Saugatuck, Oval Beach and Mount Baldhead

Saugatuck is a small resort town on the Kalamazoo River about forty-five minutes southwest of Grand Rapids, and it combines an arts-and-boutique atmosphere with some of the best beach scenery in the state. Oval Beach, just across the river, is a wide strip of sand backed by tall dunes and routinely ranked among the top Great Lakes beaches. Mount Baldhead, a forested dune with a wooden staircase, gives a steep climb and a sweeping view over the lake, town and river. The hand-cranked chain ferry that crosses the river between town and the beach road has operated in various forms for generations and is a charming way to start the day. In town, galleries, antique shops, restaurants and ice cream parlours line the streets, and boat rides or kayaking let you explore the river. The honest notes: summer weekends bring heavy traffic and parking is limited, the ferry runs seasonally, and the climb up Mount Baldhead is strenuous. Fit: couples, friends, beach lovers and day trippers who like a village atmosphere.

Saugatuck has been an artists' colony for more than a century, drawing painters from Chicago who found the light and landscape inspiring. That legacy persists in small galleries and craft studios, while the neighbouring town of Douglas adds restaurants and shops. The dunes that make the shoreline so dramatic are protected in parks and nature areas, including Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which offers quieter trails away from the main beach.

The town itself deserves time. Walk the main street for galleries, antique shops and small boutiques, stop for fudge or ice cream, and consider a river cruise or a paddle-wheel boat tour to see the town from the water. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available in season, and the river is calmer than the lake. Art lovers can look for open studios and seasonal gallery events, and in autumn the colours around the dunes are striking. Evening brings live music in some venues and a relaxed dinner scene.

On the beach, treat the dune environment with respect. Stay on marked paths to protect the fragile vegetation, carry out what you carry in and watch for signs about swimming conditions. The staircase up Mount Baldhead is steep, so allow time and bring water, but the view at the top is worth the effort, particularly at sunset. Families can enjoy the long shallows and sand play at Oval Beach, while couples often prefer a late afternoon walk when the heat has eased and the light turns golden.