Just west of the charming Michigan town of Saugatuck and on the opposite side of the Kalamazoo River, you can climb Mount Baldhead. This 1-mile out-and-back trail, between the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan, includes 303 stairs to the top of Mount Baldhead, a towering dune rising about 800 feet above sea level. At its peak, you can look out from its observation deck for a peek-a-boo view through the trees to the town and Lake Kalamazoo below. Walking down the back end of the dune takes you along a sandy path to award-winning Oval Beach.
Climbing Mount Baldhead is a fun challenge for hikers and walkers on a short trail. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for an outdoor adventure, this experience is a must-do for the area and one I recommend in this Saugatuck activities guide. Below, and as a repeat Saugatuck visitor for over ten years, I share everything you need to know to hike Mount Baldhead, along with some essential tips to help you make the most of your experience.
Mount Baldhead: A brief history.
This dune, shaped by wind and erosion, has been a landmark for centuries. Its originally bare—now more tree-covered—sandy summit earned it the nickname “Baldhead.” Then, in the 1950s, it became home to its still present bulbous radar tower, an intact leftover from the Cold War era threat of the Soviet Union. Over the years, the area around the dune has developed into a hiking spot for the nearby towns of Saugatuck and Douglas, known for their art scenes, farm-to-table eateries, charming main streets, and beautiful beaches like Oval Beach, Douglas Beach Park, or in Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
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The Climb: How to get here & what to expect.
Climbing Mount Baldhead is a relatively short but steep hike, offering natural beauty and a physical challenge. Begin the walk from its trailhead in Mount Baldhead Park, where you can immediately start climbing its 303-step wooden staircase.
Find free gravel parking, a pavilion picnic area, and restrooms in Mount Baldhead Park on the west bank of the Kalamazoo River. Visitors also use this lot to visit the small Saugatuck-Douglas History Center across the street, in a historic pump house, and a picturesque spot on the river.
See an AllTrails recording of our one-way walk to Oval Beach below. Our walk is slightly longer because we began from our lodging at the Holiday Hill Resort, a three-minute walk from Mount Baldhead Park.
Between Memorial and Labor Day, you can take the Saugatuck Chain Ferry west across the river instead of driving to the Mount Baldhead trailhead. From where you disembark, it is less than a five-minute walk to Mount Baldhead Park.
The staircase.
The 303-wooden step staircase begins this hike, is well-maintained, shaded with tree coverage, and features several rest platforms to catch your breath and to turn around to see how far you’ve climbed. This walk up the stairs can quickly become strenuous, especially for little kids, the less fit, or on a hot day, but the effort is worth it.
The summit.
At the top of the stairs, there is a wooden observation deck. To the east, enjoy a birds-eye view of Saugatuck and Lake Kalamazoo, visible through a gap in the trees during summer and fall. To the west, you’ll see the radar tower, and if you visit in the winter and spring when the tree cover is thinner, you may also see the vast expanse of Lake Michigan stretching to the horizon.
The descent.
After you’ve enjoyed the view, you have two options for descending. You can take the staircase back or follow the sandy trail down the western slope of the dune that leads directly to the parking area at Oval Beach. If you plan to do this, bring along sports sandals or flip-flops for your walk down if you are not already planning on wearing them. Otherwise, you will get sand everywhere in your sneakers and socks or hiking shoes. Or, you can remove your shoes entirely and walk down this sandy trail barefoot, which we did during a July visit.
However, know that the last portion of this trail is unshaded, and on hot, sunny summer days, the sand, even with sandals back on, starts to feel scorching to the point of being painful. It is essential to know this if you plan to do this walk with little kids or anyone with sensitive feet.
The return.
Congrats! You’ve walked your way to beautiful Oval Beach! After some relaxation, soaking up the view, and resting by the water, you will want to head back. To return, you have two options. Retrace your steps on the same trail to your vehicle parked at Mount Baldhead Park, or in the summer months, catch the Saugatuck Chain Ferry back to town.
Alternatively, plan to pre-book a pickup from the Saugatuck Interurban, a demand-response public bus. If you plan to walk back, know that hiking up a dune is more challenging than coming down. You’ll walk uphill through the sand to the observation deck and back down the stairs. As two fit adults and a fit teenager, we found this walk doable and appreciated the exertion, but we did find it more tiring than we expected.
More hikes to do in the area.
