned! It was beautiful though and worth it. Great views of the lake and beach. The trails were beautiful too and I felt like we walked on all of them. : )
The trails are not clearly marked. Nice quiet environment but hard to determine exactly were you are going on the trail or how to get to the beach. Trails are an easy walk.
So I "liked" the Facebook page which gave me some inside information. We some beautiful walking along the blue to red to white paths down to the lake shore. Went through some amazing forest with different sorts of trees. You could choose more open dunes routes, but it was hot when we were there. We pretty much winged it and were fine. Loved the wide sandy trails. So if I were to do it again, I recommend printing a map of trails, camera, bring water (I had my hydration belt) and a snack. People along the path are really nice - but if you see them at the beginning and ask - they may send you down a path\ that is out of THEIR way - just sayin be careful The trails are just stunning. We got a workout.
Beautiful beach with lots of great stones and awesome views! Great place to see a sunset! Lots of dunes and very clean beach! Quiet and peaceful.
We went on a Saturday in early August on a day when the weather was sunny and in the low 70's. The parking lost was pretty full, but we were able to find a spot for the car without a problem. There are several different trails that take you from the parking lot to the beach. We took the central trail out to the beach and the north inner loop trail back from the beach. Both were about a 20 minute walk through easy to moderate terrain. The highlight was the walk along the sandy beach between the two trails. While the parking lost was pretty full, I never felt like the park seemed all too crowded anywhere along our hike. Overall, I thought it was a great place to spend a couple hours.
Beautiful woods, beautiful Lake Michigan and if you walk down the beach a little, you have Lake Michigan all to yourselves!
Amazing! Exciting vigorous hike! Our trail led us straight to amazing Lake Michigan! Not for the unfit as she of the trails quite challenging!
What an exceptional place to take a walk! The fall colors were brilliant and the weather exceptional. It was a breezy day making the beauty of the woods, with the wind blowing through them, a picture perfect event.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park features pristine dune forest in a quiet setting. Only one drawback: it is not handicap accessible. Be prepared for a hike to the beach area.
Worth the small hike to the shoreline!! Will go back again and explore more!!! Saw lots of black squirrels in forest and chipmunks.
Second time we visited the dunes for a hike and it was as beautiful as the first time we went. The hike is nice and not strenuous. The views are gorgeous. The beach and lake remind me of the Atlantic.
This was my first visit to this park. They charged us $9 to get in. That gave us parking, a couple of short walking trails and a lakefront with no beach. There was a small area for picnics and a bathroom. The trails were missing most of the trail marker signs to tell you which one you were on. The beach is about 3 feet wide to the water, so not really a beach.
so fun and the views breath takng I'll be back on my wedding day to take picture what a fun trip I highly recommend it it great place
When planning my trip to southwestern Michigan I made it a point to be able to spend at least one day at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. I made a mistake. I should have planned for two or three days. The park is simply uncompromisingly beautiful with one awe inspiring scene after another of beach, water and sun as the day progresses. The walk in provided a transition from our hectic day to be ready to get lost in the rhythms of the waves and wind. It was a very sunny day and pitching our camp up under the trees off the shoreline was perfect. Even though the beach was crowded we were able to find a private spot. We could go down into the beach for an amazingly warm swim or lay back and sleep, read and simply gaze in the shade and quiet. We had just purchased new beach chairs and cooler that were ultra light and easy to carry. The long hike in makes packing a priority. Leave no trace when your day is done. Take out all you brought in. There are no garbage/recycle containers. Families with little ones were carrying the children out in stages after the day in the sun. But it is all worth the effort. You do not want to miss a day or two at Saugatuck.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is ideal for a weekend hiking. It is family friendly, dog friendly (must be on a leash), and has designated eating areas for picnics. We hiked both the South and North trail. the pathways were well maintained and the sand dunes were challenging but worth the views. I would highly recommend this park and would love to visit during other seasons as well.
This park is so nice! The parking area is just a sandy lot and it does fill up rather quickly, even in the winter. The park has a few different trails, most are short and lead to the beach. The trail map is a bit confusing and there are many more forks in the park than are present on the map. Definitely take a pic of the map before you begin your adventure! Great for dogs and the trails are nice and wide.
When we arrived at the gatehouse no one was on duty so it required self registation. No info or trail maps were provided. Trails are poorly marked. All this took away from what should have been a fun experience. Overpriced at $9.
This was an incredible hike through West Michigan forest, dunes, and shoreline. We did the South loop, and our hike ended up being about 6.5 miles - although we did tack on some extra mileage at the beach. There were lots of other (shorter) trails and loops if you're not looking for that long of a hike. Overall, it was just so beautiful - we went at the perfect time to see all the fall colors. It rained lightly throughout the hike, but that just made it more magical with the sound of raindrops on the tree canopy overhead.
Beautiful views of Lake Michigan. It was pretty empty when we were there. Maybe due to the rain. Great beach.
Great place to spend time on Lake Michigan and go hiking. They just renovated the pit toilets, but need to add some light, way too dark!! Great spot for the daytime. No camping.
Had a good time here with the family, there’s a nice beach at the end of a good work out walk to the end also have plenty of disc gold course areas in this park. Also a special surprise we found a bunch of cactuses growing all over the place.
Saugatuck and Douglas are both charming, clean, walkable towns. Many great restaurants, galleries, and shops. No fast food, no chains! Loved Oval Beach! Had a nice stay and visited Fennville where all the wineries are. Loved it and plan to go back.
Parking is on a honor system, but there were no envelopes to put the fee in. Nice hike over forest covered dunes, to the shores of Lake Michigan.
I live here in Grand Rapids .. explored lots of places searching for best spots for fall colours! finally I came across this.. This was just marvelous.. 1.5 mile walk in woods towards beach was real fun! not too much red but it was colourfull. there are some really good spots for photographs! In the beach was calm & clean.. ofcourse it was bit cold.. we couldn't stay long .. in the end we had some memorable thoughts!! check out our photos too!
We were staying in Grand Rapids and wanted to see the Great Lakes, so we came here. It is a good walk (about half an hour) through nice woods to get to the lake. The dunes are unique and slope down into the lake. The water looked dirty with lots of duckweed, and there was not much to do at the lake, though.
Easy to access and great trails for hiking. Having Lake Michigan ahead of you isn't too shabby either. The trees turning in the fall where a nice plus also.
Michigan natives can buy a state park pass for about $10 a year and allows entry to all state parks as often as desired. This would be great for this park as parking is limited. Walk to the beach is uphill and long, but worth it.
We went to this park to see the dunes and hike but once we got to the beach, we never left. 3/4 mile hike from the parking lot to the beach and worth every step. It’s a small beach but only a dozen families besides us there. Water is clear and the beach was super clean. There is a pit toilet but it wasn’t very clean, just assume that you don’t have amenities if you’re coming here. Easily the best beach we have been to in Michigan, possibly the best in Lake Michigan.
I happen to live across the street from the park and bought a home there a year ago. I have been too busy to go the beach but recently thought it would be good to try it.I took the North Beach path which I THOUGHT would take me to a more private place as it is a very long hike from the public parking and the main access beach. One note even the regular beach off the parking lot is s LONG walk including down a steep grade and of course back up the grade. After a long hot hike on sand trails I reached the North Beach only to find a BUNCH of cabin cruisers each filled with partying young people anchored 50 feet off the beach. I certainly was pissed off and did not even go down the last dune to the beach I would have been better off at the main beach which at least restricts boat to 200 feet offshore. I complained to the park manager he told me to go another time and they might not be there which given the length of the walk is kind of a gamble. This park requires non boaters to hike a long way while allowing boaters to just come right in so I guess we know who has clout in Saugatuck. There is not way I would make this a regular place to swim and matter of fact if you do not own a pricey home on the lake your basically out of luck in this area as there are very few public beaches and they are far too small to accommodate the large number of people who want to go in the summer. If you like Coney Island atmosphere however you might like them myself I am more used to Florida Gulf Coast where you can spread out and not be on top of each other. If you like to walk this is not a bad place but to make it a regular swim beach would not be convenient unless you want to substitute this for an afternoon jog, (NOT)
We went here on a whim, as I often do, and didn't realize how much of a hike we were in for. Don't think it's bad, just didn't realize it was a 15-20 minute walk to the lake. The other important thing to remember hiking in, is that anything you climb down going in, you have to climb up going out. I'm just glad we weren't hauling anything but ourselves!
Have been here before and had an even better time this year! First off, you have to hike about a mile from the parking lot to the beach. The walk is pretty, but slightly harder while carrying your beach gear. The beach last year had a ton of boats docked on shore which made swimming harder but this year the waves were AMAZING so no boats and all we did was body surf for like 3 hrs!!!
This is really a good place to hang out with friends and family. I visit there with my girl friend and it's very quite and not crowded. it has a disc golf ground and beautiful wood to explore, you can hike, cycling or running here in this park.
The beach is very beautiful and a lot of water spots on the lake, I saw many boats, jet skii and so on. although it take about 20 min walk to get to beach and you need to pass a small hill. there are lots of things to do here, you can really spend a whole day here.
The state park was the best part of our trip. The trails are great and the beach was beautiful. Highly suggest bug spray. The flies on the beach ate us up. We loved the park.
This is a gorgeous beach. I highly recommend under one condition if you have a lot of things to take to the beach it's a long walk to walk in. This is a beach where you bring a back pack at most and that's it. It's usually not to busy and it's beautiful.
This is a wonderful place to spend the day. We hiked on the beach trail, which is only 2.5 miles RT and pretty well marked. It leads to a couple of small coves that have a steep walk down to the water but are totally worth it.
The only reason this is not a 5-star review is that some of the other trails were not as well marked or easy to find as the beach trail.
This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends or family. Make sure you have a camera, and enough room to take many photo's. Wear comfortable clothing and just relax and enjoy.
Nice hiking trails and beautiful views of Lake Michigan. You can hike in to the lake on one trail and come back on another and walk on the beach in between. The hikes are not too long but very scenic.
The trip to the beach starts with a nice walk in the woods. This is a basic beach without amenities like a snack shop or bathrooms near the beach. The sand and water are classic West Michigan - beautiful. Picnic tables in the shade are available near the parking lot. Even though it is less busy than Holland State Park, it can get busy.
