Holland Beaches

Whether you are a visitor on a quick weekend trip, a life-long resident, or anything in between, Holland, Michigan is a great place to be in the summer. Lake Michigan is lined with wonderful beaches and two of them are right in Holland: Holland State Park and Tunnel Park.

Holland State Park is located on the north side of the channel connecting Lake Macatawa with Lake Michigan. A walk along the channel and then out to the pier will allow you a perfect view of the charming lighthouse, Big Red. The lighthouse itself sits on the south side of the channel but is not usually open to visitors. 

The Holland State Park also offers a broad stretch of sandy beach, a good swimming area, and plenty of bathrooms. Don’t forget that you will need a state park pass to enter this beach. Parking outside of the park is limited and does require a fair bit of extra walking. 

Nearby you can also find the state park campground and Mount Pisgah, the stair-laden dune from which you can view Lake Macatawa, Lake Michigan, Big Red, and the marvelous beauty of the surrounding area. The entrance to Mount Pisgah can be a little hard to find. It has a small parking area located just west and across the street from the trailhead. Look for the white archway between the Holland State Park campground entrance and Dune Dogz. On your way to or from the park, stop by the General Store for ice cream or a snack. Your trip might not be complete without it! 

Tunnel Park is another excellent beach. There is a fee to park in the main lot or in the overflow parking just across from the entrance on Perry Street. This park is a 2-in-1 with a playground, pavilions, and volleyball courts on one side of a dune and the beach on the other side. This makes it the ideal gathering spot for large groups or cook outs. 

Another unique feature of Tunnel Park is the dune itself, which can be a great source of fun if you mind getting a little hot and sandy. Climb right up the dune or use the stairs alongside it and then gaze down at Lake Michigan from the top. If the dune isn’t for you, the easier way to get to the beach is through the tunnel the park is named after. It cuts right through the dune and leads you to the main portion of the beach. 

Whichever beach you visit, Lake Michigan is the perfect place to experience the sun, sand, wind, and waves of a West Michigan summer.