Ottawa County is home to the most parks in the State of Michigan. Which is one great reason to live here! Ottawa County has 28 Parks and 11 county open space land. The parks are locations where there are significant improvements like paved parking lots, restroom buildings, designated trails, Picnic areas, and other buildings. The parks have more rigid rules that need to be followed and hunting is not permitted within the parks without a special permit. Open Space land is generally a less developed natural area that has less rigid rules. Most dont have designated trails and the ones that do are going to be less marked than the parks. These locations also have limited gravel parking areas.
Permits are required to enter the county parks. Daily passes are $5 for residents and $8 for non. Annual Passes are $15 for Residents and $25 for non-residents. Passes can be purchased at Tunnel, Kirk, and North Beach during the summer season and Hemlock Crossing and the County Treasures office year-round. Yearly passes can also be purchased online at the county website by creating an account.
Tunnel Park
Located in Holland, at 66 N, Lakeshore Ave, Holland, MI 49424. Tunnel Park is one of the most popular parks around town with many amenities.
Tunnel Park's name comes from the tunnel on the right of the park, which goes through the dune and back to the swimming beach. There are two picnic shelters that are reservable along with numerous picnic tables. They have grills available, which are first come first serve but typically are easily accessible.
Featuring 4 sand volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, a children's playground with a dune climb, and a dune stairway to scenic views overlooking Lake Michigan! Complete with modern restrooms and seasonal vending machines. There are parking fees from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. No Dogs are permitted from May 1st through Sept 30th.
Tunnel Park's name comes from the tunnel on the right of the park, which goes through the dune and back to the swimming beach. There are two picnic shelters that are reservable along with numerous picnic tables. They have grills available, which are first come first serve but typically are easily accessible.
Featuring 4 sand volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, a children's playground with a dune climb, and a dune stairway to scenic views overlooking Lake Michigan! Complete with modern restrooms and seasonal vending machines. There are parking fees from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. No Dogs are permitted from May 1st through Sept 30th.
Upper Macatawa Natural Area
Located in Zeeland at 1300 84th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464. This park is massive with 612 acres.
This park is popular among hikers, cyclists, bird watchers, and all nature lovers. There are numerous single-track mountain bike trails for you to choose from. Along with hiking and ungroomed cross country ski trails, even paved bike trails.
It is a nature lover's paradise with scenic overlook decks and picnic tables for an outdoor lunch with a great view. There are rustic toilets available for use as well.
This park is popular among hikers, cyclists, bird watchers, and all nature lovers. There are numerous single-track mountain bike trails for you to choose from. Along with hiking and ungroomed cross country ski trails, even paved bike trails.
It is a nature lover's paradise with scenic overlook decks and picnic tables for an outdoor lunch with a great view. There are rustic toilets available for use as well.
Riley Trails
Located in Holland, at 16300 Riley St, Holland MI 49424. You will rarely find the parking lot empty and with 300 acres, you will rarely see another trail enthusiast while you're out exploring!
Riley Trails is filled with tall beech-maple and pine trees, has a lake, massive trail system, and rolling terrain. From hikers to mountain bikers and even geocachers, there is a plethora of enjoyment to be had. Great rustic trails to explore, go fishing in the park's lake, and ski on the ungroomed cross-country ski trails for the winter months.
Whatever you love about nature, I bet you will find it at Riley Trails. Of course, there are rustic toilets on the property as well.
Riley Trails is filled with tall beech-maple and pine trees, has a lake, massive trail system, and rolling terrain. From hikers to mountain bikers and even geocachers, there is a plethora of enjoyment to be had. Great rustic trails to explore, go fishing in the park's lake, and ski on the ungroomed cross-country ski trails for the winter months.
Whatever you love about nature, I bet you will find it at Riley Trails. Of course, there are rustic toilets on the property as well.
Paw Paw Park
Located in Holland, at 1099 Paw Paw Drive, Holland MI 49423. With 172 acres, Paw Paw Park uses their space with proficiency.
They have an 18 hole disc golf course for all of the disc throwers, some holes are trickier than others but beginners and skilled layers will both enjoy this course.
There are some picnic tables with a grill located nearby at the picnic shelter for easy access. Great place to take the family to relax, play some disc golf, and have a picnic.
