Allegan County: Dunes, Trails and History

Allegan County combines the Lake Michigan shoreline with dune landscapes, natural areas and historic destinations. Excursion options include hiking trails, a scenic driving tour, horseback riding and a launch site for canoes and kayaks. To help plan your trip, start by choosing the activities you want to shape your stay: nature, culture or a particular way of exploring the area.

Coast and Nature

Allegan County has 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Saugatuck Dunes State Park has 2.5 miles of sandy shoreline and 13 miles of hiking trails. The Patty Birkholz Natural Area includes a coastal dune system; three endangered plant species are found there. Allegan State Game Area covers 50,656 acres and has walking trails as well as a central campground.

Routes, Trails and Activities

The Allegan County Heritage Trail is a 122-mile scenic driving tour with 28 designated historic sites. You can begin the tour at any point along the route. The sites give the drive a historical focus; as a driving tour, it is clearly distinct from the trails you can explore on foot.

At New Richmond Bridge Park, a fully restored swing bridge is the centerpiece. It spans 400 feet across the Kalamazoo River. The park also has a half-mile of boardwalks along the river and through the surrounding wetlands. Littlejohn Lake Park has approximately 2 miles of walking trails. At half a mile, the boardwalk at New Richmond Bridge Park is shorter than the approximately 2-mile walking trail at Littlejohn Lake Park.

The county manages the 55-mile Allegan County Equestrian Trail System. Silver Creek Equestrian Campground and Park has 30 miles of interconnected trails and offers daytime horseback riding as well as overnight camping. Check conditions for these activities before you arrive. Hanson Park has an accessible launch site for canoes and kayaks.

Architecture and Event Dates

Griswold Auditorium was built in 1929 and features Arts and Crafts, or Craftsman, architecture. The Allegan County Fair has been held at the Allegan County Fairgrounds since 1852. The Allegan Antique Market takes place on the last Sunday of each month from May through September. The fair has been associated with the fairgrounds since 1852; the market, by contrast, follows a monthly schedule from May through September, on the last Sunday of each month. Check the current calendar before your trip if you want one of these events to determine your stay.

Plan Your Hotel Stay

When looking for a hotel for your stay, the kind of trip you want can guide your choice of location: Are you planning mainly for coastal and dune landscapes, a driving tour of historic sites, horseback riding or a visit timed to a specific event? Decide on this focus first, then check which specific hotel location suits your plans.

Discover more destinations: Plainwell, Allegan, Saugatuck, Kalkaska County, Lenawee County, Alger County, Gogebic County, Oceana County.

Go to the main travel overview: Michigan.