This is a lovely beach with good trails for hiking. I was here in mid April. It was quiet and clean. It was a longer walk to the beach than I was expecting, but nice nonetheless. Bringing some water or snacks would have been nice. There's a few signs along the trail but my friends and I were still confused as to which way to go. Fun place to spend the day.
This place is huge. From the parking lot you take trails to the dunes. As we started up the trail, a family coming back told us not to go on. The dunes were about two miles up the wooded trail. So much for seeing these dunes. I wish I could tell you about the view - just too far for me to walk on trails.
This park has a great beach and great facilities. You could definitely spend a whole day at state park!
We visited the Dunes State Park to get some exercise before we got back in the car to drive 4 hours. The Dunes have many paths you can choose and they are very well marked. It was really nice as at that time in the morning, there was a lot of shade. It was quite warm outside - made the hike more enjoyable. I highly recommend for walking/running/hiking. There are some nice hills to get your heart pumping!
Beautiful walk through the woods with my dog. The trails were more traditional and easier to walk than I had anticipated ; expected more soft sand and hills .. Since the park is dog friendly, I was surprised they were not allowed on beach. We stepped out there briefly - lovely , quiet beach. I highly recommend for those travelers wanting to get in touch with nature and a break from the more tourist filled areas.
Once you have parked you still have a bit of a trek to cover to reach the beach...However it is never crowded (even during busy weekends) and so worth it...If the rest of your party fancies hiking on dunes and hills there is an ample choice of trails through the woods so you are never too hot....A perfect combination of hiking and relaxation by Lake Michigan
I will start off by saying my wife and I love to hike. The trails were great. We spent about 4 hours here just walking the different trails. Nice way to spend the afternoon.
We hiked the southern trail at Saugatuck Dunes. It was listed at 5.5 miles which was about the limit of what we wanted to hike but we chose to try it. It was an absolutely beautiful hike and seemed less than 5 and a half miles as the weather was nice and cool. But, what we did not expect was that about a mile of the hike just before and after the midpoint was up and down the sand dunes sometimes shaded by trees, sometimes not. The hike was great and I would recommend it but that part is rather strenuous. Make sure you're prepared for it.
There are multiple trails. The map is easy to follow. You can choose how far you want to hike. Plenty to do. We spent a solid 2 hours. We could have made it longer or shorter. Could definitely budget three hours hiking these trails.
You park, in the parking lot if you're lucky, or on the road if the lot's full, and then you walk to get to the beach. The short route is six tenths of a mile. We intended to take the short route, but the trail markers are rather unclear, and we ended up on a longer route, with a lot of ups and downs, including plodding through a lot of sand on some of the hills. It was a bit of a challenge, and if we had been carrying much of anything, it would have been a pain. We took the easier route back, fortunately, which was much easier. The walk in the trees is nice: a nice hike through the woods. Our state parks are a blessing; we are fortunate to have them, and being able to just enjoy Lake Michigan is a joy.
Loved hiking here. We have been here year round and it is just as lovely, no matter what time of year. Prepare for wind regardless of the time of year though.
I shouldn’t be giving a review because that just means I am sharing my secret of favorite places to visit. I know Oval Beach gets all the hype and it is a lovely beach but the dunes state park offers a great hike through the forest and has these amazing tall dunes right into the lake. The beaches are more remote and less touristy and just much more amazing! We continue to come back year after year.
This a small state park with very little in facilities. The bathrooms are pit toilets. Paying is on the honor system. We were there on a Sunday morning & there was no one checking to see if we payed. A shelter & a few picnic tables.
This is really a HIKING park. There are 4 trails. 3 are rated strenuous.
The easiest is the Beach Trail. Easy is relative because there's some inclines & some sandy areas. There's a last push uphill hiking in sand, then downhill to the beach.
I would say it's moderate. I did like the trail.
There were several people enjoying the beach & when I got back to the parking lot it was filling up.
Dogs are allowed on the trails & on the beach, but must be leashed. I saw some that weren't. I also stepped in dog poop, so yet another reason to dislike dogs on the trail (or their lazy owners!).
We stopped on our way through and hiked to the beach. It was mid morning and quite a hike that we didn't prepare for. The beach was beautiful though.
Had a great time. Wonderful place and great history to have
Driving was fun and very scenic and very very cool and very interesting and very easy to use
Stunning photos of our sunset stroll. Owls swoop silently and waves lap at sugar sand shores. Pretty perfect. Easy to take public transportation here, bike friendly and easy parking on most weekends I was told
The beach is great. It's a bit of a hike, but you will be rewarded with great views, a a part of the lake that stays shallow quite a ways out. Don't go there for sandy dunes, though. Most of the dunes have vegetation. Go to Sleeping Bear if you want to climb up and down sand hills.
This was a gorgeous park. The lady at the admissions gate was great--very cheerful and pleasant. The only criticism I have, though, is that there weren't enough trail signs for my liking. My dumb butt got us turned around when we were trying to access the beach area, so we ended up on a rugged south trail. More signs indicating where we were going would have been helpful. Aside from that--great job and I highly recommend it!
We hiked through the woods and were taken aback by the spectacular beach and water views. Not too busy on a Friday afternoon. The hike we chose out of a few options was about a mile both ways. Pretty easy for us as 64 and 65 yrs., but would be tough for anyone not in reasonably good shape for walking up and down some hills.
We did not have a state park sticker. In the past we've been able to get a day pass but we had to buy one for the rest of the year ($11) and while I was putting my change away the ranger leaned in and put the sticker on my window! How about a paper pass? Now I have to scrape it off. The hiking is fun here if you're prepared for a hike. If you just want to go to the beach, try Ottawa (not sure why their address is attached to this state park on the site). The woods and dunes are gorgeous. Great walk!! Right now there's not much beach, the water is high, and the beach was full of pieces of styrofoam cooler, cigarette butts, etc...we walked quite a ways before finding a decent place to put our towels. So hiking-yes! but if you just want a day on the beach, other state parks in the area have parking that is closer to the lake, and the facilities are much better.
This is a very nice park. The walk to the beach is long but very well marked. The map is an excellent tool to have to navigate the 6 - 8 trails. The beaches are very nice and not crowded what so ever. Will do it again when we return.
Stongly reccomend the dune ride. you will have a blast. Very informative about how the dunes came to be.The drivers are very humorous. There is lots of time for photos
First the entrance fee is by honestly only. So please pay to keep the park beautiful. Plenty of parking I hiked the north trail which is 2.5 miles round trip or the 0.6 miles direct beach trail. Overall I would rate the trail as easy to moderate. I did not hike the 0.6 trail just the 2.5 mile which is round trip. Plenty of shade and the trail is marked no way to get lost here. Enjoy the hike and then cool off at the beach.
The regular beach does not allow dogs, but if you follow the Livingston trail you can take your dog to the southern end of the park. It is a LONG hike so don't take a bunch of stuff for the beach, watch for the trail markers especially on the hike back. Start on the Beach trail which then branches off to the Livingston trail. There are signs that say No Dog Allowed, but evidently there's been a rule change and you can take them to the Southern end.
Great hike to the beach. Short hike thru shaded woods out to beautiful beach area. If you have a lot to haul it would be a lot of work. If it’s just you and a towel or backpack I’d say go for it!
Great hiking with varied terrain - some of the hiking is on uneven terrain and is steep so be prepared and bring water.
If you are looking for a workout this is the place for you. Not the place to take the family to the beach. What is not posted is the 2.5 mile beach trail workout, mostly uphill, you get which ends you up at a cliff looking over the lake. Few random picnic tables and miles of trails that's about it. They use the honor system if you don't have the recreation tag. Will never go back, was not what we had hoped for at all. If you can make it to the beach without passing out on the trail, you might get some ok scenery. Really a waste of time for us. Will never go back to this park. If you want to take the kids to the beach don't even bother with this place.
This is our go-to beach. We love the walk through the woods, and can't wait to get our first peek of the lake. Even on the busiest of days there is plenty of room to spread out. If you're planning on hiking the trails be sure to bring a map or save it on your phone. They were missing from the posts along the trail. Plenty of helpful hikers pointed the way for us.
We went on July 4th because the entrance was free and people were parking pretty much everywhere inside and outside the park. If you really want to see the sand dunes better choose another place because there are just a few narrow strip of dunes here that is over crowded and vegetation has overtaken everything around. No modern restrooms near the beach which makes it very difficult if you have little ones who don't want to use the only one port-a-potty type built restroom that doesn't have a proper closing door. Forget diaper changing stations. There is no trash cans nearby. Similar restrooms near the parking lot. The so called picnic area near the parking lot don't look impressive or well maintained. There is a lone hand pump if you want water. We saw people using it to clear the sand from their legs and sandals. Do not assume there is only 10minute walk through 0.5mile hike on Beach Trail that nearly everyone you encounter will tell you. It's a very long hike through shady tick infested trail going up and down the hill with tree roots sticking here and there. If you are bringing stroller or wheelchair you are doomed because toward the very end of the trail there is real beach sand (up to that it is only a little sandy) and a steep climb down to the beach. It was overcrowded and there is a narrow strip of beach taking you to other narrow dunes on both sides of this beach. Not at all worth the trip if you really want to see the dunes or enjoy a day at the beach. We had high expectations and were disappointed. If you want to enjoy beaches at Lake Michigan go to other places with long strips of beach. Don't waste your money here unless the main reason for you coming here is to go hiking on trails.
The Saugatuck dunes state Park is a natural area with hiking trails in the summer and cross-country ski trails in the winter. The fall is especially beautiful is the leaves are changing. From the parking lot you walk up over the dunes through a pine and oak forest some of the most beautiful glimpses of Lake Michigan. The sunsets are spectacular.
Great variety of hiking with a great pay off of views and access to Lake Michigan. Perfect for a little get away.
We took the Livingston Trail from the parking lot to the beach which was about 1.4 miles each way. The hike was beautiful and fairly easy though there were some parts that were sandy making it a bit more difficult to walk.
Wonderful time spent at the park. We chose to do the hike down to the beach..I would rate the hiking easy to moderate depending upon where you go. Our trail to go down to the beach of Lake Michigan had a steep incline but otherwise it was pretty easy. Getting down to the beach waters edge also could be a bit difficult if you are not accustomed to hiking as it has a steep hill down or at the path we chose did. I did not use a map so there could have been a much easier path. Overall we throughly enjoyed our hike and the view we had of Lake Michigan was well worth the hike. Nice parking area and my husband and I felt safe.
