Best Grand Haven Beaches + MAP

Last Updated: March 12, 2026

I’ve spent a lot of time on the beaches of West Michigan, and the Grand Haven area is genuinely hard to beat. The famous state park beach is everything you’ve heard — wide, soft sand and that gorgeous lighthouse pier — but it’s only the beginning. Drive a few miles in either direction and you’ll find a serious off-leash dog beach, a dune trail to an uncrowded secret shoreline, and a world-class state park that most day-trippers from Grand Haven never visit.

Grand Haven’s beaches aren’t all the same experience, which is exactly the point. Some are great for families with strollers. Some require a real hike to reach. One will let your dog run free in the water all day. Knowing which one fits your trip makes all the difference. Here’s what each beach is actually like.

Grand Haven Beach Map

Use our interactive map to find all Grand Haven area beaches, parks, and attractions.

Table of Contents

• Grand Haven State Park Beach
• Grand Haven City Beach
• Kirk Park and Dog Beach
• North Beach Park
• Olive Shores
• Rosy Mound Natural Area
• P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
• Dog-Friendly Beach Summary
• Accessibility Summary
• Grand Haven Beach Map
• FAQ

Grand Haven State Park Beach

Grand Haven State Park is the marquee beach of the Grand Haven area and one of the most recognizable in Michigan. The park covers 48 acres with a half-mile of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline right at the mouth of the Grand River — and the South Pier leading to the iconic Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights is accessible directly from the beach. I’ve walked that pier dozens of times and the view still delivers, especially at golden hour when the red lighthouses catch the low light.

Amenities here are extensive: 18 beach volleyball nets, a concession stand, clean restrooms, a barrier-free playground, and a connecting boardwalk that runs 1.5 miles into downtown Grand Haven. The beachfront campground is one of the most coveted in Michigan — 174 sites steps from the water. Alcohol is not permitted in the park.

Grand Haven City Beach

Grand Haven City Beach sits directly south of the state park, sharing essentially the same wide shoreline and the same stunning pier and lighthouse view. The big practical differences: it’s free, and it’s where you can bring your leashed dog during summer. City Beach has its own separate parking lot — often slightly less backed up than the state park entrance on a busy summer Saturday.

It’s a simpler experience than the state park — no volleyball nets or concession stand — but the sand and the view are every bit as good. In the off-season it’s genuinely peaceful, and your leashed dog can walk the whole length with no time restrictions.

Kirk Park and Dog Beach

Kirk Park is the best dog beach in the Grand Haven area — and one of the best on the entire west Michigan shore. The south beach is a fully off-leash zone where dogs swim, run, and dig to their hearts’ content during all park hours. The park covers 68 acres with over a third of a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, wooded dunes, high bluffs, hiking trails, a playground, and picnic areas. It’s one of my favorite stops on this stretch of coast, dogs or no dogs.

The off-leash dog beach was fully restored to all-day, all-hours access in May 2024, after years of restricted hours caused by pandemic policies and dune stair damage from high water. The south beach stairs have been rebuilt. Dogs must be on a 10-foot leash from the parking lot through the trail to the sand — once you reach the off-leash zone, they’re free. Dogs are not permitted on the north beach or its access trail May 1 through September 30.

North Beach Park

North Beach Park is one of the most underrated beaches in the Grand Haven area. It’s just north of downtown in Ferrysburg, with 745 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline in a setting that tends to be noticeably less crowded than the state park on a summer weekend. North Beach Park is a particularly strong family beach: big updated playground, barrier-free beach walkway, beach wheelchair available at no charge, and free loaner life jackets near the water. It’s a thoughtful park.

The dune stairway climb is the other reason to come. It leads to a panoramic overlook deck with one of the best views of Lake Michigan in the area. Ambitious hikers can connect from here to North Ottawa Dunes and eventually P.J. Hoffmaster State Park — about 5 miles one-way through the dunes. If you make that hike, park a second vehicle at Hoffmaster in advance.

Olive Shores

Olive Shores is the quiet one — a small Ottawa County park south of Grand Haven with a gorgeous Lake Michigan beach, about 20 acres of hardwood forest for hiking, and elevated decks overlooking the water. You climb the stairs up and over Mount Olive to reach the beach, which keeps casual visitor counts low. The combination of forest, elevation, and secluded shoreline is hard to find anywhere else in the Grand Haven area.

Bring a picnic and your camera. There are picnic tables, restrooms, and those overlook deck views — but no dogs, no lifeguards, and no concession stand. Olive Shores rewards visitors who want stillness and scenery over amenities and crowds.

Rosy Mound Natural Area

Rosy Mound is the most spectacular natural beach in the Grand Haven area and the one I always recommend to visitors who are willing to work for it. The trail winds 0.7 miles one-way through boardwalk, shaded beech and hardwood forest, and approximately 1,000 feet of dune stairway before delivering you to a wide, quiet Lake Michigan shore that feels entirely removed from the busy state park scene a few miles north. It is completely worth it.

The beach at Rosy Mound is undeveloped — no concessions, no volleyball, no lifeguards, just the dunes and the water. Picnic tables, grills, and a pit toilet are available at the trailhead. No dogs are allowed anywhere in the natural area. Give yourself at least 2 hours for a comfortable round trip with time at the water.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is technically in Muskegon County — about 15 miles north of Grand Haven — but it belongs in any serious beaches guide for the area. It is one of the finest state parks in Michigan, full stop. Hoffmaster covers 1,100 acres of forested dunes along 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, with 10 miles of trails, a 297-site wooded campground, and the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, one of the best dune education facilities in the Midwest.

