Day 4: Saugatuck
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
On Thursday, October 15, 2020, I drove a little over an hour from Lake Country Inn in New Buffalo to Saugatuck Dunes State Park, arriving a little after 9:30am. The park is home to 2.5 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, coastal dunes, forested areas, 13 miles of trails, and the 300-acre Patty Birkholz Natural Area. While there, I hiked the 2.4-mile Saugatuck Dunes North Outer Loop Trail, which took me a little over an hour and a half to complete. The trail offers a scenic hiking experience through diverse landscapes, including dunes, forests, and the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Mount Baldhead Park
Next, I drove 20 minutes to Mount Baldhead Park and climbed the 303 steps to the top of the Mount Baldhead observation deck. From there, I was greeted with beautiful panoramic views of Kalamazoo River Valley and Lake Michigan, and a 1-mile sandy trail leading to Oval Beach. It was a wonderful start to the Saugatuck portion of my trip.
Downtown Saugatuck
I then retraced my steps back to the observation deck, descended the stairs to the car, and drove to the Maplewood Hotel to check in. I chose to stay there because it is centrally located in downtown Saugatuck and within walking distance to the Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise, restaurants, bars, and other attractions. Additionally, I found it quite affordable, costing $454 for three nights in October 2020.
After checking in, I went back out to explore downtown Saugatuck.
As I walked south on Butler Street, I explored a couple of the boutiques before stopping at The Butler, a waterfront dining restaurant with views of the Kalamazoo River. I then ventured next door to New Holland Spirits - Saugatuck Tasting Room for a cocktail and then walked north on Water Street, capturing photos of the sunset along the way, and ended my evening at The BARge, a unique waterfront establishment.
