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Saugatuck Dunes State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,836 Google reviews · Running trail in Holland, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 13 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Saugatuck Dunes State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Day-use preserve featuring 2.5 miles of shoreline, bird-watching & trails to coastal dunes & woods.
What runners say about Saugatuck Dunes State Park
“Parking fills up pretty fast, but the beach has so much space to spread out, well worth the (somewhat) scenic hike to the beach.”
Hike from the parking lot on one of four trails of varying lengths to a huge beach. Leashed dog friendly. It was about 70 degrees when we went and the sand was hot in some places on the dunes. Be careful on a hot day with your dog! Lake Michigan was still very cold in late May. The breeze off the water was chilly.
This is definitely the spot to go to if you don’t mind a quick walk. Was about 10-15 minutes from my car to the beach. Parking fills up pretty fast, but the beach has so much space to spread out, well worth the (somewhat) scenic hike to the beach.
Wow, what a gem of a place in Saugatuck. We were staying very near at the Fern Valley Cottage just 5 minutes away. Our Airbnb host highly recommended Saugatuck Dunes State Park and we were very happy we visited.
We stopped here for a quick visit just to pop in for a look at the dunes and lakeshore. The beach trail is a gorgeous walk but longer than we anticipated. We were still glad we took the trail and was gifted with a siting of a doe and two fawns crossing the trail in front of us.
Trail conditions & character
“Parking fills up pretty fast, but the beach has so much space to spread out, well worth the (somewhat) scenic hike to the beach.”
“Parking fills up pretty fast, but the beach has so much space to spread out, well worth the (somewhat) scenic hike to the beach.”
“Great variety of trails and elevation for either a casual walk or more active hike.”
“No bathroom facilities on or near beach, only ones available are at the parking lot when coming into the park, so plan accordingly.”
“Well-marked trails to this beautiful, secluded beach after a 10-minute walk out of the State Park parking lot.”
Plan your run at Saugatuck Dunes State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Distance13 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitemichigan.gov
- Phone(269) 637-2788
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Holland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Saugatuck Dunes North Outer Loop Beach Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 69 reviews
Hiking area with sand dunes, and beach access offering varying levels of difficulty.
Farview Nature Park
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Park featuring a pond and trails for strolling, hiking and horseback riding.
Sanctuary Woods Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 354 reviews
Small nature preserve featuring trails and staircases through dune habitat.
Wolters Woods Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 158 reviews
Family-friendly outdoor area, with a playground, gazebo, hiking path and stream.
Fillmore Discovery Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 39 reviews
Outdoor Discovery Center
4.9 ★★★★★ 1,156 reviews
Educational facility at a nature preserve with exhibits on native animals & play areas for kids.