We arrived at the park and got waved on through because we had our state park pass. There were pit toilets, a parking lot, and no information posted anywhere regarding the trails. There were 2 trail heads visible from the parking lot and a large family started off in one direction, and not wanting to hike behind another group, we went the other way. The trail was fairly rugged, washed out and mostly uphill. The bugs were also bad. We hadn't encountered any bugs on our trip up to that point, so we weren't prepared. We enjoyed watching chipmunks scurry around in the forrest along the way. In about 15 minutes we came out at the top of the dune, and it was worth the hike. We enjoyed the views, took some pictures, and hiked along the beach toward the area where we saw people swimming and sun bathing. From there we returned on a fairly flat trail back to the parking lot. I'm not sure if there is any more to see in the park, since we didn't find or recieve any information. It might be available at the check in point, but it wasn't offered. This was our first trip to Michigan, and my understanding is that there are more impressive dunes to be seen, but we did enjoy it. There are no amenities, so carry any and everything you want or need with you. The only place to change is in the pit toilet. They are spacious, not the portapotties, but not the most pleasant environment to use as a changing room.
So many trails and is pet friendly , my pup and I hike these well groomed trails alot and love to get to the top of a dune to watch the sunset!
We visited for the weekend from Cleveland, and we loved the sandy hikes on the dunes! It's a great trip for getting outside, getting in some exercise, and the beaches, shoreline, and clean water on the other side of the dunes are definitely worth viewing. So glad we had the opportunity to visit, will be back again, definitely!
Our family had a lovely walk through the forest to the lake shore. Lake Michigan is spectacular. We all enjoyed the views. Surprisingly, in this case, the dunes are mostly heavily forested, but it was a nice surprise on a sunny summer day.
Firstly, the reviews do not seem to match the location. Secondly, the address (at least at the time of my writing this) is incorrect. The Ottawa Beach address would put you in Holland State Park, and if you click on the map button, the location also shows up there. So check the address!!!
Now, on to the review. This is a beautiful park. The walk to the beach is not that bad, actually it was enjoyable, and we had a wagon and three children aged 6-12. Plus, we enjoy locales that are as much about the journey as the destination. The beach was clean, not too crowded, no houses or concession stands...just beach. We all agreed this was our favorite day while on vacation.
Brother and me hunting for Morrell mushrooms. Convent parking and so close to Saugatuck/Douglas. Well Travelled paths and great scenery.
Saugatuck Dunes is a great place to visit. It’s a hike from the parking lot (which can be very busy in summer) to the beach but that’s part of the charm. There are multiple paths out to the beach.
We love going to Naugatuck Dunes State Park. The trails are fairly rigorous. That's fine - most of the time we need the exercise. If you are into cross country skiing or snow shoeing, this is the place to go. Do a great loop and drive into town and stop at the Butler Hotel for some sustenance!
Great hiking, but the trails are poorly marked. We had a map and are experienced hikers, but went the wrong direction many times!
What a wonderful place to sit, breathe, relax and recharge! Great trails to hike! Going back in June to camp. Highly recommend!
Charming side trip to piddle in the dunes with the little ones. Beach IS NOT deep. It is long and narrow. The dunes themselves can be walked but I have climbed 1000’s of feet in the Rockies and was less exhausted...the sand falls away under your feet. So do not overestimate trails you want to walk.
The beach is beautiful. However, to get to the beach you must walk about 1/2 mile from the parking lot through tick infested woods on a sandy trail up and down hill. It is not a short walk. Great of your a young family but if your carrying a lot of stuff, or handicapped in any way. Its not going to work. We were happy with the beach once we did arrive but the walk to get there was horrible.
This diverse park has many marked and unmarked trails for both hikers and casual strollers, as well as cross country ski and bike trails.
Many lead out to beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan. There are several outhouses, and tables for picnicking. No overnight camping.
Visited the state park this past weekend. It is a bit of a walk to the beach, approximately .5 miles. The beach is well-maintained and has a beautiful view. If you enjoy walking along the beach, the beach is about 2 miles long. The only downside is the bathroom facilities. There is only one outhouse close to the beach and it smells BAD. I did not use the one near the parking area so I cannot attest to its cleanliness.
I was hoping to find a quiet beach for a few hours of solo time. I took the North Trail back to the beach which was a nice hike. The beach was clean with only a few other people there. Taking the main trail to the beach would have been more crowded at the landing point. Make sure to have a bottle of water in a light backpack with things you'll need for the beach.
Even though this park is very rustic and there is no camping, I went to day use area to hike the dunes. Woods surround the area, and the hiking was great, even in the rain. I saw two deer running through the woods. There are easy trails and difficult trails. I took the easy route. Then it turned a bit difficult. I was still able to hike it. Be careful, the are lots of roots. That is the charm of hiking.
This is a beautiful state park with plenty of hiking, in which the trails are well marked and also have many different options to pursue based on your ability. At the top of the dunes you have a beautiful view of lake Michigan and the beach there was wonderful. The parking and facilities were adequate, with ample parking and even a well pump to wash your sandy feet off!! I would highly recommend.
My wife and I love walking along shorelines. The Lake Michigan Shoreline at the State Park is pristine and seemingly endless. We strolled hand in hand for a couple hours and never made it to the end. The water was cool yet refreshing and the sand welcomes your feet like old friends. This is an excellent experience, one every visitor to the Saugatuck area should enjoy.
We stopped at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park because we were a bit early for our dinner reservations. It was an interesting experience, and I wish we would have had more time.
From the parking lot, it's about a mile walk to get to the beach. It's not an easy walk, and definitely not one that anyone with difficulties walking could make, nor is it wheelchair accessible as you have to go through sand the closer you get to the beach, which is about the last tenth of a mile. Once there, we found a pretty crowded place. There is a small strip of beach, which is very soft. We walked a bit along the water's edge, but although the weather was hot, the water was really cold, and we didn't swim.
I was hoping to see large sand dunes, and while we walked through some on our way from the parking lot to the beach, they weren't like the photos I've seen of others like Sleeping Bear Dunes. Still, it's a very worthwhile trip, and the beach is clean and very natural.
I've been hiking there for years. My favorite trail goes over the dune and ends up at the beach. It's a moderate hike. There are also several ways to get to the beach for swimming and sun. The trails are never crowded.
The beach itself is beautiful and rarely crowded, which is difficult to find in other towns like Holland and Grand Haven. However the walk to the beach goes through the woods and is pretty long.
I love the walk up through the trees and than you come up over a knoll and there is the Lake. Great place to take the kids. The water is clean and the sand is a joy, well worth the walk.
In the parking lot, we saw two trails, but there was not enough information about them so we didn't know which way to go.. I had read reviews about a 5 mile trail to the beach and I surely did not want to be on that trail! I was hoping the trail we chose was the 1 mile trail, and it turns out it was. The trail is not difficult at all but there is a fork at some point - if you go to the right, it is smoother and slightly longer. If you stay on the left, it is shorter but it takes some more effort. This trail through the park to the beach is so picturesque! Took a lot of pictures.. And then you reach the top where you can actually see the beach. Wow! Wonderful view! The sand dunes are so pretty! The kids (teenagers) had a great time and enjoyed a swim in the lake. A lot of people were coming prepared with picnic baskets and coolers and trying to find a shady spot to sit down. Others were enjoying the sun on the beach. Will definitely visit again!
We particularly liked it that you had to walk to the beach and couldn't drive, it was very unspoilt. The walk is not flat and not suitable for the infirm, although I certainly wouldn't class it as hiking. The woods were not what I was expecting for a dunes park (I think the proper dunes must be in a different bit of the park) but the walk was enjoyable and cool. The beach is beautifully sandy and we could have stayed there much longer than we did.
The trail to the dunes is a nice walk and is not at all strenuous. Its approximately a mile long trail which will take you to the dunes. The dunes have a small shoreline connecting the dunes to the water. The park was surprising less crowded which was awesome! There are trees near the dunes and you can find shade to set your umbrellas. The water temperature was soothing (in first week of August). There are some rocks in the lake marked with posts. It was fun to jump into the lake from these rocks. Just be careful that you jump away from the rocks.
Love this state park. Be prepared for the 2/3 mile hike back to the beach. It is hilly. There are outhouses for use one at beach and a few at park. Place to grill with charcoal and a pump for water. The water on Lake Michigan is high so the beach is very narrow. I suggest walking to right and we found a small patch for our shade tent and towels.
The state park requires a bit of a hike to get to the beach, but it is worth it to experience the great scenery and the excellent beach. However, I was surprised to learn that entrance to the state park was not free for non-Michigan residents and required purchasing a "Recreation Passport." It was worth the fee to experience the dunes and get access to the beach but it make sure to have cash on you!
It was quite a little hike to get to the beach. Definitely wear bug spray or you will get bitten. There is very limited markings on the trail. When the trail forks, the high part leads to the beach. The low part does not. Part of the trail is uphill and definitely uneven path. Path is part sand, part hard ground. An outhouse is on the trail, shortly before you reach the beach. The outhouse smelled horrific but, they usually do. Beach was not very big but still room for multiple families. There was hardly anyone on the beach. You could walk a good way on the water's edge. Very pretty. Water was very cold. My daughter said it was not so bad once your feet went numb from the cold water. We did not swim, just waded in the water. Was fun to see all of the little fish swimming around. Is definitely worth a visit.
Was an exceptional joy spending about four hours hiking in and around the forests, wildlife, sand dunes and beaches of Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
My wife and I have always talked about how we wanted to come back and do the Dune Ride again. It is a must do if you are in the area and the weather is nice. Our drivers have always been extremely nice and personable. They always get everyone involved and laughing. The time at the top of the Dunes is great too. Cool place to take a picture with family or friends.
This is such a favorite place of ours. We love the walk through the woods to the beach and seeing all the families walking along with their wagons loaded with chairs and picnic items. Everyone seems relaxed and happy. Down on the beach there is more than enough room to spread out and enjoy the sand and water. I love to watch the children play in the water and have such a good time. We have been there so many times and each time we come away with a good feeling about this place. This time I did need to use the "facilities" and I must say the one down by the beach could use a major clean up! Let's take care of this jewel for future generations. Every child should have the opportunity to play on the beach!
