Best Hiking Trails Near Saugatuck, Michigan
One of the best parts about visiting Michigan is experiencing its stunning nature. It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit - each season offers its own majestic beauty. People come from all over the country to immerse themselves in the gorgeous nature Michigan has to offer. There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors here, but one of our favorites is going hiking. Lace up your sneakers, pack a lunch, and fill up your water bottle, because it’s time to get your steps in! Here are three of our favorite hiking trails in and around Saugatuck, Michigan.
Livingston Trail Loop and Beach Trail in Saugatuck Dunes State Park. We absolutely love this State Park and the trails within it. We recommend that you begin the hike at the Felt Mansion, and hike the Livingston Trail Loop. This trail is 2.3 miles long, and takes an average of about an hour to complete. You’ll go out and back from the lake, and then you’ll connect with the Beach Trail- which is a little bit over 1.5 miles. By hiking these two trails, you will get to see the amazing dunes, beautiful ravines, and of course stunning views of Lake Michigan. If you’re lucky, you’ll get some views of wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife. There are two parking lots, one by the Felt Mansion, which has no charge for parking, and one at The Saugatuck Dunes State Park, where you’ll need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter the park in your vehicle(or pay $10/ vehicle) - but those entering on foot or bicycle are not required to show theirs. Our personal favorite is to hike the Livingston Trail to the beach, plop down on the sand for the afternoon and hike back. Because this trail is a bit more difficult than the normal Beach Trail, it detours visitors from landing on this beach which is fabulous if you’re looking for a bit more seclusion. This beach definitely feels like a more locals spot to hang. Don’t forget your picnic basket and beach blanket, you will want to lounge here all day!
2. Tallmadge Woods and Crows Nest. This gorgeous trail hovers over the Kalamazoo River and takes you on a loop overlooking Oxbow Lagoon and Lake Michigan. You will park at the entrance to Mt. Baldhead, and then you’ll walk down the private road past beautiful lakefront homes to the trailhead. You’ll start on a low path that passes close to the Ox-Bow School of the Art. The trail gradually rises to a peak called the Crows Nest which overlooks Oxbow Lagoon and Lake Michigan, the view is guaranteed to take your breath away! On the way back, you will follow a ridge high above the river where you’ll see boats coming in from Lake Michigan and eventually get a nice view of Downtown Saugatuck. This hike is 2.6 miles long, and should take you about an hour to complete. It is rated as easy on Alltrails so this one is good for the whole family. Make sure to stay on the designated trails, because this area is surrounded by private property.
3. Mount Baldhead and Oval Beach Loop. This hike is not for the faint of heart, as it is quite challenging and will get your heartrate up! Though pretty short in distance at 1 mile, it starts off with a steep stair climb. You’ll climb the 303 steps to the top of Mount Baldhead before descending down a pillowy dune onto the coastal sand at Oval Beach. Don’t worry there are little “break benches” as you make your climb to the top. Depending on how much you break, this trail should take you about 40 minutes to complete. The best time to hike this trail is between June - September. Just a head’s up, dogs are not allowed on this trail, so it’s best to leave them at home.
