You will find Holland, Mi, on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the five Great Lakes. Holland Michigan has a lot to offer, but one of its best attributes is its spectacular beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches of Holland provide a range of activities, whether you wish to lounge in a beach chair soaking up some sun, climb the spectacular dunes, or take a dip in the clear blue waters. All you should consider now is which of Holland’s beaches are the best to visit and why.
Holland, Michigan, has some exceptional beaches, but the best include Holland State Park Beaches, Tunnel Park, Laketown Beach, Kirk Park Beach, and Riley Beach. Although outside Holland, Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach, Oval Beach, Windsnest State Park Beach, and Olive Shores Park are also lovely.
Whether you seek a small secluded beach, an expansive state park, or a place to take your dog for a walk on the sand, Holland has something to offer you. Before you decide which beach you should visit, it would be best to do a little research to find out what their best attributes are. This way, when planning your beach trip, you can select the right spot for you, your friends, and your family.
5 Of The Best Beaches In Holland, Mi
There are several beautiful beaches in Holland, Michigan, and they all have unique characteristics which ensure that they are the best that Holland offers. Whether it’s due to their vast expanses, spectacular dunes that provide dramatic views, or family-friendly amenities, these beaches will provide you with a fun water experience.
Before you decide which beach you should visit, you might want to know what gives each of these beaches their edge and why they made it onto this list. Let’s look at some relevant information on the five best Holland beaches.
1. Holland State Park Beaches
Holland State Park is frequently visited as it boasts not one but two spectacular beaches. If you feel like a day spent on a sugar-sand beach, the beach along Lake Michigan is the place for you. It is perfect for a day spent building sandcastles, playing volleyball, surfing, sunbathing, or relaxing.
With its beautiful views of the channel and the Big Red Lighthouse, this beach also sports a wonderful children’s playground, which has a rubberized surface and is perfect for all levels of mobility. A beachside café and shop offer you all the necessities you might need for a fun-filled day at the beach.
If you feel like a bit of peace while enjoying a swim in tranquil waters, then the beach on the Lake Macatawa side is the better option. This beach is the perfect choice for families who wish to include their furry dog companions on their day out, as the beach sports a designated section where dogs are allowed.
You have the option of renting a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak from the Macatawa Boat House if you want some water fun. Whether you wish to chill on the sand, take a swim, or enjoy some family or friend time, this is the beach for you.
Visiting these beaches requires purchasing a Recreational Passport or a day pass. Other amenities in the vicinity include a boat launch, modern restrooms, changing areas, camping, and fishing.
2. Tunnel Park
This beautiful beach area gets its name from the concrete tunnel that cuts through a spectacular dune providing visitors with access to Lake Michigan. The park comprises 22 acres and an extensive portion of the Lake Michigan beachfront. The beautiful white sand of this beach provides the perfect backdrop for a day of fun sunbathing, swimming, picnicking, and beach time.
An array of other amenities makes this smaller beach one you shouldn’t miss. These include a volleyball court, separate picnic areas with grills, modern restrooms, and a lovely children’s playground. There is also a dune climb that is a favorite amongst the children. However, the adults can use the stairs to get them up the dune. The hike is worth it for the spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
When visiting this beach, it would be best to remember that there are no lifeguards on duty here, and you will be swimming at your own risk. As Tunnel Park forms part of the Ottawa County Parks system, a day pass fee is required for parked vehicles from 1st April through 31st October.
3. Laketown Beach
Laketown Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of the Lake while enjoying the sandy beachfront of Lake Michigan. If you feel like a quieter beach visit, then Laketown Beach in Laketown Park is the place for you.
The beach has a more laid-back vibe to it, and fewer people frequent this beach due to its position. To access this beach, you must drive to the end of a dead-end road and climb the steep wooden staircase to the top of the dune and down the other side. It is a bit of a strenuous trek to get to this beach, which makes it less of a family option as children might find the walk to the beach hard and tire.
The top of the dune offers spectacular views, so visitors have dubbed it one of the best spots for sunset viewing. Parking for this beach is free but limited, so if you plan to visit, you might want to get there early. There are also no amenities at this beach, which means no restrooms and limited cell reception.
Laketown Beach makes up for its shortfalls by providing visitors with a pristine beachfront and clean water. Once you get to the small beach, you can lay down your towel and relax, enjoying the sounds of the water, the sunlight, and the fantastic views.
4. Kirk Park Beach
If you head a few miles north of Holland, you will find Kirk Park Beach, a local favorite. One of the best aspects about this beach is that your dogs are welcome to accompany you for a visit, swim, or run along the beautiful clean sand. Many locals favor this beach for their early morning jogs with their furry companions.