This is a beautiful lake beach with wonderful views and sights. The water is cool all the time, but feels great on a hot day. There are ample options as to things to do other than to swim.
As much as we love the place, the horse flys are well named--they are huge and pack a punch when (and they will) bite you. Make certain you have ample spray and protection when you are in the sun. Bring along a friend to make certain you get ALL parts of your body covered!
Sunglasses are a must!
despite being there at an awkward, between-season time (most of the snow was gone but no leaves were on the trees yet), my boyfriend and I greatly enjoyed our little hike to the beach. the woods were absolutely majestic and it was easy to see how splendid they would look in the summer. the beach and the dunes were stunning. I definitely intend on returning here- if a place can make that much of an impression in the off-season, it's worth seeing in all its glory.
We wanted to visit 3 beaches in the area, so we had gone to Oval Beach (gorgeous---easy to get into), Pier Cove Beach (gorgeous, small 10 car lot) and finally, Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Chamber of Commerce says 'easy ten minute walk'. IF you're on the right trail! My fault! Could only see one sign when we got to the lot & it did mention the beach, but we ended up on the wrong trail. Beautiful woods, much more than ten minutes, and at the end, up and down 2 smaller dunes, on the sand, in the afternoon, in 80 degree weather (equals burned feet). When we got there, it was beautiful! Pure golden sand, dunes around, not a thing in the clear water. And NOT a lot of people. Lovely! We managed to find the correct trail back (The Beach Trail) after we walked along the water, down where there were more people. OK. That was maybe a 15 walk, not too much hot sand on sandalled feet. We all came out with quite a few mosquito bites, so you want to prep for that. And don't carry too much! It's worth it when you get there, but it is a bit of a hike. Outhouses only, in the parking lot area, and also picnic tables in that area if you want to eat & not carry that stuff down.
The state park is nice, and good for hiking. We went for the beach because the Oval Beach was full. Be aware that it's a solid 15 minute walk through the dunes to the beach. Facilities are minimal. However, the trails are very beautiful -- just be prepared to haul your beach gear a long distance.
Lake Michigan is ever changing but always fascinating! It is a stunning walk in any season. Cross-county ski trails are marked. Spring is green and lush with wildflowers. Autumn is my favorite with it's kaleidoscope of rich colors. Summer shade of foliage is a welcome reprieve on the walk back to your car.
This was our first time visiting Saugatuck Dunes State Park. We were not prepared for the .6 mile hike to the water or we would not have brought so much with us for the afternoon at the beach. There is an outhouse before you arrive at the water which was nice. The water was warm and clear and the sand was also clean. Beautiful park!
Beautiful State Park and very well maintained. I would say that the trails are very poorly marked and the map is not helpful. We asked some locals for help and the concurred that the trail map and marking are not very good. Would suggest not paying for parking at the actual state park when you can park just next door across the street from the Felts Museum and get to beautiful forested trails that lead to dunes.
We visited Saugatuck Dunes state park with our 19 month old and we loved every moment. The scenery is simply breathtaking. Yes it is a mile hike to the beach through the woods and dunes but it is well worth it when you reach the beach. Miles and miles of untouched glory as far as the eye can see. Find a private spot of unspoiled beach or play on the massive sand dunes. Be sure to climb the large dunes near the shore to get a view unlike any other you have ever seen. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind. A++
My daughter insisted we go to the State park, I argued with her, but I must say, it was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen in my life!! Lake Michigan was breathtaking!!
Wonderful trails thru wooded back dunes to Lake Michigan, especially liked the south circular loop approximately 5 mile trail thru mature wooded areas winding to dunes and Lake Michigan shoreline. Sagatuck is a popular area so expect some people especially during the busy season, try in the spring or fall if possible, take a backpack with water and snacks!
My wife and I love the Pacific NW, any excuse to visit family in Seattle and visit Seaside OR, we're there. We were really impressed with Saugatuck Dunes State Park, it mirrored the Oregon coastline in many ways. Far more beautiful vs. Wisconsin or Illinois coastline, I could close my eyes with Dutch Brothers Coffee and be in Canon Beach. We hiked a trail out to the beach with our friends and their newborn, no difficulties at any junction. No need for special hiking gear, anyone can enjoy this state park and we would recommend for any physical condition. There are some areas that may require better footing or physical exertion, however we saw visitors of every age, shape and condition out here.
Bathrooms and cover are scarce, would recommend you bring cover if spending any prolonged period on the beach. Several trail options make this a great weekend ritual for any locals. Beautiful, pristine, Pure Michigan + 1.
Shaded parking and beautiful although lond, 20 minute hike through the wooded area to get to the beach. The hills and sandy footing are a bit much for taking coolers and chairs that distance. Younger children struggle a bit as well. They are happy and excited going in and grumpy and wore out on the hike back out! Well maintained and very clean beach area, although a bit small for the amount of parking that allows more than the capacity of beachfront to comfortably accomodate. A weekday trip is recommended. Overall a nice stop but don't expect dramatic or huge dunes.
Although it was a 15 minute hike to the lake shore, the trails are in great shape and the wooded setting is beautiful. Unfortunately, we weren't prepared for the black flies on the beach, and their biting is painful which meant we didn't stay on the beach very long.
I've been going to Saugatuck for years and other then the dune rides I had no idea there were dunes you could climb and explore. Great workout, and great trails. Highly recommend if you want a little adventure fun!!
My husband and I love to hike so it was great to try hiking on a sandy terrain! The trees and forest are beautiful, and there are so many tall dunes to climb which give you an amazing view of Lake Michigan. I highly doubt any part of this park except the parking lot is accessible if you have wheelchair/walker/cane needs so just make sure to note that prior to arriving. The easy trails through the woods are also picturesque and great, but also wouldn't be very accessible with a wheelchair/walker/cane so just keep that in mind. Overall fabulous stop and well worth our $10 donation to the state parks!
Great beach. We walked 2 miles along the beach. You can have some privacy if you walk far enough. Climbing the dunes are great for you calf muscles; good workout.
Great State park with wonderful hiking trails and very close to downtown Saugatuck. Beautiful beach and views of Lake Michigan as a reward for your hike. As a couple visiting friends in the area we truly enjoyed our time hiking at this great park.
Beautiful beach. Dunes are nice to walk on. Very nice place and some great views. Many trails and a lot of room
Nice walk from the parkinglot trough the forest, about one kilometer on well kept trails. Great sandy beach with few others at 10 am on a Monday. Well worth the tavel and park fee.
Beach was nice. However, we didn't realize that it was a mile hike to get to the beach. If you are looking just for a beach for swimming and playing in the sand, you may want to consider a different beach. However, if you don't mind walking, it would be fine. The hike was through the woods, so at least it wasn't too hot.
Very classy area to sunbathe. Safe for families and small children. Very beautiful location. Amazing sunsets.Well worth a visit to soak in some rays.
A nice little semi secluded beach. No too many people on the weekday were were there. We walked right from the car to the beach.
Nice soft serve ice cream.
After an afternoon at Oval Beach, I was looking for something less crowded. This park was perfect! A relatively easy walk through wooded area (well, easy not carrying a bunch of stuff) to reach the beach. Pick up a map at the gate; signs aren’t great. Also bring cash and a pen. The entrance gate isn’t always manned and can operate on the honor system with envelopes.
Beautiful walk and view, the whole area is so peaceful and clean, everyone was so friendly and helpful
This is another of jewels in the Michigan State Park system. The park does charge the state park fee. (The recreational pass is one of the best deals in Michigan tourism. Ours was purchased at the same time we renewed the licenses for our vehicles.) The parking lot is small and does fill up. Make a stop at the pit toilet before starting the hike to the beach. The walk through the forest and over the dunes is beautiful. Warning, this is not an easy stroll, but the hike is worth it. The beach is small but not crowded. Our beach shelter was placed with the beach grass at our back and the water lapping 4 feet from our toes. Water temperature was in the high 70s and very refreshing.
Fun to walk out and visit. But be prepared for minimum of 30 in walk in. The walk it under lots of trees, so not so hot. Wind can we very strong. It was about 30-40 mph when we visited.
The beach itself is great, actually prefer it over Oval Beach as it's a little quieter, but you have to be prepared to schlep your stuff in a ways as you have to take a wooded trail to get there. Once there though it's a very nice beach.
The dunes were well maintained and trash not visible. Signs marked areas so not to have confusion where to go.
My husband and I hiked the path to the beach on a November afternoon. We encountered a few other hikers. The path through the forest protected us from the wind which was nice because once we hit the beach it got much colder. It was absolutely beautiful. Most of the leaves were on the ground, the path was well marked and hilly. A nice workout for an average adult. The reward of course was arriving at the beach and sitting on the bench that overlooks the choppy water full of white capped waves. We didn't stay long because it was so much colder on the beach. We did enjoy our walk and were glad we were able to sneak one last walk in before the expected snow.
Dunes covered by beautiful Beech, Maple forests. Trails lead to scenic overlooks of Lake Michigan and beaches.
This is your typical dumpy Michigan state park. One pair of run-down single-seat outhouses serving hundreds if not thousands of visitors on a busy day. Poorly marked maps and trails. Parking, atrocious, and plenty of rude people not watching where they are driving in order to park outside the property so they don't have to pay to get in. We gave up and left. Scenery or not, it's not worth the bother.
Beautiful wooded dune trails, Shady and pleasantly cool in heat of summer, trails lead out spectacularly on to golden sandy beach, with whole of lake Mich just panning out beyond.
Would not miss this.
Went near sunset. Beautiful views. Windy, so bundle up in autumn.
Treed and hilly. Paths can be dark at night.
Visited last weekend, this was my favorite beach we went to. It wasn't crowded due to the hike to get there. The hike was rather enjoyable as well. The flys were pretty bad, but that was the same at Oval Beach. We will be back again. You do need the Rec Passport, you can buy it at the gate if you don't have one it is $11.
The red trail was a bit strenuous and not marked too well. But the views of the lake and dunes made it worth it. It was still very hot in September, so you might want to check the forecast. There was a school group enjoying the park. $11 to get in.
Manageable parking area with tree covered picnic tables. Hiked the north trail to beach, walked the beach down to the south end and hiked back on the south trail.
