South Haven combines the wide sands of South Beach with the Black River and long stretches of cycling and water trails. It also has a lighthouse on the South Pier, an agricultural heritage and an annual festival.

South Beach and the Light on the South Pier

South Beach offers broad sands and sweeping views across Lake Michigan. At the mouth of the Black River, where it flows into the lake, the South Haven South Pierhead Light stands on the South Pier. Built in 1903, the lighthouse adds a historic structure to the waterfront landscape.

Trails on Different Scales

Kal-Haven Trail State Park stretches 33.5 miles between Kalamazoo and South Haven. It follows the abandoned route of the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad, which operated from the 1870s through the 1970s. The surface consists of limestone and cinders. Activities include cycling, hiking, running, nature observation and snowmobiling; conditions vary seasonally. This brings a former rail route and a range of present-day activities together on one trail.

The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route #1 covers a different scale: it begins in South Haven and runs 275 miles eastward through Michigan to Port Huron. South Haven's role also differs on these routes: it is a terminus on the Kal-Haven Trail and the starting point for Route #1.

Water Trails and River Activities

The Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail covers 21 miles of the South Branch of the Black River between Bangor and South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan. It is designed for canoeing and kayaking. Visitors can also paddle on the Black River in South Haven.

Options at South Beach include kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as the Friends Good Will Splash Pad. SHOUT Park on the Black River in South Haven has an accessible fishing platform; Black River Park and Boat Launch has a kayak launch. Availability, facility conditions and launch conditions may change. Check the relevant conditions before your visit.

Agricultural Heritage and an August Event

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum & Gardens was built in 1857 and is one of the oldest surviving houses in South Haven. It was the main building on the 80-acre Bailey Farm, which helped advance peach and apple growing along Michigan's Fruit Belt. The museum honors Liberty Hyde Bailey and his family and documents South Haven's agricultural heritage.

The National Blueberry Festival has been a South Haven tradition since 1963 and takes place every year on the second weekend of August. If you plan your trip around the festival, check the specific dates and schedule, as event schedules can change.

Discover more destinations: Paw Paw, Gobles, Covert, Grand Junction

Return to the regional travel overview: Van Buren County.