History Hike from Oval Beach

Name: History Hike from Oval Beach
Start: 2025-09-19T10:30:00-04:00
Location: Oval Beach, Saugatuck

Schedule

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025 at 10:30 am

UTC-04:00

Location

Oval Beach, Saugatuck | Saugatuck, MI

Journey into history with us on a special hike co-sponsored by the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center! During this 3.5-mile walk through the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, we will explore the rich history of the Kalamazoo River mouth between 1820 and 1920. This area was once a bustling hub for traders, settlers, and sailors.
We will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the north end of Oval Beach parking lot (at the end of Perryman Street in Saugatuck). Local expert Chris Clark will lead the two-hour trek, sharing information about early settlement, the old channel, lighthouses, piers, Fishtown, and even a shipwreck!
The hike will involve sandy terrain, some short climbs, and perhaps some mud. Please bring water and wear appropriate shoes. Sorry, dogs aren’t allowed in the Harbor Natural Area.