This is a place for walking and enjoying the nature in quiet. Expect long walks to the beach, pack out what you pack in. Beautiful natural dunes provide canopied trails and diverse vistas opening up to wild beaches.
Bring bug spray, you will be eatin alive. But other then that, it's a wonderful getaway. Nothing to complain about in this review.
nice mid autumn weekend @ SDSP; dune trails are not crowded at all; most visitors are around the beach area; wearing sandal/slipper is fine; bathrooms are scarce
Brother and me hunting for Morrell mushrooms. Convenient parking and so close to Saugatuck/Douglas. Well Travelled paths and great scenery.
There is a nice wooded hike to the beach with a lovely opening at trail's end where you come upon the water. Just travel light as it is a 2.5 mi. trail and be sure to use the Beach, or yellow, Trail.
This is a beautiful park. The walk to the beach is about 3/4 of a mile but it is really nice. The sunset on the beach was spectacular. Definitely recommended!
A great way to spend an afternoon in nature. I walked out to Lake Michigan through the woods… The views were incredible, very peaceful. I lovely way to spend the afternoon.
We took the 2.5 mile loop hike through a stunningly beautiful forest only to come out to an equally beautiful beach. We went after season so it was quiet and peaceful. Highly recommend. We enjoyed this beach even more than Oval Beach.
Family friendly beach. If you do not have a michigan pass it will be $9 cash or check. Nobody on duty. You put it in an envelope and leave it in a lockbox. We only had a 5 and some 20's. either I had to under pay or leave Michigan a huge tip then a couple gave me a 5. :). The beach was a little walk so pack light. We took backwoods offbut there was no wind and the biting flies were still bad. Maybe a windy day would not have been so bad. The water was crystal clear unlike Lake Erie.
We LOVED this beach. We hiked the long path (North path) to the beach. The kids loved the giant dune we came down. Scenery was amazing, water was crystal clear. The beach was not at all crowded. Amazing views, one if our favorites in that area!
It's a 0.9 mile walk from the parking lot to the beach through a beautiful path in the woods. When you come upon the beach, you will find some of the cleanest sand and unbelievably clear Lake Michigan water. It almost feels like you're at a private beach it's so unpopulated. Additionally, there are several trails you can take through the wooded area around the beach that are all very peaceful and some picnic tables in a shaded area by the parking lot if you want to pack a lunch.
North trail heavy sand dunes, great but be in shape or else don't do it (I have to do 50 characters on this or it won't take).
We truly enjoyed our afternoon spent at the park. Loved the fact it was just trails with no boardwalk or stairs. The hike through the forest was good exercise and very pretty. The view of Lake Michagan, when we cam out of the forest, was spectacular. The trails were not at all crowded and the forest and park area seemed very pristine and free from litter. Our only suggestion would be for the park attendant to provide maps as the various trails can be a bit confusing.
Many steps to climb with a probable great view, if the sky would not have been so overcast. It would be nicer, if the top would have a pleasant place to rest and relax after the strenious climb.
Visited on a cold day, kids like the beach to hunt for rocks. Gave them a chance to run around even though they had to wear boots. Early spring, after a snow. Nice to watch boats and see the light house.
Nice peaceful walk through the wooded dunes to Lake Michigan.
Well marked trails with an easy level of hiking required. miles of possible options, or a direct mile walk to the unspoiled beach.
Located right next to a mansion that offers tours as well on a county park
We spent 2 to 2 1/2 hours on the trails at this Dunes State Park, granted it was a 45 degree day with the sun shining bright, it was wonderful. The fall colors were still very much evident, the forest area was outstanding, the beach and dunes were awesome. Nobody was around, such a very, very pleasant afternoon in nature. We even had a big buck dear cross our path, couldn't ask for more.
we got here after spending half a day in downtown Saugatuck.which is a beautiful little town to visit with lovely botiques,cafes and restaurants.The beach itself is quite and beautiful. but it is quite a hike from the parking lot (about 1.5 miles) of hilly terrain and there are no restrooms/ changing rooms once you get there so make sure you have everything you need before you set off because it is a long walk back to the parking lot.we were there in the first week of july and the water was very cold so could not really swim.there is also a 6-8$ entry fee to enter the park.
This is a nice state park on the shores of Lake Michigan. It has a beautiful beach. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is a little long, if one compares it to other state parks on the shores of Lake Michigan. The sand is great.
Keep libations on the downlow. The beach was patrolled heavily. The beach was pleasantly crowded on the south side, very busy on the north.
This is a truly beautiful spot. Be aware, you walk through the dunes, through a forest to reach the beach. It is about a half mile, but so very worth the time, it is so peaceful and unspoiled. We come here all seasons of the year, there is something amazing to see every season! The ice that builds on the shore in the winter is amazing.
The summer, of course, is gorgeous. You will not regret this stop! Pure Michigan!
This state park is huge and there are so many miles of trails to explore! The name is fitting because it is mostly primary and secondary dune. I grew up in the Lake Michigan dunes but these have really spectacular gullys and heights.
The lake levels are high right now but there is still enough beach left to play on here, unlike many others that have washed away.
There is about a mile hike to get to the beach with no restrooms. It was a very pretty, wooded hike and a beautiful view. Just be prepared to get some exercise and take some bug spray and water. Use the bathroom before you arrive because there aren't any on site.
We stopped at the State Park for an hour or so just to enjoy some time looking at Lake Michigan! It was worth the time to get there. The view for the top of the sand dunes was amazing.
The State Park has lots of parking, bathrooms, and wide easy sandy trails. There is some elevation changes but overall it is an easy trail. Going up and down the sand dune to the beach wasnt too bad either.
We made the dunes part of a day trip when beach hazard warnings had the beaches closed to swimming in South Haven. It was a great place to visit with beautiful scenery and a nice beach to swim at if desired. It is a bit of a hike from the parking area...but well worth it. My kids are 9 and 8 and had no problem with the hike. Everyone in our group enjoyed this!
As a local, this is our spot. Very peaceful and quiet. Many trails to choose from. Moderately marked.
Signage to the park is easy but the parking lots are confusing. The ranger was able to direct us to the correct one for the beach walk. We got advice from other travelers not to try to take a stroller on the trail. The walk was under a mile and most of the way was through beautifully treed hard sand trails. You just had to keep with the correct colored posts. There were lots of inclines but not tremendous. Be careful of the roots across the path though. Our party included grandma with achy knees, a 2 year old that needed her hand held, a 3 month old being carried by mom, and all the paraphernalia with goes with young kids. The destination is a 2.5 mile beach that is usually sparsely populated. When you reach the cleared area opening onto the beach, the sand got soft and pretty difficult to walk as sand has a habit of doing. The view, however, was beautiful and the walk well worth the effort and did not prove too strenuous.
The hike through the forest was peaceful and not overly strenuous. The first view of the lake as you walk out of the woods makes this hike worth every effort. The only reason it doesn't get five stars from me is that the $11.00 entry fee is fairly steep for just trail access. I'd still visit again.
The beach is located about 4 miles from Saugatuck and the nicest beach in the area. The setting is pristine with forests dunes. There are no concessions and only a primitive restroom. The .75 mile trail leading to the beach is sandy in parts beginning with a long incline and the descending toward the beach. The return hike is just the opposite. Lake Michigan was cold but the sun was strong. Very picturesque. We stayed about 3 hours. The hike to and from the beach could be difficult for small children.
A group of us decided to take the 5 mile path to the beach. I am not sure how we ended up on the correct path, but we did and it was beautiful. The trails are marked but not as well as we had hoped they would be. Once you find the correct path, it was fairly easy to follow. We would recommend the map be color coded and more trail markings added. That was the only reason the park received 4 stars and not 5.
Peaceful, lovely. Not crowded on a spring Friday. Nice views of the Lake from the lake trail. Would recommend.
The trails through Saugatuck Dunes State Park are comfortable and serene through the trees. It was an enjoyable hike with the reward of the trail opening up to the beach on Lake Michigan. There are no vendors, so it's recommended to bring water or any provisions you may want. You can easily do the round trip, even spending a few minutes on the beach, in an hour or less.
I liked the hike through the woods before you got to the dunes better than the dunes and beach area. The hike through the woods was very tranquil with very few people with many mature trees. We walked along the beach shoreline, but the lake water has been rising for the past few years, resulting in signifiant erosion of the beach, I was informed. The beach erosion is unfortunate, as it is a very pleasant.
We were kind of expecting sand dunes not dunes under the forest. With a 5 yo and a pregnant wife i wouldn't have walked all the way to the beach if i had known it was over a 2 walk there and back. But it a very nice trail (wide) and the beach is beautiful and sandy. Would love to explore more but my wife was having contractions and we had to limit our walking
If you want the beauty of a wide beach with not having to drive to Florida, come to this area. Oval beach is wide and long enough for families to enjoy a great day in the sun and refreshing waters of beautiful Lake Michigan. Hiking the dunes are a bonus.
Plenty of parking at reasonable rates. Good concession and restroom facilities. No dogs or alcohol.
One of the smallest parks with sand dunes but perfect for short hikes that are lovely. Watch for bald eagles!!
My wife and I took our 7 and 12 year old boys there is weekend for the first time and I thought it was a nice location and worth the drive from Grand Rapids We took the North trail out to the beach and then walked the beach and took the Beach trail back to our car. It was a pleasant walk and wasn't too strenuous. My older son split off a couple of times and climbed the larger dunes nearby the trail which he enjoyed.
My wife and I made a trip to Saugatuck Dunes State Park two years ago. We always wanted to bring our kids back there. Well, we just did and had a blast! We paid the $9 entrance fee and took the Livingston Trail to the beach. The hike was about a 1.5 mile walk. Our five kids (ages 10, 9, 7, and twin 6 year olds) had no trouble with the hike (only a few "How much longer?" questions :) The beach on Lake Michigan was so private. The closest people were over 200 yards away. The kids enjoyed playing in the sand and water, although the water was too cold to swim. We stayed about 2 hours and walked North on the shore up to the Beach Trail Head. The total distance we hiked was about 3.5 miles. Very peaceful and relaxing few hours!
This somewhat hidden gem of a park is worth searching for as I think that it is one of the most beautiful places that you can find. The beaches stretch on forever and the beauty if really indescribable. You can hike, picnic, swim, or just breath in all of that beauty.
