Be warned - scenic beaches next to historic landmarks coupled with a campground within a state park on a summer afternoon, can be a handful. And the Grand Haven State Park is all that. The state park/beach is right next to the campground, which also accepts RVs so parking here can be tricky in summer --- which is when we visited. Plus there is a fee. The lighthouse/pier is very cool, but it is a bit of a hike from the campground. The two lighthouses - the tall one is the Inner, and the short one is the Outer - are right on the channel with water on either side, so it's a very nice walk, next to a steel framework in the middle, to the end of the pier, with good photo ops along the way. If you're lucky you may find free parking on the street for a short time period (1-3 hrs). read more

Grand Haven State Park - Other angle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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This is definitely not my favorite state park or Lake Michigan Beach to visit. Not only is it always extremely crowded and busy, the beach parking lot shares the same space with the campground, making it even busier. It is a really nice pier walk if you come all the way from the channel. But as far as the beach goes, the sand is really awful. There are a lot of rocks and shells and other junk mixed in with the sand that does not make it enjoyable or comfortable, or easy to walk in. There are plenty of other beaches to go to in the area that are nicer and less crowded. read more

What a beautiful lighthouse! The parking was okay; we visited during fall. I'm pretty sure it's packed during summer. If you want to relax and explore Grand Haven, don't forget to check out this state park. read more

everything here is gorgeous! if you love the lake and beach, it's the PERFECT combo absolutely perfect vacay spot for young families, and every age for that matter! there is plenty to do! everywhere around here is in walking distance with everything!! also the sunsets here are to die for, so beautiful read more

Wow! I grew up on the west coast - this place is so beautiful. First time here. There were even a few food trucks. read more

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Lighthouses are cool, historic and are always at the top of our list while visiting a coastal city but a word of caution, this one is not as accessible as others and will give you a bit of a headache. 1) The lighthouse is located inside a state park and campground. You have to pay to enter the park in order to get to it. So if you're just coming to "see it, and snap a pic real quick" that's not going to happen here. 2) Right now the lighthouse pier is getting rebuilt and you can't get to it. It seems this has been in the works for a while now, and doesn't really have an end date in sight. You can stand at the shore of the beach and see it but I think the fun is all in the details. 3) It's pretty much just the lighthouse. We visited other ones where you could go up in it, visit murals dedicated to the lighthouse, walk around the welcome centers to learn about the history etc. This doesn't appear to have anything like that. Still cool, but there are a lot of other lighthouses in Michigan - just be advised the date on this review while planning your trip. read more

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I love all things lighthouses from their beauty and what they symbolize. When an area has a lighthouse, it is always on my list to visit especially if there is a pier to walk on. I had a photo taken here when visiting with my family a few years ago and had it turned into notecards read more

Two lighthouses in one place Grand Haven Lighthouse is actually two lighthouses connected by a 1,100 feet pier. It's one of the most famous and photographed lights in the country and it's easy to see why. The view and the experience of walking out to the end of the pier is absolutely spectacular. The lights and pier were built in 1905 although the outer light was actually a fog building near shore that was moved to it's present location at the end of the pier when the inner light was built. A fascinating feature about the outer light is the shape of its bow. Of course it's not a real bow but the front of the light has a configuration similar to a bow of a ship and for the same reason; to resist the pounding of the waves. The earliest light was first built here in 1839 and only lasted 13 years before the lake hammered in into oblivion. The builders of the present lights apparently learned their lessons. The two lights are connected by a raised walkway that made getting to the outer light possible in heavy weather, although I suspect the walk was somewhat exciting during bad storms . People can still walk the 1,100 feet to the end of the outer light but cannot actually go into either building. Just walking out that far out into Lake Michigan is quite an invigorating experience. The lighthouses are near Grand Haven State Park, a more than 50 acre recreation area of beautiful beaches and deep woods. A beautiful place to spend some time. Nearby is one of the largest musical fountains and although I have never actually seen the thing do whatever it is it does, it certainly sounds interesting. Two cool lights, great beaches, lots of woods, tons of history and even a huge fountain that sings or does something musical. A very, very special place. read more

