Grand Haven State Park
Grand Haven, MI
Grand Haven State Park fills the corner where the Grand River meets Lake Michigan, a broad, flat beach anchored by the red lighthouses on the south pier. A boardwalk follows the channel from the beach into downtown. On summer evenings half the town seems to walk the pier.
The pier and boardwalk are Grand Haven at its best, but the currents near the pier on wavy days are no joke.
How we score beachesWalk the boardwalk into town for dinner and come back out for sunset. Park once and you never have to fight for a spot again.
A Michigan Recreation Passport (or nonresident pass) is required; the lot is often full by late morning in summer.
The lot sits right behind the beach, and the boardwalk and pier are flat, paved surfaces.
Peak season runs through August. Dangerous currents form along the pier on windy days, so pay attention to the flags before swimming anywhere near it.
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