Wanted to see some dunes, so while in Holland, visited Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
Took the 'North Trail' and, according to my Fitbit, walked over 2000 steps, up and down to the sandy dunes. It's quite a work out, but well worth the adventure.
I have been coming here almost every summer for 20 years. Always a fun ride especially through the woods. Interesting info about the lost city of Singapore. Guides are always great. If you have been on any other dune ride this is totally different but just as fun. Give it a try!
If you like running hills and trails, this is the spot. Choices of trails that run through woods and sand dunes. Nice and cool on the trails on a hot day.
The dunes did not disappoint with a nice hike from the parking lot out to Lake Michigan. The views were beautiful and worth the time.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a good place to enjoy hiking on marked paths in the woods and viewing Lake Michigan.
Besides the fun of speeding along the dunes, the drivers are very prepared to tell and show the history. Learned a lot and enjoyed the ride.
The men that took us out on the buggy were humorous and very knowledgeable about the dunes. Interesting how these dunes came into being and how they are cared for even now.
Definitely glad we had water in backpacks (camelback shoutout!). Kept stopping along the trails just to look in all conceivable directions at the incredible beauty. And that was BEFORE we even reached the lakeside (is it still a beach if it’s on a lake?)... Truly spectacular; no need to drive all the way up north for better known parks. So glad we came.
We spent three days in Zeeland, visited Holland (Windmill Island amongst other things) and shopped in Saugatuck (very nice boutiques). A funny thing for a change is the Saugatuck Dunes Rides (also suitable for children)
We visited mid week. There was no charge for park access or entry. It's a beautiful, gentle hike- esp. In the Fall. We wound our way to the beach and enjoyed the views of Lake Michigan.
Awesome beach but a hike to get there either through woods or dunes. Primitive toilets at small parking area. Beach was beautiful and could walk a long way. There are spots where depending on tide you could end up with wet feet as only narrow strip of sand. No facilities at beach itself and seems pretty widely used by late morning.
Great place to bring the family and the dogs. Hiking the trails to the dunes wasn’t too tiring. Beautiful view of Lake Michigan on top of the dunes. The dogs had a ball playing in the sand and one put her feet in the water. Enjoyed it so much that we visited twice during our vacation. Can’t wait to go back!
An enjoyable hike to the beach from the parking lot. Had the beach to ourselves. Clean sand and clean trails.
we have been going here for years. there are miles and miles of trails to hick and a wonderful beach to swim at. its great for the nature enthusiast.
Beautiful park with excellent trails of varying difficulty with a beautiful beach. The teenagers and the dog had a great time too.
Just an absolutely beautiful Park. My girlfriend and I took a nice walk in the late winter sunshine and loved every minute of it. Looking forward to coming back in the summertime. The only bummer is that the beach is about three-quarters of a mile from the parking lot. Long walk but not a deal killer.
We stopped at the park to eat lunch before going on the dune buggies and decided to take the beach trail. It was a mile long hike with such a beautiful sight and the end. Well worth the time!
This beach is nice and secluded. It works well on days Oval Beach is overwhelmed. But, it is a long walk for a small family to the beach. There is also no running water in the bathroom facilities, so just be aware.
Nice trails through the woods leads to a lovely view of Lake Michigan. We only did one trail because we had our dogs and one is a 3 month old puppy so I wasn't sure how she could handle it, but she loved it! The trail was easy and very enjoyable. The beach was stunning. I would definitely go back there if we visit Saugatuck again!
Beaches are lovely but it's about a half mile walk from the parking lot if you have someone with walking or wheelchair issues, plus you pay to get in.
Great way to hike to private beach! Take the long route, its peaceful and beautiful! Sunset is picturesque...
Not much Parking. Many people parked on the street. I would come back on a day without so many people. Nice trails and dunes.
We hiked the beach trail, which was gorgeous. You travel through the forest to the sand where it opens to the water. It's really a stunning way to end a hike. We went back several times as we could bring our dog.
We love Sleeping Bear dunes but hate how far away it is from us. After doing some research, I found Saugatuck Dunes which is only 2 hours from us. We planned a day trip and absolutely loved our visit. We had lunch on the beach and even made friends with a Ring-billed Gull that we named Benny. I feel like this State Park is a hidden gem because there weren’t a ton of people there. Our favorite part of this state park is that you have the best of both worlds: hiking in the woods and walking along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The trails are well kept, clean and everyone we passed was friendly. There are numerous trails to explore with the Beach Trail (yellow marker) being the easiest and fastest to the shore. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and will definitely be back!
This beach was a bit of a hike but well worth it! We were able to find our own private piece of sand! Beach was beautiful! Remember to follow the Yellow marked trail!
Spending time at this state park was a highlight of our recent road trip through Michigan. I wanted to come here based on the great Trip Advisor reviews and was not disappointed. Since there was no one at the park entrance, we paid at the self pay area. Cost for out of state vehicle was $9.00 since we did not have the Michigan park pass. After parking we took the shorter trail through the forest to the lake, although there are other trail options on the trail map we obtained at the entrance. The walk through the dense forest on a dirt path was a delight with beautiful and very large hardwood trees. After a fairly short walk, we exited the forest right onto Lake Michigan and the small sand dunes. We walked along the lake shore for quite awhile, enjoying the beautiful and peaceful scenery. I loved the grass covered dunes which vary in height from small to rather large. Trails crisscross the dunes at some points near the shore. Some people were enjoying swimming in the lake or lounging on the sand, but it was relatively uncrowded on the Monday that we visited. I would definitely recommend a visit to this state park, a great destination to see beautiful Lake Michigan, the sand dunes and forest.
We had lots of fun. The tour was informative and entertaining. Picturesque views. It was great to walk in the sand on the dunes barefoot. Highly recommend.
Didn't realize you have to walk two miles thur the woods before you get to the beach. Daughter got bite by bugs, so we turned around. Maybe during the summer it would be better.
There are two large beaches on Lake Michigan in this area. Oval Beach and Saugatuck Dunes State Park. We went to both (see separate review for Oval Beach). As far as Lake Michigan beaches go, both of these are much more narrow than those at Ludington, Holland, etc. The parking lot at Saugatuck Dunes is at least a 10 minute walk from the beach so if you are taking just a sheet & a very small cooler, it's a pretty walk to a nice, sandy beach. If you are lugging beach chairs, coolers, beach toys, etc., I'd either hire a camel or go somewhere else. The walk to the beach is through a wooded dune and is very pretty; there are other small hikes at the park which we didn't do. There is also a frisbee golf course. I noted someone else mentioned the bugs while walking through the dunes and I agree; it was odd they were out in late October, but they were & they were vicious little boogers; not mosquitos, but they bit - remember bug spray. The only facilities here are pit toilets; 2 in the parking lot and one closer to the beach. The ones in the parking lot did not have any tissue, so bring your own.
The walk is long, but it is fun to see the dunes and all the plants on them, and it was fairly cool even on a hot day because of the shade. The beach has no amenities, but it is very pretty, and lots of folks were enjoying the water. You need to be mobile to get to the beach, and I would make sure you have bug spray.
The walk, to the beach, is absolutely beautiful. Two new trails were recently added, & they are a bit strenuous. The North trail leads to a very thin strip of beach: You'll climb over a gigantic sand dune, before You are able to reach the shore. You are rewarded with a shallow swimming area that is coated with a thick layer of wavy sand. Turn towards the shoreline...the view of the dunes are insanely beautiful!
Loved the different trails to hike on. Your reward is a beautiful miles long beach that wasn’t very crowded. Water was too cold to swim in, but nice to wade in a bit.
Want to see a wonderful view of Lake Michigan and experience fun sand dunes? This is the ride. The ride is safe and even a bit thrilling for those who have experienced fast pace rides. But still perfect for families. The view is awesome and our driving was a lot of fun. He put a smile on all of our faces! The time allocated for the ride was just enough! It made us want to go to the State Park and hike the dunes. Great job.
It was raining on the weekend we visited Saugatuck so we decided to hike a bit in this state park. It was a great idea. The canopy of trees kept us pretty dry and the forest is beautiful You can hike about 1-2 miles to the beach, walk along the beach and hike 1-2 miles back to the parking lot. A nice hour long adventure.
The water was chilly but the beach was great. Not a lot of people when we were here which was great, more water for us.
We went for a couple of days in Saugatuck. One day we rode our bikes, climbed Mt. Baldy and hiked around down to Oval Beach. Very challenging terrain with the sand! Saw a lot of wildlife. Make sure to take bug spray!! We drenched ourselves in natural oil bug spray and ended up having to add a little DEET to make sure we didn't get eaten alive.
There is nothing not to love about walking through stands of tall pines that have dropped their needles onto the sand paths. It is peaceful and calm on these paths, but the sound of the lake let's you know that you are not lost. Yes, the path goes up and down, but take your time or use a walking stick to help yourself along. This park is a treasure.
It was just what I wanted it to be—beautiful, quiet, peaceful, and calming. I was in town for two days and one night and I visited the park both days. The trails were a more strenuous hike than I expected—I couldn’t find the most direct route because they are not well labeled and not all shown on the map, but I forgive the park for that* because the woods are beautiful and so are the dunes, the beach, and the lake. On the second day there I had a long stretch of the beach all to myself for a while. It was perfect.
*It would be great if the map were updated and the trail markers were clearer though.
We took the beach trail out to the water on a weekday afternoon. The park was not crowded at all and we hardly saw anyone on the walk out, which made it quite peaceful. The beach seems like the type where you can easily find a spot pretty secluded to relax.
The walk out to the beach isn't like flat sidewalk, but it isn't strenuous either. It is probably a little under a mile each way with some up/down hill, but it is a smooth and wide dirt path through the woods. My wife was 32 weeks pregnant at the time and she was fine going at a leisurely pace. We only had a water bottle, but a wagon or something similar would help if you are lugging out beach gear for the day.
There are bathrooms at the parking lot, and near the beach. These are typical rustic, state park bathrooms, FYI.
The reason I chose this beach is based on some reviews since I don't like to go to a crowed beach in this time of year. There're two trails nearby the parking lot : Beach Trail and North Trail. We chose the North Trail to star it and passed by a pond, woods, went up and down the dune, then we got to the beach. It's a quiet beach for a good view of Lake Michigan. Just beware there is no changing rooms except two vault toilets.