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a must see if you are in the area. It is next to the GH State Park (which has almost NO trees at all, let alone any woods). It is actually owned now by the City of Grand Haven, with the Lighthouse Conservation currently cleaning the insides & outsides to accommodate tours. It is a great place to stroll, but definitely NOT if the waves are high, as many have been lost here. Great place to fish, watch scantily clad summer visitors from the adjacent beach, watch very stupid people dive off it, and without a doubt it is the best place in Michigan to watch a sunset. read more

Grand Haven State Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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Beautiful lighthouse that somehow the sun always manages to set just behind, creating a truly breathtaking view. Great family beach and an amazing walk along the pier. All kinds of boats from massive to small, paddle boarders, kayakers, and even guys diving for fish. Sit, watch and enjoy! read more

Grand Haven State Park - Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

One of the best looking lighthouses I have seen. The bright red makes for beautiful pictures against the water. Walk all the way out to the edge on a calm day and enjoy the sunset! read more

Beautiful place when it's not under construction. They recently had two drowndings here so they had to build it up with railings I assume. The beach that is connected to it is also wonderful. If you are in Grand Haven this is the sunset spot! Get here and check it out! read more

Grand Haven State Park - Rebuilding the walkway - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

We visited on a June evening, when sunset is late, and the show starts at 10:10 PM. When we arrived at 9:50 or so, the parking lot next to the bleachers was filling up, but we still found a spot. The bleachers were fine, because I remembered to bring a cushion. Therese H. remembered to bring a couple blankets, which were helpful, as it was chilly this particular evening. The show itself was fine, a pleasant variety of music, and an interesting series of patterns produced by the fountain. I imagine it would like a little more dramatic from the perspective of a boater, but even viewed from the bleachers across the river, it was plenty entertaining for the kids around us. I can barely sit through most TV shows, but this was 20 minutes, and it didn't seem long enough. There are donation boxes by the gates, and the announcer voice encouraged us to support the show on the way out. read more

Beautiful lighthouse with a great view of boats coming & going read more

Grand Haven State Park - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Such a beautiful place for meditation and grounding w nature! So happy I moved to this area!

I'm going with four stars because you can't actually go inside and look out from the top. If you could, five stars. How cool would that be? Still, it's worth walking out on the pier to see it and get some exercise. And it's really cool when it's foogy out. I would NOT take kids out on it if the water's at all choppy. If someone fell in, which isn't hard to imagine (there are no railings), it would not be easy to get them out. read more

The potential is there but there was construction going on and partly closed. But you gotta understand eventually maintenance does need to be done. Maybe when I come up next year it'll be open. read more

Walk to the end of the pier and back...people watching and taking pictures to your heart's content. If you're in Grand Haven, it's a must do... read more

Nice place for a leisure walk on a calm day. Bring your fishing pole and spend the afternoon on the pier. read more

A trip to Grand Haven is not complete without a walk out the lighthouse. At the end of the pier, there are often people fishing and nice breezes. It is always very peaceful. read more

Cant come to Grand Haven and not stop here! such a great view of the coast and lake Michigan! great pic op!

Went here over the summer with my family and enjoyed every second. The lighthouses are so cool. The view is beautiful. Its so cool to watch the boats pass by and look around the beach. Can not wait to visit again. read more

Continuing your trip in Michigan, you will notice that almost every where you look there is a light house. You can park your car, take a walk on the pier to the light house and get a view of the lake that gives you a spectacular view at Lake Michigan. You will see boaters, fishing etc. by locals and visitors. New Buffalo has a lighthouse as well. In New Buffalo you will see sail boats and speed boats heading out from the harbor. Take the time to sit and enjoy the boats as they make their way thru the harbor and into the lake waters. In most cases when the winds are blowing do not venture out on the pier as the waves can do a number on you. We stayed at a B & B for the evening. Another review in the making. read more