The park features scenic overlooks, gorgeous bridges, and the unity of the Macatawa River and Noordeloos Creek.
Great hiking trails, boardwalks, and a half-mile paved trail. Rustic bathrooms are available on site.
They have an 18 hole disc golf course for all of the disc throwers, some holes are trickier than others but beginners and skilled layers will both enjoy this course.
There are some picnic tables with a grill located nearby at the picnic shelter for easy access. Great place to take the family to relax, play some disc golf, and have a picnic.
The park features scenic overlooks, gorgeous bridges, and the unity of the Macatawa River and Noordeloos Creek.
Great hiking trails, boardwalks, and a half-mile paved trail. Rustic bathrooms are available on site.
Olive Shores
Located in West Olive, at 8555 Olive Shores Ave, West Olive MI 49460.
At Olive Shores, there are 20 acres of mostly wooded land, which makes for a peaceful surrounding. There is a swimming beach if you'd like to go swimming. Some hiking trails and a boardwalk, along with stairways and decks with scenic views. This place has been called a "little slice of heaven".
They also have picnic tables, so you can make a full day of relaxing y the water! Modern restrooms are also a nice touch that you will find at Olive Shores.
They do have a parking fee from Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day.
At Olive Shores, there are 20 acres of mostly wooded land, which makes for a peaceful surrounding. There is a swimming beach if you'd like to go swimming. Some hiking trails and a boardwalk, along with stairways and decks with scenic views. This place has been called a "little slice of heaven".
They also have picnic tables, so you can make a full day of relaxing y the water! Modern restrooms are also a nice touch that you will find at Olive Shores.
They do have a parking fee from Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day.
Kirk Park
Located in West Olive, at 9791 Lakeshore Dr, West Olive, MI 49460.
One of the biggest perks to this beach is that they allow dogs (unleashed) from 7 am to 10 am and again from 6 pm to close(10 pm). People will travel far and wide to come to the "dog beach". However, they are quite strict on not allowing dogs on the beach during "non-dog times".
Kirk Park has a great swimming beach, even when many others have lost their beach due to the high tides and erosion. They have a picnic shelter and lodge that are reservable. There are picnic tables available for anyone and some grills that are first-come, first-serve.
There is a playground for the kiddos, along with a horseshoe pit. Numerous hiking trails with scenic views. Kirk Park does have modern restrooms as well!
One of the biggest perks to this beach is that they allow dogs (unleashed) from 7 am to 10 am and again from 6 pm to close(10 pm). People will travel far and wide to come to the "dog beach". However, they are quite strict on not allowing dogs on the beach during "non-dog times".
Kirk Park has a great swimming beach, even when many others have lost their beach due to the high tides and erosion. They have a picnic shelter and lodge that are reservable. There are picnic tables available for anyone and some grills that are first-come, first-serve.
There is a playground for the kiddos, along with a horseshoe pit. Numerous hiking trails with scenic views. Kirk Park does have modern restrooms as well!
Hemlock Crossing
Located in West Olive, at 8115 W Olive Rd, West Olive, MI 49460. With 239 acres, there is ample space to enjoy!
Pigeon river runs through the park and presents countless views of nature's greatest treasures. There is even a kayak/canoe launch for anyone that is wanting to get out on the Pigeon River!
Everyone's favorite feature of Hemlock Crossings is the trails! The trails are very diverse and will take you on a boardwalk, through sand, grassy knolls, and beautiful waterways. There are two picnic shelters available for public use, along with grills!
In the winter the nature center allows you to rent snowshoes for the trails and many enjoy cross country skiing.
During the warmer months, the modern restrooms are open for use, and rustic toilets during the winter months.
Pigeon river runs through the park and presents countless views of nature's greatest treasures. There is even a kayak/canoe launch for anyone that is wanting to get out on the Pigeon River!
Everyone's favorite feature of Hemlock Crossings is the trails! The trails are very diverse and will take you on a boardwalk, through sand, grassy knolls, and beautiful waterways. There are two picnic shelters available for public use, along with grills!
In the winter the nature center allows you to rent snowshoes for the trails and many enjoy cross country skiing.
During the warmer months, the modern restrooms are open for use, and rustic toilets during the winter months.
Pigeon Creek Park
Located in West Olive, at 12524 Stanton St, West Olive, MI 49460. Pigeon Creek is great for everyone all year long!