Absolutely beautiful. Reminded me of Hawaii. May sound odd, but the beach went on forever and it was so breathtaking. The breeze on a hot day. The surf. It was a spectacular experience. Saw deer when we hiked in. Hardwood trees everywhere. The air in the forest was refreshing. Hikers paradise! Hike, beach, swim, repeat. Can’t wait to come back. I suggest Deet around your pant legs and a tick check when done.
Beautiful state park, stopped here for a quick swim on the way home to the Chicago land area. 15 min hike in a pristine, quiet area, loved it. Not too crowded when we arrived either!
Worth the hike on the trail to the dunes and beach. The trails were in decent shape but could be challenging for families with little ones . Lots of bugs so bring the bug spray. But hey..that's part of summer!
We recently visited this beach because it was a very hot Sunday and we knew the other beaches would be packed. Thankfully we were able to get a parking spot and enjoyed the nature walk necessary to get to the beach. There were plenty of people there but space for our family as well and the beach was very clean. There are two parking areas - one that is free by the Fet Mansion but a longer walk and one that is a state park charge and shorter walk.
We decided last minute on our way of town from Grand Rapids to make a pit stop at the park. I am so glad we did - it ended up being our favorite part of the trip. There are multiple great hiking paths to the lake and through the dunes. All were beautiful and the lakefront was clean and fairly empty. Definitely worth the $8 donation to the parks and not too far off of the highway. Check it out!!
Trails are generally well-marked along the way, but if you are not able to find a map (and they seemed to be scarce at the trail entrances on the day we walked so we completed our first walk without one), you may find yourself veering off onto another trail as some of the trails overlap. One thing the map, if you can find one, is very good at identifying is the more difficult areas of the trail that usually involve an incline with loose sand. A few trails will give a view of the beach on the opposite end of the starting points. The beach front was not too wide, but neither was it very crowded. My friend and I are reasonably fit 50 year old women and we hiked three of the 2.5 mile trails. I would not recommend sandals for these climbs, just shake sand out of your shoes later. For us the entrance to the park was a bit annoying as the gate attendant was not there, so we filled out paper work, identifying our car, enclosing the $9 out of state fee in an envelope. One other family, involved in the process at the time we arrived, said they had to go to an ATM to get cash as there was no other way to pay without an attendant.
The trail from the parking lot to the beach is a beautiful hike through forested dunes. The terrain undulates, which may be a bit strenuous if you're carrying lots of beach paraphernalia. The journey is a delight however, because you're hiking through the shade of a pristine mixed hardwood and conifer forest. Just don't carry too much stuff and pack your sense of adventure. You'll be rewarded with a lovely stretch of beach at trail's end!
While the beach is an added attraction, we enjoyed the hiking on the different trails. Some of the ravines were amazing along with going thru different sections of trees (conifer, hardwood). Walking around the inland lake we focused on the different vegetation and had fun looking for frogs and turtles. The beach is nice, considering that along the lower section of Michigan any public access can be hard to find (along with parking). Bring your insect repellent if hiking, ticks are also a concern. State Park pass gets you in.
Being an out of state visitor, we didn't know what to expect. When you put it in the GPS, it drops you off at a parking lot with 2 port-a-johns, a map and some signs that say permit required so we were quite confused-- where were the dunes?!?! But you pay on the honor system- put cash in an envelope and park. (wish we would have saved the ticket on the envelope because we might have been able to get in to another beach if we had it later in the day). But we parked and walked about 15-20 minutes through the woods on one of the three paths marked-- THE BEACH PATH. After making our way through the woods, we came out at beautiful dunes and beautiful views. You can walk along the dunes and then take paths down to the shore. The sand is almost white and soft. The beaches are clean and you're able to walk quite a distance. Definitely worth it but you need to pack light-- the hike is not flat.
There are three 2.5 mile hikes and one 5.5 mile hikes. We did the beach hike and the sand was great at the beach and not a lot of people there. By the beach the kids hiked up a hill and found a large cement structure there and played on that, you can't see it from the beach. The hike is through the forest so covered and out of the sun. Use the restroom in the parking lot as there aren't any at the beach.
Nice surprise beach after the bald head stair climb. Beautiful hike.We totally enjoyed the walk by the beach and climb up the dunes. Sand was chill and weather was warm. Michigan never cease to amuse us.
First of all if you are looking to visit a state park and check out a beautiful small town, Saugatuck is the place for you! I went here in late fall and it was perfect weather to hike around. I will say it was a little difficult to navigate the trails since there are not much in terms of signs or markings. But well maintained and very pretty, it does have lots of hills so be warned in advance. There is also Mt. Baldhead near by if you are looking for a beautiful view of the downtown and Lake Michigan, just be prepared to climb hundreds of stairs straight up.
Get a permit by submitting an envelope with the $9 entrance fee from the post behind the unmanned shack at the entrance to the parking lot. It's a little confusing. There's a box for the envelopes and a stub to tear off to display in your vehicle. It was a nice walk through the woods to get to Lake Michigan. Some parts of the trails are a little difficult to walk as there is deep sand in some places. There is a nice trail system with well marked trails that you can walk as much or as little as you want and still get across the park to see Lake Michigan.
I'm sure that this beach and surrounding trails are wonderful, however we could not enjoy them! No rangers, or hired help anywhere. The Gate and parking lot were on the honor system-no employees in sight. One person in my party has limited walking ability and we could not find any signage describing the trail types/length-or even where the beach was! I had much higher expectation of a State Park...and hoped to enjoy it without wandering around a hoping to find the best path for my special needs.
We planned this trip last minute and did not do any research. Boy had I wished we did look up this park ahead of time. We had already walked most of the day, and wanted to lay on the beach and wade in the water. The park ranger taking our money said it was a 3/4 mile hike, (seemed longer.) we thought that had to be a joke. We walked, some of it up hill, we saw people carrying Coolers and all this gear, you want to keep it light, I am not out of shape, but it was hard to walk up hill in all that sand. Once we did get there, there was no place to buy water or even to change into a suit. Bathroom was an outhouse. It was lovely, but not what we were looking for in a beach. Just be aware.
Although the beach was lovely, we did not expect such a long hike to get there. Be sure to wear sensible shoes for the hike as it involves several large wooded dunes to cross over. Although we enjoyed the journey, some people would not enjoy the effort to get to the beach
I've been coming to the park for maybe 20+ years and this is the first time I saw cars parked for almost a half mile outside of the park. The attendants hut is never manned but was on this visit. They were collecting $9 for visitors without a pass.The beach was crowded. This is unusual as the beach is about a two mile hike up and down hills on a rough trail. I saw about 100 people in the water. This is a first in my life.
Beautiful views. Great hiking areas. We enjoyed our time watching the water. Climbing the small hills and walking along the wooded trails.
This is a great place! The trails are fantastic! What a great work out! When you get to the beach, the view is gorgeous. Be warned, you'll get some great exercise so I wouldn't advise bringing a back load of stuff with you or, a stroller. The trails are, well... trails...roots, sand, sticks, etc. I tripped a few times because I wasn't watching the ground.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a natural treasure. Nearly a half-mile of unspoiled Lake Michigan beach to see, stroll and sunbathe. But the only way to get there is to hike one of several trails, the shortest about a quarter-mile through the forested dunes. With the beach, these trails are the park's main attractions. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the on-site maps because many trails look alike once you're on them, and some wrong turns can take you a long way out of your way. Lots of steep uphill trekking so hiking footwear is recommended over flip-flops. Be sure and apply good insect repellent as ticks can be nasty, although staying on the trails minimizes the risk. Chigger or "sand flea" bites can be itchy for a long time, so spray your ankles for sure! And you won't want to be hauling a ton of kids equipment! Fires are not allowed and all trash must be carried out to keep the place unspoiled. No lifeguards, and they don't allow dogs on the beach. Always be aware of beach conditions and rip currents in windy weather. But make no mistake (sorry if I made it sound in any way unpleasant), the trip out to the beach is worth it. The scenery is spectacular in every season, both from various points on the many trails, and especially once you get out to the lake.
The "no park equipment" means no kids playground stuff and the like. This is absolutely a minimal-amenity, nature preserve-type place. About the only comforts are outhouses, and they're only in a couple of locations.
State Park parking/entrance fee applies during the summer season.
hiked the marked BEACH path to the lake. Everyone we spoke to said "it's not far"...forgetting that statement is relevant to hiking ability. IT's a tough walk through
a tough terrain, sand, roots and uphill. Of course Lake Michigan is always beautiful
so that's the prize awaiting you. When we get a map, it says the trail is 2.5 miles.
Very beautiful setting in forested land but again; a HARD walk.
Once Oval Beach is full head back towards town and take a right on the road you would normally take a left at to return to town. Head all the way to the lake and park along the street.
It's a narrow beach but plenty long. About 100 steps to get to the bottom.
This is a beautiful place, but not for anyone. You have a walk through the wood a ways, which is nice, but not everyone is up for a long walk. The beach is not usually crowded and is nice
I drove to Michigan from Ohio for these Dunes specifically. I needed an ocean view, but didn't have ocean time or money. This trip did not disappoint. There's a walk through a forest to get to the dunes and that is a beautiful experience unto itself. There is very cool plant life in there if you can catch it and we saw a family of deer, very close to us, on our way through. I also saw black squirrels for the first time in my life. So, forest creature features, totally worth it, but coming out of the woods and over the crest of those dunes to see the water for the first time - I could have cried it was so incredible. It is a beautiful beach. And very quiet on a weekend. That's one of the reasons I choose to visit Saugatuck Dunes. The shoreline is narrow - clean sand, good wave action - not surfing, but rocking. I felt as relaxed and lulled by waves and beach as I have in Mexico, Florida, England and California. It was just what I needed.
I understand it's a fabulous view if you can find your way back there. The signage was terrible, and we ended up turning around because we were unsure if we were even in the right place. There is a lot of money flowing into that economy, maybe spend a few bucks on a good map!
My husband organizes a group of our family and friends each fall for a hike. Saugatuck Dunes was the place this year, and 20 of us enjoyed an afternoon hike over the trail that took us through woods and over sand dunes. The children easily scampered up and down dunes terrain that was challenging for us adults. Hikers may choose the fairly easy trail to the lake shore or opt for longer and more physically arduous travel. Since my husband has led Sierra Club groups on a pathway less traveled and unmapped, our group enjoyed a route that winds around blowouts and ends atop a huge dune. The reward--an amazingly beautiful view of Lake Michigan and fun descending to the shore. It's awesome, but wear hiking footwear, not sandals, and take your own water. There are pit toilets and picnic tables at the parking area, but there's certainly no concessions...so go prepared!
