A half-mile-long sandy beach on Lake Michigan makes Grand Haven State Park in Ottawa County a distinctive coastal destination. The park also offers views of the Grand Haven Pier and two lighthouses. Here, beach and expansive water views come together, offering a striking introduction to the region’s landscapes.

Parks, Waterfronts, and Trails

Ottawa County has 40 county parks and open spaces. Together, its parks and open spaces offer more than 150 miles of trails. One route stands out for its explicitly planned status: the Idema Explorers Trail is planned as a 36.5-mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail following the Grand River Greenway. It is being built in phases.

The state parks also offer different experiences. Holland State Park consists of separate units on Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. The paved Lakeshore Trail is 20 miles long, runs along Lakeshore Drive, and connects Holland State Park with Grand Haven State Park. You can consider the connection between the two parks as a route in its own right, while their respective waterfront locations remain distinct.

A motor vehicle permit is required for Ottawa County’s waterfront parks and the Riverside Park Boat Launch from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Bass River Recreation Area is in Ottawa County on the Grand River and has 3.5 miles of river frontage. The sandy beach on Lake Michigan and these riverfront areas give you two distinct waterside landscapes to help guide your interests.

Trails on Different Scales

Hoffmaster State Park extends into Ottawa County and offers ten miles of scenic trails. One specific section is the Dune Overlook Trail: its round trip is about half a mile and includes about 220 steps. Both figures are approximate; together, they give you a concrete sense of the route’s length and the climb involved.

For a different kind of discovery, visit the Hemlock Crossing Public Observatory. It is the first public observatory in West Michigan and houses a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The focus here is not on shorelines or trails, but on astronomy. This adds a distinct scientific subject to the area’s landscape and cultural offerings.

Local History from Different Perspectives

Located in Grand Haven, the Tri-Cities Historical Museum presents the local history of northwestern Ottawa County through artifacts, exhibits, and educational programs. The Holland Museum takes a different approach: it presents Holland, Michigan’s history, from the settlement of Dutch immigrants to the present-day community, through historical objects and Dutch art. If you’re interested in the area’s history, the museums offer different perspectives: northwestern Ottawa County on one hand, and the development of Holland and its Dutch heritage on the other.

Roads and guided tours also tell stories of local history. The original River Road is the oldest secondary road in Ottawa County. The Historic River Road Tour follows the contours of today’s Grand River Greenway and offers an afternoon on the road with a tour guide, where you can learn more about local history.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Holland, Grand Haven, Hudsonville, Coopersville, Zeeland, Delta County, Ogemaw County, Roscommon County.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.