Explore South Haven, a Pure Michigan Trail Town
Going outside to play is made easy in South Haven!
South Haven was designated as a Pure Michigan Trail Town in 2019, boasting 48 miles of land trails, 91 miles of water trails, 770 acres of nature preserves, and a few scenic driving routes. Each is worth exploring, whether you're on foot, on a bicycle, in a kayak or canoe, or in a car. Pick your favorite form of travel, find a trail, and explore!
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/trail-town_logo.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1be209c13eb5e06fe5cedb4d18483563 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/trail-town_logo.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d9d5d2a32f4c1224b2eeb496fd4e0852 400w)
Land Trails
Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route #1
51 Bailey Avenue
The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail Route #1 begins in South Haven and runs east across the state of Michigan to Port Huron for a total of 275 miles. Over 75 towns along the trail offer something for everyone, with thousands of restaurants, lodging, and points of interest to explore. In South Haven, the Kal-Haven Trail State Park serves as the first leg of the Route #1 Trail.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Great-Lake-to-Lake.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2074df8389257c2b27a664607b4413e7 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Great-Lake-to-Lake.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=e342b93837c8b0e7cfdc74381aafd9a3 448w)
Kal-Haven Trail State Park
(Closed for resurfacing through 2024)
51 Bailey Avenue
The Kal-Haven Trail is a 33.5-mile trail that links Kalamazoo to South Haven. The Kal-Haven is built on the abandoned Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad route, which existed from the 1870s to the 1970s and has a limestone/slag surface. This non-motorized trail is used for bicycling, hiking, running, nature viewing, and snowmobiling. The Kal-Haven is designated as a Pure Michigan Trail.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Kal-Haven-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3bd38b1406435ab36a95b4af0082b25c 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Kal-Haven-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6f85b743389a099a9995bd1895a482eb 448w)
Maritime District Harbor Walk
North Pier to South Pier
The Harbor Walk is a scenic pedestrian trail that runs from North Beach to South Beach, pier-to-pier, within the Maritime District. The walk includes wonderful views of boats, marinas, a drawbridge, downtown South Haven and spectacular views of the South Haven Lighthouse. Along the Harbor Walk is twenty-one historical markers, allowing walkers to learn about the unique aspects of South Haven's history.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Harborwalk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6d7167def04dd30c4d7d929e4f14b1b8 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Harborwalk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=88620db0d83db8417802cfe202ff611b 448w)
U.S. Bicycle Route 35
U.S. Bicycle Route 35 is a 500-mile route that runs from Indiana through Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, generally follows the Lake Michigan shoreline and through the eastern Upper Peninsula. In South Haven, Route 35 generally follows the Blue Star Highway to the north and south of South Haven. The route travels through downtown South Haven by way of Kalamazoo, Phoenix, Center, and Williams Streets, as well as Dyckman Avenue and North Shore Drive.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Bicycle-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e0b8b53654cdbaf8f0f6036fb774445a 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Bicycle-35.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=53f48a8fe74f367b21e093fb7683addd 336w)
Van Buren Trail State Park
South End of Maple Street
The Van Buren Trail is a 14-mile trail that links the city of South Haven to Hartford. The trail runs through open farmland, blueberry fields, dense brush, and wooded areas. The first 4 miles south from South Haven are paved, as well as the 2.5-mile Van Buren Trail spur into the Van Buren State Park.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Van-Buren-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1af0846196ce87407638ac16ff49ad2b 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Van-Buren-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=51937ef2030664df9d0faa390906bdc4 448w)
Nature Preserves
Black River Preserve
69401-69499 8th Avenue
Over two miles of easy-to-difficult hiking trails through forest and wetland with one mile of river frontage.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Black-River-Preserve.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9c50ff38ab4c7bb29e63af446b3df26b 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Black-River-Preserve.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3e7cb4993e6f90b504df3c572dcb1c3e 448w)
Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
18th Avenue
Mostly flat trails totaling 0.33 miles through the forest with barrier-free access to the beach. The stone-covered beach is perfect for rockhounding!