The beach is backed by wooded dunes and high bluffs, with nature trails made of wooden paths and stairways that wind through the wooded dunes and offer magnificent views of Lake Michigan. A paved path leads to a deck with beautiful views of the Lake.
The beach offers 1/3 miles of beautiful white sand, perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, and beach walks. You can keep your dogs off their leashes on this beach.
The beach offers a range of other amenities, including modern restrooms, a horseshoe pit, a handicapped accessible trail loop, and an excellent play area for children. There are also picnic areas with built-in grills at one of the shelters. There is also ample parking space, although you will need to pay a small fee to park there.
5. Riley Beach
Riley Beach is another local favorite. It is a small, less traveled, quiet beach in Holland. The walk to the beach is slightly strenuous as you need to hike up a relatively steep dune to get there, but this adds to its charm and off-the-beaten-path nature.
Riley Beach is perfect for a more relaxed day of sunning and swimming. The water at this beach is a bit deeper than other beaches in the area, so it’s best to remember this when taking a dip in the clear waters. With fewer people around, you might get lucky and be able to catch some of the freshwater surfers doing their thing, enjoying the waves and the deep water.
Riley Beach has carry-in boat access, which is perfect for canoeing or kayaking. One bonus is a convenient parking area close to the beach. As this is a smaller, less visited beach, you won’t find any restrooms or picnic areas.
4 Great Beaches Outside Of Holland
Even though Holland has some fantastic beaches close to the town center, some lovely beaches within a short distance of Halland deserve mention, especially if you are willing to do a little traveling. Four are excellent choices and are within a 30-minute radius of Holland.
1. Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Just twelve miles south of Holland, you will find Saugatuck Dunes State Park with its 2.5 miles of beautiful shoreline, including a secluded beach and spectacular towering dunes. The dunes reach up to 200 feet tall in some places. The Saugatuck Dunes State Park is open daily, closes in the evening, and offers a fabulous spot for swimming and sunbathing.
The beach is a 0.6-mile hike from the picnic area. You can take one of four trails that lead to the beach and offer you a bit of a walk where you might see some of the area’s wildlife on the way. These trails are popular with bird watchers and hikers looking for some exploration.
2. Oval Beach
Situated just outside the town of Saugatuck, Oval Beach has been rated one of the top 25 beaches in the world. It has the perfect combination of seclusion, white beach sand, pristine dunes, and services to make it the ideal spot for a beach visit. You don’t have to drive far from Holland, as Oval Beach is only 15 miles away.
If you seek a beautiful beach excursion, you won’t go wrong with Oval Beach. Whether you seek a place to lay down your towel and take in some rays or wish for a refreshing dip in the clear waters, this beach will not disappoint.
Oval Beach has a range of amenities that add to its perfection, including a concession stand, a children’s playground, picnic tables, and showers.
3. Windsnest State Park
You will find Windsnest State Park in West Olive, 16 miles away from Holland. This beach provides the perfect getaway if you want to enjoy the sun, sands, and water without massive crowds. One of the best aspects of this park is that it is free and offers all the necessities, including restrooms, ample parking, and a play area.
There is a lovely boardwalk you can stroll along to get stunning views of Lake Michigan, and it is even better to wait till sunset to catch some great views of the setting sun over the Lake. The parking area offers convenient access to the beach, which means the whole family will have easy access to the water.
Whether you wish to stroll through the 4-acre park or spend your time sunning or swimming in the tranquil waters, Windsnest State Park Beach will not disappoint you.
4. Olive Shores Park
Olive Shores Park provides a spectacular beach where visitors can enjoy the tranquil waters, sun, and sand. Situated only 15.6 miles from Holland, Olive Shores Beach should go on your beach bucket list. It is a perfect option for a family day out or if you wish to visit with friends or on your own.
The amenities at this beach include modern restrooms, a barrier-free trail loop, decks that provide the perfect spot for sunset views, and an extensive series of boardwalks and stairs to help you traverse the dunes and see the sights. You will also have access to a paved parking area.
If you feel like having a walk, you can go and explore the mature beech-maple-hemlock forest in the park, or you can climb the steep dune formations.
Remember that no lifeguards are on duty at this beach, and you will need to pay a small parking fee to access the parking facilities.
Conclusion
Holland, Michigan, has some spectacular beaches offering lovely views of Lake Michigan and providing visitors with long stretches of stunning beach sand, dunes, and tranquil waters. If you want to spend the day on the beach with friends, family, or alone, you can’t go wrong with visiting Holland State Park Beaches, Tunnel Park, Laketown Beach, Kirk Park Beach, and Riley Beach.
If you are happy to travel a little outside of Holland, Saugatuck Dunes State Park Beach, Oval Beach, Windsnest State Park Beach, and Olive Shores Park are perfect choices.