While in the area, consider adding on two more hikes. First, while at Oval Beach, you can explore the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area trails that spur off the northernmost Oval Beach parking lots, including this 2.7-mile loop route perfect for Lake Michigan views. Or, from Mount Baldhead Park, walk 15 minutes northeast along very quiet Park Street, which runs parallel to the Kalamazoo River, to catch the Crow’s Nest trailhead to explore its 2.6-mile loop route. Alternatively, you can park at the small parking area near the trailhead just after Park Street curves toward the Ox-Bow School.
If you love to hike, consider carving out time to visit Saugatuck Dunes State Park, an easy 15-minute drive from town. This guide gives you all the information about visiting the park and hiking its trails.
5 things to know before climbing Mount Baldhead.
While climbing Mount Baldhead is a straightforward hike, a few more insights and tips can help you prepare for your day and make the most of your adventure.
1. It might help you avoid traffic to Oval Beach.
On busy summer weekends, the traffic and vehicle lineup to find or wait for parking at Oval Beach can impossibly back up the entire length of Perryman Street to Park Street. If you walk to Oval Beach via the Mount Baldhead trail instead of driving, you can avoid the frustrating experience of wasting precious vacation time and a beautiful day stuck in traffic. And if you are staying in the town of Saugatuck during the summer, consider leaving your car behind altogether. If the weather is good and the Chain Ferry is operating (typically between Memorial Day and Labor Day, visit its Facebook page to confirm day-of schedules), take it across from Saugatuck and walk the few minutes to the Mount Baldhead trailhead.
The parking lot at Mount Baldhead Park can also fill on busy summer weekends. As no alternative public parking exists in the area, keep this possibility in mind as you plan your day.
2. Bring water, snacks, and beach supplies.
When we recently hiked the Mount Baldhead trail in summer, we planned to include a few hours to swim and enjoy Oval Beach. With this in mind, we set out for our walk with daypacks stocked with water, premade picnic sandwiches and snacks bought from Isabel’s Market, sunscreen, hats, a beach mat, and towels.
Although Oval Beach does have a concession stand in summer, it sells a limited number of lunch and snack items. The stand closes after Labor Day. Expect to be able to refill your water bottles next to the Oval Beach restrooms. On a fall visit, we brought water, towels to sit on, and snacks.
3. Expect low to no cell signal, especially at Oval Beach.
We are Verizon carriers and get zero cell signal at Oval Beach. Keep the possibility of having no or spotty cell service in mind if you need to be in touch. Or if you anticipate that you may not want to walk the return route uphill. If this is likely, you will want to schedule a pickup before your hike with the Interurban, a friend or family member, or a local taxi.
4. On hot summer days, be prepared to protect your feet.
The sandy, unshaded bottom portion of this trail closest to Oval Beach on hot summer days will scorch your feet. You will want to avoid planning to walk barefoot in this section. We walked the trail in flip-flops and Crocs, and parts still felt uncomfortable. If you have little kids, the heat of the sand might be too much, and you might have to carry them.
5. Choose the right time to climb.
In the summer, the best times to climb Mt. Baldhead are in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperatures are cooler and the light is softer. Doing this not only makes the climb more comfortable but also enhances the views from the summit. Plus, you are more likely to be able to find parking at the Mt. Baldhead Park lot on busy summer days and weekends.
Related reading.
If you plan to visit the Saugatuck area or like to take road trips around the US Midwest, check out my related articles below to help you get the information you need to plan your best trips.
- 31 Things to Do in Saugatuck, MI You Will Love
- Saugatuck, MI Best Walks: Crow’s Nest Trail
- Where to Stay in Saugatuck: 8 Amazing Areas
- Meals to Love in Saugatuck, MI: 10 Best Restaurants
- The Best Places to Stay in Saugatuck for Families
- Saugatuck Dunes State Park: All You Need to Know
- Oval Beach in the Fall: Your Complete Guide
- Douglas Beach Park, MI: Everything You Need to Know
- Fall Trip: 10 Wonderful Family Things to Do in Saugatuck
- Your Family Will Love These 30 Road Trips Near Chicago
Love to read? Check out my curated list of books about or set in Michigan that I recommend.
Feedback & questions.
Did this article help? Do you have questions about an upcoming visit? Or updates to the information shared? Please post in the comments below, and I will respond.
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