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Pilgrim-Haven.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=95460a95bd891f93e8e555d7f1ab2aef 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Pilgrim-Haven.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ca0a34fd10b310c6bc55636295ebcc55 448w)
Water Trails
Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail
The Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail along the Black River flows for 20 miles from Lions Park in Bangor to Black River Park in South Haven. The trail is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding. the Black River meanders through scenic wooded landscapes with shady, tree-lined banks and a sandy bottom. Nature abounds along the trail with deer, muskrats, turtles, and all manners of birds and wildflowers.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Bangor-South-Haven-Heritage-Water-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1ed9921d7ae22909ed17aa002da8545a 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Bangor-South-Haven-Heritage-Water-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5ffa20bab8f97c41458c0ef1089bc5d2 448w)
Lake Michigan Tournament Trail
The Lake Michigan Tournament Trail includes 13 lakefront communities in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, including South Haven. The communities host big lake fishing events as a part of the Tournament Trail.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Lake-Michigan-Tournament-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9da67d86c3c63f61df1414f4957077eb 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Lake-Michigan-Tournament-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=987681f2e9cad6ee6672ed3c665c21fc 448w)
Lake Michigan Water Trail Southwest
The southwest portion of the Lake Michigan Water Trail runs from the Michigan/Indiana state line to Holland, Michigan. Paddle along the Lake Michigan shoreline and enjoy spectacular sand dunes, wilderness areas, and quaint beach towns providing many opportunities to eat, shop, play, and rest. In South Haven, the North Beach concession and restroom building serve as a staging and refuge point for paddlers.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Lake-Michigan-Trail-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=aa085b72a2b7b8dd7ef5ab5c6427583e 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Lake-Michigan-Trail-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a60d950ff94e30d75a40221a2828588c 448w)
Scenic Driving Routes
Great Lake Fisheries Heritage Trail
260 Dyckman Avenue
The Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail is a story of people, fish, and fishing. It demonstrates how we relate to aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, water quality, and environmental change. Great Lakes fisheries heritage sites throughout Michigan offer residents and visitors a unique opportunity to explore and experience the dynamic social, technological, and environmental changes that have shaped today's fishery. In South Haven, visitors can visit the Michigan Maritime Museum to learn more about the history and heritage of Great Lake fishing.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Great-Lakes-Fisheries-Heritage-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f71707ef65131860277ff7c2b56f3242 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Great-Lakes-Fisheries-Heritage-Trail.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=615df3103e63a5f0296526547028e54b 448w)
Lake Michigan Circle Tour
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour features 105 lighthouses around the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Lake Michigan, and the shores of Lake Michigan in Indiana and Wisconsin. South Haven's Lighthouse is one of the stops along the Circle Tour.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Circle-Route.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=71e3333042fed9803f601f83cc348cf1 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Circle-Route.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=df2aff70579200939a3ff870d35df6fa 448w)
West Michigan Pike Byway Historical Trail
The West Michigan Pike, a Pure Michigan Byway, was originally constructed between 1911 and 1922 as one of the nation's first tourist roads. The entire route stretches more than 184 miles along Michigan's west coast and includes St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, South Haven, Saugatuck/Douglas, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Silver Lake. The historical West Michigan Pike route runs through South Haven along Broadway Street, Dyckman Avenue, and North Shore Drive.
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/West-Michigan-Pike-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=24a1f7da5e5de9050602d4c815fd9bdb 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/West-Michigan-Pike-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=555400daa39f337b396468b3274386d0 448w)
Only in South Haven
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Forest-Bathing-Header-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=e2f5dbee1d48111e5c533ad92631cd75 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/Forest-Bathing-Header-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=ef81575e5532f04c22afd195846dab5a 501w)
Forest Bathing in the Trails of South Haven
Did you ever take a walk in the woods and discover that you somehow felt better afterwards?
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/trail-bridge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5879&fp-y=0.5814&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=e1efe878dd7b4bd1be942fc888122254 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/trail-bridge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5879&fp-y=0.5814&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=a2fe673c40843d65abde0e87fbe5123b 500w)
A Bike Ride in South Haven for Great Lakes Enthusiasts
2019 has been a huge year for the city of South Haven. One hundred and fifty years ago, the city…
![](https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/people-on-boat.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.3202&fp-y=0.2947&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=31f8385bffa4e10f5e3e5a02cb3ae3ab 320w, https://southhaven.imgix.net/images/blogs/people-on-boat.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.3202&fp-y=0.2947&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=ca8d8f158bd4d447957bb8576a23718f 500w)
A Getaway for the Adventurous Couple in South Haven, Michigan
If you’re looking for some fun and excitement while out and about in South Haven with your significant other, look…