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is lovely. There are several hiking trails and nice beach!
The shortest and easiest trail is the Beach Trail which is mainly through the woods to the beach. It is well marked from the parking lot area. We have also hiked the North trail, which is longer and more difficult with more hiking through sand dunes, but you can also reach the beach from that trail. Outhouses are located in the parking lot/picnic area only.
We did the beach trail. So much fun. Very nice trail for all levels of fitness. And the bonus of the beach at the end was fabulous. Loved it.
We drove to the Saugatuck / Holland area, looking to spend time on Lake Michigan. We did not know what to expect at the Saugatuck State Park, but when we got there, the parking area was pretty full, we were not sure what trail to walk but we picked, I believe the 2 mile one, not the one going directly to the beach - I think that was .6 - I did not want to be over crowded - the 2 mile walk was worth it - when we got to Lake Michigan there were very few people down there and we got to spend time in the water and enjoying the view / water / sand - I would recommend the Saugatuck State Park and yes, its worth the walk if you are just going to enjoy the water and the view. Again we did the 2 mile walk to the water and not the beach trail. Have a safe / good trip if you go.
Wonderful hike through forested dunes to a beautiful beach with an area designated for dogs. Several other hiking trails. 11 out of 10!!
Very lovely beach with few amenities. The trek there and back from the parking lot is not for the faint of heart.
After a long walk to the beach we enjoyed a scenic and quiet stay at the beach. There are clean outhouse type facilities. The view is wonderful. Assume due to the walk it never gets crowded.
The park is beautiful. You walk about a mile to the beach of Lake Michigan through the woods. When you get to the beach it is expansive, beautiful and the perfect sand. The dunes are like no other place in the world.
During a weekend visit to Saugatuck, we wanted to do some hiking. We stopped at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. There are three main hiking loops – the North, Beach, and South Loop trails. We opt to hike the North Trail to the beach at Lake Michigan. The trail is well marked and a pleasant walk through the forest. A short time later we arrive at the beach. We did not stay at the beach because the wind was making it too cold to linger here for very long in this open area. We were here on a late afternoon in mid-April. There were a few other cars and hikers but we found plenty of solitude. We look forward to returning and exploring the other hiking trails.
My sister and I were in Saugatuck for a long weekend, and one of our to-dos was to check out the dunes (we're big fans of the Indiana Dunes ;-D ). We drive to the parking lot and headed for the trail. Ultimately, we took the long way - we saw a sign when we got back to the car that said "shortest way to beach", d'oh! But the hike through the woods was really nice, the tall trees very impressive, and once the dunes and beach were on the horizon, we were duly impressed. We headed downhill to the beach (which was gorgeous), and set down our blanket. The beach itself was really clean, and it wasn't crowded. The one thing that made it less than perfect was the presence of these weird flying bugs that flocked to our area, and started biting us. I swear we were the only ones they were bothering, and we must've looked nuts for squealing and swatting every time they bit us. We moved a couple times, they followed us, and when we were packing up, we realized they were drawn to a white plastic bag we had with us. Argh! In any case, we'd definitely visit again, but leave the plastic bag behind (and maybe bring one of those Off! clip ons...). The hike through the woods (whichever trail you take) is beautiful, not strenuous, and the dunes and beach are wonderful.
I loved that place. Several different hike paths...2.5 mile round trip. We hiked Beach trail and later spend some time on the beach which was fabulous, clean, and less crowded (late morning).
Our family loves hiking and the beach, so this was the best of both worlds. To access the beach, one needs to take an easy to moderate hike that took our family about 15 minutes. Once we arrived at the beach, we found that it was by far the least busy beach we visited in West Michigan (we also visited Oval Beach, South Haven South Beach, Holland, and Grand Haven)
Well worth the MILE walk through the trails of the dunes to get to the beach. I would definitely bring a wagon to carry chairs, towels, etc. The beach is long but narrow and the sand is very clean and soft like sugar. Must see!
Beautiful Beach and surrounding area! To enter the State Park, there is a $10 fee for non-residents for the day. It is collected at the gate via an honor system. We arrived around 10:00am and parking was not an issue. When we left just after noon, it seemed to be packed. Be aware, from the car to the beach, it is a little over 3/4 mile hike. The path leads through a beautiful wooded area, but it does have some up and down hill to it. We just had ourselves and some towels, so it was nice for us. However, the Park and Beach are dog friendly, and we had our senior dog Watson with us. He made it like a champ, but if it was a hotter day (only 70 degrees when we went), the hike might have been too much for him. Once you reach the beach, it is clean and beautiful. Even as more people arrived, we did not feel too crowded and very much enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing morning. However, there is not much in the way of restroom facilities once past the parking lot.
Nice secluded beach, but probably not a beach you would take small children if you need to carry a lot of items because it's a hike to the beach. Picnic area. I didn't see a whole lot to do with small children and the restrooms are rustic my reason for 4 instead of 5 stars. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
I spent a couple of hours here with my daughter and her family. The trail to the beach is fairly easy. The beach is beautiful/ I am sure there is more to see in this park and maybe someday I will have the privilege of seeing more of it.
Great place to hike trail to beach along Lake Michigan. We would recommend bringing bug spray and where a hat, it is very woodsy and buggy until you get to the beach.
My parents took me and my brother here when we were little. I wanted to try it out as an adult. Usually things are not as good when you are an adult. This was an exception! I enjoyed it much more as an adult. The lodging and the Mt Baldhead and the beach were great!
We happened to see signs for this park on the freeway and decided to take a peek. You will NOT be disappointed. The walk through the woods is peaceful and relaxing. It did require some effort to climb a few hills and I would not recommend it for the disabled and the elderly. Once we reached the opening to Lake Michigan, the view was just gorgeous. This is definitely a place we will visit again!
We hiked up over the dunes through a beautiful forest and in about 20 minutes, ended up with an incredible view of Lake Michigan in front of us!! There was a beach there that was not crowded at all. Wish we could have spent more time there. We recommended this place to several of our family members and they all also loved it!! One of the highlights of our trip.
Walked the North Trail. 2.5 miles. Trail was well marked. Ends a top dune overlooking Lake Michigan. Ample parking. Visited in October so there was no one manning booth at entrance. Sign said if you don't have a recreation pass, you are to pay fees and leave in envelope based on honor system.
It is quite the hike in and out, but worth it if you are up to it. Wooded paths are well maintained and peaceful. It's rarely crowded during the week, but gets a little more crowded when oval beach is full. Facilities are "rustic". Bring water for the hike.
The trail from the parking lot to the lake is fairly friendly if you are older or are a family with younger kids. I believe it is about a half mile, but I haven't checked in awhile. You can easily find that out before going if distance is a problem. The trail is completely through the woods, with tall mature trees, and very little grasses or small bushes to attract the Mosquitos. However, they can be there in force, depending on the time of year and how dry or wet the season is. The trail is up and down a bit with fairly firm soil, but for the very young kids or older seniors it might be a little long or rough. I am 68 and it is easy for me, with no knee or foot issues. There are many trails throughout the park if you are an avid hiker, but I have not been on them. Once you get to the beach, it is gorgeous! You can walk either north or south for quite some time before leaving state property. Swimming is allowed but there are no caution bouys or lifeguards. Caution, there is a pit toilet just before the beach and one in the parking area. They keep them quite clean but plan ahead if you dislike pit toilets.
Yes, you have to walk a bit in the sand to get here, but it's so worth it! Beautiful beach, gorgeous scenery of the dunes. Bring your camera! It's the perfect spot for the couple or family who wants to spend the day at the beach without massive crowds.
Loved this place! What an awesome view and the beach is HUGE! My only warning is to come prepared. My husband and I didn't know there was a long hike to get to the beach (about 15 or 20 mins) I've never had to work so hard to get to a beach. Unfortunately, my sandal broke on the return hike & it was no fun trekking through the woods barefoot. Had I been aware of the hike I would have been better prepared. Nevertheless, the beach was worth the aggravation--broken sandal and all.
Fun hike in the woods that lead to the sand dunes. There’s a trail that will take you right down to the lake. It’s fairly flat and improved surface so most people can take advantage of this access to see the lake and dunes. I chose the trails through the woods and adventures on some of the non-marked trails that are in the network. These lead to the tops of the dunes where you can get a great view of the lake and dune ecosystem from above. Then there’s a trail that will lead you down the sand dunes out through the grassy area right to the water. Be sure to wear proper footwear for this hike as you have dirt, sand, mud, water and more to work through. I wore running shoes and was fine, just had to avoid the water in the low areas and after trudging through sand, I had to stop and dump my shoes out.
Enjoyed the hike over wooded sand dunes to get to the beach. Not as easily accessible as some beaches in the area, like Oval Beach, but that contributes to it's charm.
We were headed back to Chicago, destination Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore -- but began running out of time and daylight. So we settled for the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. It was not a settling! We parked and found short trails through a lovely hardwood forest (mostly), which wound their way to dunes with great views of the lake, then the beach and lake itself. We spent an hour here exploring, but could have spent much, much more -- as in an entire weekend.
Tip: There were not so many folks here close to sunset on a Monday in winter, but a lot more then we expected. I think this place would be quite crowded come summer.
OMG I thought I'd have a heart attack. It was at least a mile to the beach from the parking lot. NO bathrooms along the way, very steep return climb. don't recommend it unless you're in top shape.
Our teens said the trails here are great, and they can't wait to go back. And we'll definitely join them next time. But, make sure you're in decent shape, because they said that once you get to the beach, it's a fairly steep descent and climb to get back up, so be careful! I'm not even sure I can do it due to my knees.
Popular Attraction Reviews
It threw me that the address listed is Ottawa beach Drive which is to Holland State park, not Saugatuck State park... I think something got mixed up somewhere... Anyway, I've gone to Saugatuck State park only twice and hiked the half mile through hills and woods to the beach! You find the beach not over crowded because not too many people want to hike that far to the beach! But just like another review mentioned, this is a basic, primitive beach, no concession stands, no bathrooms... But in my humble opinion well worth the hike!