Discover Ottawa: Parks, Trails, and History

Waterfront, trails, and regional history give an Ottawa stay a range of possible focuses. Ottawa County has 40 county parks and open spaces; the parks and open spaces offer more than 150 miles of trails. The total number and designated trail mileage may change as the system develops. When planning outings, it is worth looking at individual destinations, since beaches, riverfronts, dunes, and museums each offer their own themes.

Waterfront and Trails in Ottawa County

Grand Haven State Park in Ottawa County has a sandy beach that stretches for half a mile. The park offers views of Grand Haven Pier and two lighthouses. A different waterfront landscape defines Holland State Park, which consists of separate areas on Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. The 20-mile paved Lakeshore Trail connects Grand Haven State Park and Holland State Park and runs along Lakeshore Drive. The beach, two distinct bodies of water, and a designated connection between the parks offer different highlights for outings.

Riverfronts and trails can also be considered as distinct highlights. Bass River Recreation Area is in Ottawa County and has 3.5 miles of shoreline along the Grand River. Hoffmaster State Park extends into Ottawa County and offers ten miles of scenic trails. On the Dune Overlook Trail there, the out-and-back climb is about half a mile long and includes approximately 220 steps. The approximate distance and number of steps provide specific guidance for this outing.

Planned Trails and Seasonal Permits

The Idema Explorers Trail is planned as a 36.5-mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail. It follows the Grand River Greenway and is being built in phases. Its planned status is important when planning outings. If you drive a motor vehicle to Ottawa County’s waterfront parks or the Riverside Park Boat Launch from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, you need a permit. Since seasonal permit rules may change, check the current details before you go.

Astronomy and Regional History

Hemlock Crossing Public Observatory is the first public observatory in West Michigan and houses a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. This adds a distinct focus on astronomy to the waterfront and trail experiences.

Two museums offer different perspectives on regional history. The Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven presents the local history of northwestern Ottawa County through artifacts, exhibits, and educational programs. The Holland Museum focuses on the history of Holland, Michigan, from the settlement of Dutch immigrants to today’s community, told through historic objects and Dutch art.

The history of roads and trails is also a possible theme for outings. 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. With a tour guide, it offers an afternoon spent on the road learning more about local history.

Plan Outings for Your Hotel Stay

If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay in Ottawa, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your daily plans: waterfront and beach, trails and river landscapes, astronomy, or regional history. The places and activities mentioned offer different highlights, so you can put together outings based on your interests.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Holland, Hudsonville, Grand Haven, Coopersville, Zeeland, Isabella, Livingston, Leelanau County.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.