Grand Haven State Park

About this park

Grand Haven State Park, one of the original 13 parks created in 1920 following the establishment of the Michigan State Parks Commission the year before, occupies a compact 48 acres at the mouth of the Grand River in downtown Grand Haven. Bordered by Lake Michigan to the west, the Grand River to the north, and the city's own beach to the south, the park consists almost entirely of sand, offering sweeping views of the iconic Grand Haven pier and its paired lighthouses marking the harbor entrance. A boardwalk along the Grand River has become a popular fishing destination in its own right, separate from the park's main Lake Michigan beach, and the park's modern campground sits unusually close to the water compared to most other Michigan state park campgrounds, giving campers a genuine feel of sleeping right on the beach. Downtown Grand Haven, with its shops, restaurants, and the famous Musical Fountain, sits within easy walking distance, making this one of the few Michigan state parks where visitors can combine beach camping with a genuine small-town downtown experience without needing a car. A designated swim beach, picnic areas, a beach pavilion, and an overnight lodge round out the park's amenities, and visitors are reminded to heed the beach flag warning system, since Lake Michigan's currents near the pier can turn dangerous quickly regardless of how calm the water looks from shore. The park's small footprint belies its outsized popularity, drawing steady crowds throughout the summer for both its beach and its unbeatable pier and lighthouse views.