Saugatuck Day Trip from Chicago
Michigan's art-colony beach town, dune rides and a hand-cranked ferry
A one-day drive from Chicago to Saugatuck — 281 mi round trip, about 4h 50m behind the wheel, with stops, timings and where to eat already worked out.
Mount Baldhead Park
A drive-up dune with a boardwalk staircase to a sweeping view over Lake Michigan and the Kalamazoo River channel.
💡 Climb the wooden stairs for the view; skip the steep sand-dune descent to the beach if you'd rather keep it easy.
Mt Baldhead Park Trail, Saugatuck
Saugatuck Chain Ferry
A hand-cranked cable ferry that has crossed the Kalamazoo River since the 1800s — a quirky, quintessential Saugatuck experience.
💡 Cash only, small fare — a fun 5-minute crossing to Oval Beach's side of the river.
528 Water St, Saugatuck
Saugatuck Brewing Company
A well-regarded local brewpub, the kind of relaxed table worth remembering from the trip.
2948 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas
Oval Beach
One of the Midwest's most celebrated Lake Michigan beaches, backed by dunes and dune grass.
💡 Arrive early for parking in summer — the small lot fills by midday.
690 Perryman St, Saugatuck
The Butler
Galleries, boutiques and the Saugatuck riverwalk make this a pleasant stroll through the town's art-colony character.
40 Butler St, Saugatuck
- Oval Beach parking is limited — arrive before 11am on weekends
- The chain ferry takes cash only, small exact-change fare
- I-196/US-31 corridor can back up on summer Sundays heading back to Chicago
- No downtown Chicago stops today — the day is bookended by the drive out and back
- Holland State Park+9 mi
Iconic red lighthouse ("Big Red") on a Lake Michigan pier, a classic West Michigan photo stop.
- Fenn Valley Vineyards+6 mi
A local winery with tastings amid vineyard views, a relaxed detour if wine interests you.
- Saugatuck Dunes State Park+5 mi
Quieter, less-developed dune trails and beach access than Mount Baldhead, good for an easy walk.
- Douglas Beach Park+2 mi
A quieter neighboring beach with clear water views, a nice low-key alternative to Oval Beach.
Make this trip your own
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