Holland State Park sits on the Lake Michigan shore at Holland. The Michigan DNR says it is best known for sugar sand beaches, sunsets and views of the "Big Red" lighthouse. 1

What to see

The park has two units on the north side of the channel that joins Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan: a Lake Michigan unit and a Lake Macatawa unit. The DNR lists about a quarter-mile of sandy Lake Michigan shore and nearly a quarter-mile on Macatawa. Buoyed swim areas are in both day-use areas. 1

Big Red, the Holland Harbor Light, can be seen from the park. The DNR says the light itself sits outside the park, across the channel. 1 The Library of Congress files Carol M. Highsmith's photograph of that south pierhead light under the same local name. 4

Lakeshore Trail is a 20-mile paved route the DNR says runs from Grand Haven State Park to Holland State Park. 1

Best seasons

Summer is the beach season the DNR writes for. The park asks people to watch the beach-flag warning system; red flags mean the water is unsafe. 13 Winter camping and lodging are among the tags the DNR puts on the camper cabins. Current cabin and campground notes belong on the park page. 1

How to get there

The DNR address is 2459 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, Michigan, 49424. Campground registration for both loops is at 2175 Ottawa Beach Road. 1

Tips

  • The light is a view from the park, not a climb inside the park. 1
  • The paved Lakeshore Trail is the walk or ride to Grand Haven. 1
  • We do not have a Big Red listing in the shop. The west-Michigan light we print is the Grand Haven south pier.

Safety

Lake Michigan currents and the beach-flag system are the hazards the DNR names. This page does not report today's flags. Check the Holland State Park page and the DNR beach safety page before you go. 13