kids encyclopedia robot

Saugatuck Dunes State Park facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Water and Covered Dune, Looking North, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Michigan.jpg
Shoreline and a large wooded sand dune.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is located in Michigan
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Location in Michigan
Location Laketown Township, Allegan County, Michigan, USA
Nearest city Saugatuck, Michigan
Area 1,000 acres (4.0 km2)
Elevation 669 feet (204 m)
Designation Michigan State Park
Established 1977
Administrator Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a fun outdoor area in Michigan. It covers about 1,000 acres (400 hectares) right on the shore of Lake Michigan. You can find it between the towns of Saugatuck and Holland in Allegan County.

History of Saugatuck Dunes State Park

This park used to be part of a large property owned by an inventor named Dorr E. Felt. He was famous for inventing the comptometer, an early type of calculator. His summer house, called the Felt Mansion, is still inside the park today and is being fixed up.

The Felt family's summer home was built in 1928. Later, in 1949, it was sold to a religious group. In the 1970s, the state of Michigan bought the building. It was used by the state police for a while. The state finished buying all the land for the park in 1978.

Things to Do at Saugatuck Dunes

Saugatuck Dunes State Park is mostly natural and undeveloped. It's a great place to explore the outdoors!

Hiking Trails and Sandy Dunes

The park has about 14 miles (23 km) of hiking trails. You can walk through forests and enjoy nature. There are also tall sand dunes, some as high as 200 feet (61 meters). These dunes are covered with trees and grass, making them very beautiful.

Beach Fun at Lake Michigan

You can also find 2.5 miles (4 km) of beachfront along Lake Michigan. It's a bit of a walk, about two-thirds of a mile (1 km) from the main parking area, but it's worth it for the sandy shores and lake views.

kids search engine
Saugatuck Dunes State Park Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.