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South Beach Park

4.3 (18 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

South Beach Park Photos

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Chelsi B.

South Beach is a beautiful park in the South Haven area that is popular for swimming so bring your bathing suit and enjoy a refreshing dip into Lake Michigan. Stick around for a sunset for an extra special moment. The lighthouse, concessions, playground and historical memorials allow for more activities to be enjoyed than just swimming. I've always been a fan of lighthouses and gone on several tours of different ones around the country, so I appreciated the beauty of the lighthouse here at South Beach. No unleashed animals are allowed according to the state website, so bring a leash if you plan on bringing your pet. While we were there nobody had pets so I was curious if the rule I read was even accurate because I was convinced someone would have a leashed dog on a nice day. $10 parking fee per car but if you are willing to walk a bit there are some spots to get free parking elsewhere. Bathrooms are available and was clean when I used it. Overall a very enjoyable beach.

Elyse F.

Small beach on the shores of Lake Michigan, located adjacent to the lighthouse. Being so close to the lighthouse adds a bit of additional character to the skyline. Water is fairly shallow for a good way out. The beach is small enough to be a good choice for families. A snack bar is located on the lighthouse side. As is a place to rent bikes. Between the beach and the marina is a splash pad for kids. It is a great way to rinse all that beach sand off of them. A paid parking area is the closest parking to the beach. Limited free parking is located by the marina. Even if you don't want to take a dip in the water, or sun on the sand, this park makes for an enjoyable walk while visiting South Haven.

Mari H.

Growing up in Michigan there are few things you get to look forward to once it starts to get warmer. That would be Lake Michigan and if you're from the Kalamazoo area like I am, that would mean South Haven. There is a North and South Beach as many people have mentioned and there are two different "feels" to each of them for sure. I do find it pretty funny to see people mention how crowded the beaches are though. When you get MAYBE 3 months of acceptable beach weather out of 12 months, isn't that something you should except?? People will be there in large numbers so go early if you want parking just like any other beach! Things at the beach close at dusk... so you'll just have to be okay drying off and staying in your bathing suit if you stay later or for sunset. Honestly, I have never changed before going home from a beach you just put on a dress or beach cover, in Michigan or in my current state of Florida so I don't see the problem with bathrooms being closed. If it does bother you that much, South Haven has many many options as far as restaurants that you can pop into and change real quick. Grab some food or a drink while you are at it and support local!!! My latest visit to South Beach was to take my boyfriend for his first time visit to any of the Great Lakes. As with most people, he had no idea really how big they really are and was in awe. It was later in the season and for us Floridians (yes, I am one now) it was freezing and we were in hoodies. The park, the lighthouse and the beach itself reminded me of so many things that I miss about Michigan and really just how beautiful it truly is. Even in winter here, the ice along the pier and on the lighthouse are picture perfect but PLEASE do not go out there when the weather is bad or waves are high/strong. Year after year we grew up hearing about senseless deaths of those going out on dares or whatever the reason. I miss you Pure Michigan!!

Crissy R.

This is probably one of the more crowded Lake MI beaches I've been to since I've been in Michigan. There are two sides to it, North & South. The south beach side has the lighthouse and I feel is more tailored to families and children. The North part is a bit larger and you have more room to spread out. Parking for the day is $10. If you opt to use the coin machines for a few hours, be sure to bring plenty of change. There are concessions located on site and a small beach store selling merchandise. There are also restrooms on site and some stalls to change out of your wet swim suit. Overall, I enjoyed a warm sunny day along the shore line. The walk up the pier to come up close to the lighthouse was spectacular as well. Great experience as well as a great place to come and relax with the family for a day.

View of the pier from South Beach
Jessica V.

This is, perhaps, the least favorite for me, of all the South Haven beaches. But still, LAKE MICHIGAN. Pros: restrooms and changing areas 2 concession stands right by the Black River, so you can see the boats heading out, or in at dusk kids play area warmer water than north beach less waves than north beach the pier and the lighthouse - gorgeous! Cons: restrooms close at dusk, so if you're swimming, no place to change paid parking before 6pm SO MANY PEOPLE. You will be crowded both in the water, and on the beach Why do we still go here sometimes? If it is a particularly beautiful sunset, we'll come to take photos, because the lights on the pier are lovely at night. If waves are high, they will be much less here. But honestly? Head to north beach, unless you're walking from downtown, and just want a straight shot to the big lake.

