There is a trail in western Michigan that rewards hikers with woods, sandy ridges, and a wide stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline at the end. The beach isn’t crowded or commercialized, and reaching it takes a bit of effort, which is exactly what makes it special.
I hiked the Saugatuck Dunes North Outer Loop Beach Trail on a warm summer morning and quickly understood why it holds a near-perfect 4.9-star rating from visitors. Keep reading, because this hike is well worth the trip.
Where the Trail Begins: Location and Access
The trailhead for the Saugatuck Dunes North Outer Loop Beach Trail is found within Saugatuck Dunes State Park, located at Holland, MI 49423, in Ottawa County along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
To get there, you follow Blue Star Highway north of the town of Saugatuck, turn west onto 64th Street, and follow the signs into the park. The drive through the surrounding area is already scenic, with farmland and forest lining the roads on both sides…