Mount Baldhead
Saugatuck, MI
A wooden stairway of 302 steps climbs a dune above the Kalamazoo River to a view over Saugatuck, and trails lead down to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan. Park at the foot of the stairs on Park Street.
Mount Baldhead is a sand dune about 76 metres (250 feet) high in Saugatuck, Michigan, across the Kalamazoo River from the town centre. It sits between the river and Lake Michigan and is also known as Mt. Baldy.
The climb is a wooden staircase of 303 steps that starts at a parking lot by the river. At the top, an observation deck gives wide views over Saugatuck and the countryside beyond. A staircase and a watchtower already stood here in 1887. During the Cold War a radar station of the SAGE system occupied the dune. Dogs are no longer allowed on the steps.
On the wooded west side, paths lead down to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan, which the city of Saugatuck opened in 1936. To combine both, park at the foot of the stairs, climb up and follow the paths to the beach. Plan for the walk back.
- Nearest town
- Saugatuck, MI
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 42.6532, -86.2105
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© LadyDragonflyCC -Ready for Ingham Co. Fair from Michigan, USA · CC BY 2.0Windmill Island Gardens
© wsilver · CC BY 2.0Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights
© Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0University of Notre Dame
© David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA · CC BY 2.0Studebaker National Museum
Campsites nearby
- Campit Outdoor ResortMotorhome stopover7 mi from Mount BaldheadTentsMotorhomes
- TriPonds Family Camp ResortCampsite16 mi from Mount BaldheadTentsCaravansDogs allowed
- South Haven Jellystone ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Mount BaldheadTentsMotorhomesWi-Fi
- Warner Camp RV ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Mount BaldheadTentsMotorhomes
- Giles CampgroundMotorhome stopover18 mi from Mount BaldheadTentsMotorhomes
- Dumont Lake CampgroundMotorhome stopover18 mi from Mount BaldheadTentsMotorhomes
All campsites in Michigan · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mount Baldhead?
Mount Baldhead is in Saugatuck, MI, at GPS 42.6532, -86.2105. It is about 11 mi from Holland.
Can you camp near Mount Baldhead?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Campit Outdoor Resort, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 31 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Mount Baldhead?
Mount Baldhead is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake Michigan’s sunset coast: Saugatuck to Ludington.
What is there to see near Mount Baldhead?
Places worth a stop nearby: Windmill Island Gardens (11 mi), Grand Haven South Pierhead Lights (28 mi), University of Notre Dame (66 mi) and Studebaker National Museum (68 mi).
When is the best time to visit Mount Baldhead?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)