Brian P.

Not the first visit, but still a good time! Good to get a solid walk on the shoreline, pier, along with some improv hiking. Still open during the pandemic!!

Beach on the pier side

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Ask the Community - South Beach Park

Are beaches worth the trip to S Haven with the high water barriers? Are shops operating such as wineries

Yes, should still be enjoyable. From what I've heard, most shops (Wineries included) will be still operating!

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Review Highlights - South Beach Park

The lighthouse, concessions, playground and historical memorials allow for more activities to be enjoyed than just swimming.

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North Beach

North Beach

4.3(21 reviews)
0.2 mi

North Beach is a little harder to get to than South Beach, which is easily accessible from the main…read morestrip of downtown. The entrance to the beach area is a tiny little side road that goes through the beach neighborhood houses. If you can navigate to it, it's totally worth the visit. The beach area is massive, and has small swings and a play area for kids, volleyball nets, and a standalone ice cream shop. Since it's across the canal, there are generally a lot less people on this side as well, and also several vacation rentals that sit right on the edge of the beach. I love riding my bike down here and watching the sunset .

I grew up going to both North or South Beach in South Haven and really have never thought too much…read moreabout which side I like more than the other other than sometimes it was based on crowd numbers. This trip, I had my Dad in tow, and he always loves the piers and walks out to the end, fisherman at heart. I hadn't put my toes in the warm Michigan sand or water since before moving to Florida in 2007, so I was excited about that and let my Dad wander off with my nephew while I walked along the water on the very short beach area now. I didn't care, I walked slowly along the water and let others walk around me. What I did love was that they now have boardwalks on the beach that let you get out to almost the water without having to walk on the hot yellow sand. In Clearwater, we have white sand so we can walk as slowly as we want without burning our feet. It's definitely something I love and don't miss about Michigan sand but bring up childhood memories. South Haven will always hold a special place in my heart, North and South Beach.

Photos
North Beach - Playground

Playground

North Beach - Beach

Beach

North Beach - Beach

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Beach

Packard Park - View of Pier at Packard Park and Beach Access

Packard Park

3.8(4 reviews)
0.6 mi

Want a quiet, peaceful beach on Lake Michigan? One that has picnic tables, a ramped deck on top of…read morethe dune (thank you, city of South Haven, for providing handicap accessibility), and best of all in this town, a restroom with changing areas that stays open past dusk? Enter Packard Park - it's 2 parks north of North Beach, is free, and is the quietest beach in town. You'll head down a short dune and then find the big lake. People bring chairs or towels. The entrance to the water is sandy, and the bottom is firmer than that of South Beach, by the pier. You can see the pier in the distance, just south. Up by the parking lot, you'll see several picnic tables, a grill, and a restroom. The women's has two toilet stalls and two changing stalls - WITH DOORS! thank you. The park is open until 10. Often, when we swim at dusk, we get out of the water too late to change in the North or South Beach bathrooms. NO worries of that here. No lifeguard. Plenty of parking, and a grassy area for kids to run around on if you're cooking dinner before (or after) swimming.

The park itself does not offer much. It has little shade but it does offer sunset views and…read morebenches. There are plenty of other viewing spots at the neighboring beaches.

Photos
Packard Park - View of Lake Michigan at Packard Park and Beach Access

View of Lake Michigan at Packard Park and Beach Access

Packard Park - Next to the handicap parking spot, but looking right (north) to the deck area. There's a ramp up, and a seating area (with picnic tables)

Next to the handicap parking spot, but looking right (north) to the deck area. There's a ramp up, and a seating area (with picnic tables)

Packard Park - Boardwalk (dykeman park entrance)

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Boardwalk (dykeman park entrance)

South Beach Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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