Van Buren State Park — Attraction in Girard Township

A clean, well organized state park with a beautiful Lake Michigan beach. There’s also access to some incredible sand dunes and it is just down the road from lovely South Haven Michigan with its unique shops, delicious restaurants, marina, and city beach with its famous little red lighthouse on the pier.

If you bring your dog you can take them to the dog friendly portion of the beach (to the right of the swimming beach) and let them enjoy the water. Dogs are also welcome at the campgrounds and there are dog walking paths within easy access.

Check in for camping is a smooth process- stay in the right lane as you enter and wait for your turn at the camping office. If you arrive when the office is unmanned there is a self serve kiosk you can use, but be advised it only takes cash and I believe checks- no credit cards.

You can reserve a campsite online (recommended during the busy season) and the system will show you a photo and details of each spot so you can pick the one you like best. Most spots have 30 amp electrical hookups and some have 50 amps available. Restrooms are clean and have shower facilities and hot water sinks for doing dishes. There are Pepsi machines at the restrooms and ice and firewood are for sale at the main camping office. There’s also a posted schedule of events which include nature walks and a variety of other activities.

Like all Michigan state parks, a recreation passport is required for entrance. Michigan residents can add this perk with their vehicle registration renewal. You can also get one at your local Michigan DNR office and visitors can get one on site at the park’s main office.

For those making a day visit, the beach is a great destination. There is also lots of open park space, picnic tables and pavilions, walking trails, playgrounds, and restroom facilities.

Main access to the beach is via an even and well paved sidewalk, but the beach itself with its deep shifting sand can be a challenge for those with balance or mobility issues.

There is abundant parking for the beach and beachfront amenities. Be sure to pick up a map at the office or consult the park map online to find the locations you hope to visit.

Be advised the park is expected to close to undergo some renovations and improvements starting in September, 2025- so be sure to check their specific section on the DNR website before you visit.

Each Michigan State park campground has its own unique character. With the popularity of the Lake Michigan beach and sand dunes, this particular campground is quite closely clustered and camp spots are relatively out in the open. This is in contrast to some other state parks where campsites set back in the woods slightly, offering a more natural and secluded feel.

The fabulous beach makes this a popular camping destination, and weekends in particular can be very busy and crowded. Camping mid-week is a good deal quieter and spots are easier to book.

Be sure to visit the Michigan DNR website and select Van Buren State Park for more details.

Overall a lovely park and beautiful...

Van Buren State Park, located along the captivating shores of Lake Michigan, offers a blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Having recently explored its offerings, I am eager to share my thoughts on this destination.

Upon arriving at Van Buren State Park, I was immediately struck by the unspoiled beauty of the surroundings. The expansive sandy beach stretching along Lake Michigan's shoreline is a haven for beachgoers and nature enthusiasts alike. The crystal-clear waters and pristine sands create an idyllic setting for relaxation, picnics, and memorable sunset views.

I appreciated the range of camping options, from tent sites to modern RV facilities. The wooded areas around the campsites contribute to a feeling of being truly immersed in nature, while still having access to essential amenities such as clean restrooms and showers.

Hiking enthusiasts will find themselves spoiled for choice with the park's extensive network of trails. The picturesque hiking paths offer diverse landscapes, including lush woodlands, serene dunes, and panoramic overlooks of Lake Michigan. Whether you're an avid hiker or a casual nature lover, there's a trail suited to your preferences.

One of the park's standout features is its commitment to preserving the fragile dune ecosystem. Educational signage dotted along the trails provides valuable insights into the local flora and fauna, creating an educational and immersive experience.

While the natural attractions steal the show, Van Buren State Park also offers recreational activities for all ages. The waters of Lake Michigan invite swimming, kayaking, and fishing, making it an ideal spot for aquatic adventures. Families can enjoy the playground areas and designated picnic spots, creating opportunities for quality time together.

If I were to point out a potential drawback, it would be the park's popularity, especially during peak seasons. While this indicates the park's appeal, it's advisable to plan visits accordingly to avoid crowds and secure the best...

Bicycled the South Haven Van Buren paved trail a couple round trips. If you aren't a seasoned cyclist or a small child, crossing the two busy highway roads might be intimidating and can imagine if much busier road traffic walking your bike across is tantamount to a gane of Frogger. This is not what I'd call a dedicated bike trail because there are too many road crossings without protected cross traffic lights/stops. You get a cadence and another crossing appears. Also this is about 8 miles round trip so for the very casual or slower riders not the avid 14-50 mile speed cyclists. There are zero bathrooms. Once you arrive at "the Y" road fork at Van Buren Park you are immediately confused with no clear markings, road signs, park signs and an incoming constant vehicle flow at a little roadside house that it too isn't marked visible from the path. Are you really at the park? There are conflicting google posts about entering the park without a paid pass resulting in fines but after spending half hour researching and digging through the park website determined bicyclists are free in the park. Would be nice to have a big welcome free cyclists sign. We were hesitant to take the road into the park/camping area because it was a blind corner and no large shoulder/marked bike path even to use what their website map showed having restrooms. The other direction again no bike shoulder into vehicle traffic to get to allegedly another park road towards the beach area. No go. Now the trails was recently paved, not the longer section heading southeast which is for mountain bikes.

I think the paved portion is a good start but has a lot of shortcomings if a long term vision is in play. I appreciate the paved path but we got weary after two round trips and and didn't bicycle any more our week...