North Swan Creek Trail Loop

Crows Nest Loop is a quiet hike on publicly accessible land. It takes you along dunes that hover above the Kalamazoo River. The loop leads you to an overlook with views of Ox-Bow Lagoon and Lake Michigan. This loop is suitable for all levels and is about a 2.1 mile hike.  The trailhead can be tricky to find. The trailhead entrance is at the end of Park Street in Saugatuck just before Ox-Bow Sc...

Laketown Park is located between Saugatuck and Holland Michigan. The parking lot is at the end of 142nd Ave, and is directly next to the stairs that take you up and over the dunes to the beach. There are no official restrooms here, but there is a small pit toilet.It takes about 5-15 minutes to climb the stairs to the top of the dune (depending on your fitness level) where there is a stunning vi...

Each year in May this festival is held all across Holland, Michigan, with schedules of attractions, flowerbed locations, and additional information found at the Tulip Time website. It is well known internationally and has been awarded Best Flower Festival, America’s Best Small Town Festival, and the 2017 – 2018 Tulip Festival of the Year.  If you're familiar with tulips you know that some bloom...

Windmill Island features an authentic and operational Dutch windmill called "De Zwaan" (The Swan) as well as gardens planted with over 100,000 tulips. The windmill was built in 1761 and moved to Holland in 1964. Notably, this windmill is not only the oldest authentic, working Dutch windmill in the United States, but it is also the last windmill to ever have left the Netherlands.  Begin your tri...

Feel the burn in your calves and thighs! If you don't feel it, pick up the pace or do it all again! The good news is it is actually just a large dune, not an entire mountain. It should not take you very long to run, even though there are over 200 steps here. Every 25th stair is marked and there are benches kindly placed on the way up and at the top. There is free parking at 2280 Ottawa Beach Rd...

Holland State Park has a variety of activities available, the most prominent of course being swimming and relaxing on the beach. You can lay out towels and sunbathe, throw a frisbee or football in the large sand area away from the water, or play sand volleyball on one of the many courts. There is also a basketball court and a few good trees to set up hammocks. When the conditions are right I've...