If you are looking for beautiful, family-friendly hiking trails in West Michigan, check out Holland, MI! Abounding with lots of natural beauty, here are 3 great trail options to explore on your next visit to Holland.
3 Beautiful Hikes In Holland, Michigan
- Outdoor Discovery Center
- DeGraaf Nature Center
- Mt. Pisgah Dune Boardwalk
Map of Holland, Michigan Hiking Trails
Outdoor Discovery Center
4214 56th St, Holland, MI 49423
Parking: Large parking lot
Restrooms: Modern restrooms
Dogs: Allowed (but not allowed by the Birds of Prey exhibit)
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
Fee: Free, but donations are welcome
Perfect for you if… you want to visit a nature playground with the kids after you walk.
As a 160-acre nature preserve, the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) is a wonderful resource for nature exploration and education for all ages and abilities. The grounds are open to the public during daylight hours all year long.
With a trail network of about 3 miles, the natural paths are flat and consist of gravel, dirt, and wooden boardwalks. Along the trails, you’ll find tons of interesting educational trail markers too.
Other ODC highlights include a nature playground, catch-and-release fishing ponds, a Birds of Prey exhibit, and an interactive Visitor Center.
DeGraaf Nature Center
600 Graafschap Rd, Holland, MI 49423
Parking: Medium parking lot
Restrooms: Modern restrooms available inside when the nature center is open
Dogs: Allowed
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
Fee: Free, but donations are welcome
Perfect for you if… you have an interest in geology.
As part of the larger ODC network, the DeGraaf Nature Center has both educational resources and beautiful walking trails. Here too, the nature trails are open to the public anytime during daylight hours, even if the Nature Center building is closed.
The trails are short here, only 3/4 mile total, but it’s a lovely natural area to explore. Follow the flat, easy walking trails along wooden boardwalk through wetlands and over a stream.
Also, make sure to stroll through the Geology Walk to see a variety of interesting rocks and minerals.
Mt. Pisgah Dune Boardwalk
2238 3rd Ave, Holland, MI 49424
Parking: Use the Black Lake Boardwalk East parking lot (2280 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424)
Restrooms: Modern restrooms in the Holland State Park campground open seasonally
Dogs: Not allowed
Stroller-Friendly: No
Fee: Free
Perfect for you if… you want a hike with a lake view.
For a short dune hike with gorgeous views at the top, this is your trail.
As part of the Historic Ottawa Beach Park, Mt. Pisgah is the large dune just outside Holland State Park. For parking, use the Black Lake Boardwalk East, cross the street, and take a short walk on Ottawa Beach Road to the trailhead. There is a two hour limit to this parking lot.
This is a short hike with lots of stairs and spots to rest along the way up. At the top lookout, 157 feet above the water, take in the beautiful views of Lake Macatawa, Lake Michigan, and the Big Red Lighthouse.
For more hiking adventures, you can connect with the wooded, natural Holland State Park trails from the top of the dune. When you come back down Mt. Pisgah, the rest of the Historic Ottawa Beach Park features boardwalk paths along Lake Macatawa.
Happy Hiking!
I hope you enjoy your next adventure in Holland! For more beautiful West Michigan hiking trails, check out 3 Must See Spectacular Hikes In Saugatuck, Michigan or Awesome West Michigan Hiking Trails In Ottawa County.