The beach here is wide, clean, and noticeably less crowded than Grand Haven State Park — the park’s size means visitors spread out. Two buoyed swim areas, two beach wheelchairs, and a track chair make this one of the most accessible beach parks on the west Michigan shore. The Dune Overlook Trail climb — about 220 steps up — delivers a panoramic view of the surrounding dunes and Lake Michigan that earns the effort every time.

🐾 Grand Haven Dog-Friendly Beaches — Quick Reference

Beach	Dogs Allowed?	Leash	Season / Time Notes
Grand Haven City Beach	✅ Yes	On-leash (10′)	Before 11am & after 5pm, Memorial Day–Labor Day; all hours Oct–Apr
Kirk Park (south beach)	✅ Yes — off-leash	Off-leash on south beach; on-leash to/from	Off-leash year-round all park hours; no dogs on north beach May 1–Sep 30
Grand Haven State Park	🚫 No	—	No dogs on beach at any time
North Beach Park	🚫 Seasonal	On-leash (10′) if allowed	No dogs May 1–Sep 30; allowed Oct 1–Apr 30
Olive Shores	🚫 No	—	No dogs permitted
Rosy Mound	🚫 No	—	No dogs anywhere in natural area
P.J. Hoffmaster	🚫 No (beach)	Leashed on some trails	No dogs on beach; some trail access permitted

♿ Grand Haven Beaches Accessibility — Quick Reference

Beach	ADA Features
Grand Haven State Park	ADA walkway to water, beach wheelchairs (free), track chair (free), rubberized accessible playground
Grand Haven City Beach	Paved path to shore
Kirk Park	Barrier-free shelter, restrooms, some picnic tables; overlook deck trail accessible
North Beach Park	Barrier-free beach walkway, beach wheelchair (free), accessible playground with accessible swing, barrier-free shelter and restrooms
Olive Shores	Barrier-free restrooms and some facilities; beach requires stair climb — not fully water-accessible
Rosy Mound	Not accessible — stairways and uneven dune terrain; pit toilet at trailhead only
P.J. Hoffmaster	ADA Sandy McBeath Trail to dune stairway base; beach wheelchairs (free); track chair (free); ADA campground facilities

Accessibility features can change seasonally — always confirm with the individual park before visiting, especially for beach wheelchair availability.

Grand Haven Beaches — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beach in Grand Haven Michigan?

Grand Haven State Park is the most popular and most amenity-rich — half a mile of sandy beach with pier access, volleyball nets, and beachfront camping steps from the water. For a quieter experience, Rosy Mound Natural Area has a secluded shore accessible via a stunning 0.7-mile dune trail. For dogs, Kirk Park’s off-leash south beach is the best dedicated dog beach in the area.

Are there dog-friendly beaches in Grand Haven?

Yes. Kirk Park has a dedicated off-leash dog beach at the south end, open year-round during all park hours — and it’s fully restored as of 2024 after years of restricted access. Grand Haven City Beach allows leashed dogs before 11am and after 5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day, and all hours in the off-season. Grand Haven State Park, Rosy Mound, Olive Shores, and P.J. Hoffmaster beach do not allow dogs.

Is Grand Haven State Park beach free?

The beach itself has no admission fee, but all vehicles need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter. Non-residents pay $11/day or $40/year. Michigan residents pay $14 at the park kiosk (or $11 at license plate renewal). Grand Haven City Beach, just south of the state park, is entirely free with its own parking lot.

What is the Ottawa County parks daily fee?

Ottawa County parks — Kirk Park, North Beach Park, Olive Shores, and Rosy Mound — charge $8/day per vehicle from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Annual passes are $25 for non-residents and $15 for Ottawa County residents. No fee before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.

Can you see the Grand Haven lighthouse from the beach?

Yes — the Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights, two iconic red lighthouses, are visible from both Grand Haven State Park beach and City Beach. The concrete pier is walkable from the state park and open to the public. The quarter-mile walk to the end is one of the most photographed stretches of shoreline in Michigan.

What is Rosy Mound Natural Area like?

Rosy Mound is an Ottawa County natural area with a 0.7-mile trail through boardwalk, shaded hardwood forest, and about 1,000 feet of dune stairway to a quiet, uncrowded Lake Michigan beach. No dogs, no lifeguards, no concessions. The $8 Ottawa County daily fee applies (no charge before Memorial Day or after Labor Day). Give yourself at least 2 hours round trip.

Is P.J. Hoffmaster State Park near Grand Haven?

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is about 15 miles north of Grand Haven in Norton Shores, Muskegon County. It features 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 10 miles of hiking trails, the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, and a 297-site wooded campground. Michigan Recreation Passport required. Two beach wheelchairs and a track chair are available at no charge.

Is Grand Haven City Beach free?

Yes. Grand Haven City Beach has free parking and no admission fee. It’s on Harbor Drive just south of Grand Haven State Park with the same views of the pier and lighthouses. No overnight parking — vehicles must be out by 10pm.

Ready to plan the rest of your trip? See the full Grand Haven Michigan travel guide for where to eat, where to stay, and what to do beyond the beach — including the free nightly Grand Haven Musical Fountain. And if you’re still choosing between destinations, our guide to the best Michigan beach towns covers the entire west coast.