We have visited this waterfront park several times over the last few years with its perfect…read morelocation a few blocks away from the coffee shop and the heart of the action in downtown Saugatuck. The space features a few public art installations (charming murals for photos) and plenty of benches and a gazebo. I also appreciate that there is plentiful shade in this park. It's the perfect way to blow off some steam in between shops and strolling from restaurant to restaurant in the heart of the village.

Waterfront park in Saugatuck. Small pavilion with two picnic tables, nice lawn, view of the marina…read more Nice park to eat a sandwich or just let the kids run in the lawn.

Hiking to the beach is much more satisfying than driving next to it. First about parking, since it…read moreis a state park, you need to have a state park pass or you can buy it at the gate. There are 4 trails, north trail about 1.25mi (one way), not too bad. The trail will turn away some families so it is more private. Not too many people even in the summer.

If you like walking trails the Saugatuck Dunes Park is a great place to do so. The trails are easy…read morewith a few hills here and there. A lot of nature that's been undisturbed. The trail leads to lake michigan.

Mount Baldhead Park is connect to Oval Beach. If you want to go to Oval Beach, there are other…read morepaths too 303 wooden steps up 250 feet to the top of the Mt. Baldhead dune. Very challenging indeed especially in the summer. There are some shades along the staircase and breakpoint. Once you get on top to the observation platform, you can get a nice view of the Kalamazoo river bend. Come here early because parking lot is small. After lunch, people swamp in and police have to close the street.

Free activity that is an amazing workout. 600 or so steps round trip. Stop at the museum/store to…read morelearn about the history of the area.

A great park for a small town...I like to go there and relax and just people watch...Kids love the…read moresplash pad..

Great park for the summer for kids of all ages. There's a splash pad area right next to the…read moreplayground! Many other splash pad parks I've been to have the water area far from the rest of the facilities and it's a pain to go all over! This has fun equipment for kids young and old. Also there is a tennis court, picnic tables, and plenty of pavilions. Would be a great place for a birthday party. Free WiFi is available, dressing rooms to change, two unisex bathrooms, and a water fountain.

I always adore Michigan's state parks. And Holland's holds its own. Huge sandy beach to plunk down…read moreyour towel and take a dip in the Big Lake. Lots of walkable space, too, for beachcombing or watching boats cruise through the channel. Excellent views of Holland's famous "Big Red" lighthouse. Camping available, too. Sand seems more littered these days with washed up debris. On busy days Ottawa Beach Road backs up for miles. For the best chance to avoid traffic arrive super early or wait until late afternoon when the families have headed home. No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk. Motor vehicle permit required.

We stayed at the beach campground. It's a paved parking lot with hookups. The spots are relatively…read morelarge and we went with full hookups. The bathhouse was nice and quite clean. Several individual private showers were a nice touch. It's a short walk to the water and public beaches. Open air fires are not permitted which is a disappointment but they do allow covered elevated fire pits if you want to carry such a thing when going camping. One thing I do not like is the open access to the camping area. Anyone accessing the public beaches can drive right into the camping area. I prefer more secure situations such as gate access.

This is a beautiful and sacred space: a place for all of us to honor and reflect on the cost of…read morewar. It is also a very healing space for anyone going through a loss or grief. The experience for me was overwhelming. Please remember to honor the sacredness of the space and park carefully and follow the requests to not walk in the poppy field. It is a truly incredible experience. I think this is such a gift to their son and the whole community. What a beautiful idea.

I got goosebumps at first glimpse of this beautiful memorial park on a 92° day…read more I've been reading quite a bit about this beautiful, 4 acre property that local blueberry farm owners had turned into a gigantic poppy garden in honor of their son, an Afghanistan war veteran who committed suicide after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. I think it's so important to acknowledge the importance of mental health, the stigma against mental health disorders, and the difficulty in finding treatment and peace. I have also lost loved ones to suicide, and my heart so deeply goes out to the family who put together this incredible tribute. This gigantic, beautiful field of poppies and other wildflowers will certainly be an ephemeral beauty, so be sure to visit before July as it is currently at peak bloom. Whatever you do, do not walk on nor pick the flowers. There are a few small paths that lead 5 to 10 ft into the field, so you can capture some beautiful photos without disturbing any of the flowers. Visitors can park along the road, or at the far side of the neighboring cemetery, but of course be sure to be mindful of those visiting the graves of loved ones.

We've been on the hunt for some dog-friendly activities in West Michigan, and our time at Kirk Park…read morewas everything we hoped for! The dog beach is about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, and the trail is very well marked. The weather was great, so there were lots of dogs there enjoying the water. There are changing facilities and restrooms available near the parking lot, but not on the beach, so keep that in mind. We're looking forward to enjoying the water with our golden retriever again soon!

Dog-friendly section of beach? Check Sand dune trails? Check…read moreWell-maintained bathroom facilities? Check Beautiful views of Lake Michigan both high and low? Check This is *the* beach spot for you and your canine.

What an amazing park. I'd say it's a hidden gem but lots of people hang out here & parking can be…read morehard to find on a nice day! The water is shallow so it's much warmer than most Michigan beaches and you can enjoy the water. It's clean and everyone tends to pick up after themselves. There's a great playground next to the parking lot but be prepared for some extensive stairs on your way down to the beach. If needed, there are built in benches along the way. But don't be like some people we saw trying to carry wagons full of beach items lol

I have two yellow labs who love to swim and it's hard to find places for the them to go swimming…read more We tried it out, perfect place to go. Be careful though a lot of steps to the water. Definitely worth it.