In the Summer months: there's a plethora of hiking, biking, and horse trails. Along with picnic tables and grills for you to use! They have a group camp area(only available for groups from recognized organizations). They have rustic restrooms during the summer months.
In the Winter months: lightly groomed cross country ski trails, sledding hill (no snowboards), snowshoe trails. They have ski and snowshoe rental available in the lodge, and ski lessons. The lodge also features modern restrooms. After enjoying the trails or sledding you can cozy up beside the large fireplace, with snacks, hot cocoa, and coffee. The snacks, hot cocoa, and coffee are available to purchase at the counter.
In the Summer months: there's a plethora of hiking, biking, and horse trails. Along with picnic tables and grills for you to use! They have a group camp area(only available for groups from recognized organizations). They have rustic restrooms during the summer months.
In the Winter months: lightly groomed cross country ski trails, sledding hill (no snowboards), snowshoe trails. They have ski and snowshoe rental available in the lodge, and ski lessons. The lodge also features modern restrooms. After enjoying the trails or sledding you can cozy up beside the large fireplace, with snacks, hot cocoa, and coffee. The snacks, hot cocoa, and coffee are available to purchase at the counter.
North Beach Park
Located in Ferrysburg, at 18775 N Shore Dr, Ferrysburg, MI 49409. This is a 7-acre waterfront park with 745 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline!
The very first thing you'll notice pulling into the parking lot at North Beach Park is the scenic views! Breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, there are even dune stairs and a scenic overlook to enjoy.
A huge swimming beach with a beach walkway, sand volleyball court, and a playground on the beach are some of the great features. They have picnic tables, a reservable picnic shelter, and grills as well.
There are modern restrooms and an outdoor shower(to get all the sand off) close to the parking lot for easy access.
There is a parking fee from Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day.
The very first thing you'll notice pulling into the parking lot at North Beach Park is the scenic views! Breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, there are even dune stairs and a scenic overlook to enjoy.
A huge swimming beach with a beach walkway, sand volleyball court, and a playground on the beach are some of the great features. They have picnic tables, a reservable picnic shelter, and grills as well.
There are modern restrooms and an outdoor shower(to get all the sand off) close to the parking lot for easy access.
There is a parking fee from Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day.
Grand River Park
Located in Jenison, at 9473 28th Ave, Jenison, MI 49428.
Gorgeous hiking trails that many enjoy the tranquility and abundance of nature.
Off the parking lot, they have modern restrooms, a nice-sized playground, and an overlook of the river.
This is a great place to go fishing, either on shore or via boat. They have a canoe/kayak launch along with a boat launch. A fishing dock is also available for those without watercraft vessels.
if you'd like a nice place for a picnic, they have picnic tables, a reservable picnic building, and grills available.
Gorgeous hiking trails that many enjoy the tranquility and abundance of nature.
Off the parking lot, they have modern restrooms, a nice-sized playground, and an overlook of the river.
This is a great place to go fishing, either on shore or via boat. They have a canoe/kayak launch along with a boat launch. A fishing dock is also available for those without watercraft vessels.
if you'd like a nice place for a picnic, they have picnic tables, a reservable picnic building, and grills available.
Grand Ravines
Located in Jenison, at 9920 42nd Ave, Georgetown Twp, MI 49428. Grand Ravines is very popular with dog families and photographers.
They feature an enclosed dog park and dog wash station for your furry family members. The park is wheelchair accessible and very well maintained.
If you enjoy fishing then you'll most likely enjoy coming to this park! There are also well-maintained hiking trails complete with a ravine overlook and water bottle refill stations.
Everywhere you look there is picturesque scenery. Many people get family photos, senior pictures, and even photos of four-legged family members!
They have modern restrooms and a lodge as well. The lodge is available to rent for any event or gathering.
They feature an enclosed dog park and dog wash station for your furry family members. The park is wheelchair accessible and very well maintained.
If you enjoy fishing then you'll most likely enjoy coming to this park! There are also well-maintained hiking trails complete with a ravine overlook and water bottle refill stations.
Everywhere you look there is picturesque scenery. Many people get family photos, senior pictures, and even photos of four-legged family members!
They have modern restrooms and a lodge as well. The lodge is available to rent for any event or gathering.