Nature has our backs. Let’s return the favor.
Our public preserves remain free and open from dawn to dusk – and your support helps keep them that way!
Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
South Haven Township • Van Buren County • 27 acres
It’s easy to lose track of an afternoon here wandering through the spring wildflowers, exploring the beech-maple forest trails, searching for water critters in Dyckman Creek, or losing yourself in a quest for the perfect rock on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
27 acres
South Haven Township
Van Buren County
It’s easy to lose track of an afternoon here wandering through the spring wildflowers, exploring the beech-maple forest trails, searching for water critters in Dyckman Creek, or losing yourself in a quest for the perfect rock on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Quick facts
Click to quickly jump to . . .
• Maps
• Getting there
• Natural features & conservation
• Preserve history
• Photo gallery
Parking
Asphalt lot with 2 accessible spaces
45 car capacity
Trails
Length: 0.33 mile
A gently sloping concrete path from the parking lot to the top of the beach offers sunsets and wave-watching for those using mobility devices. The beach itself is sandy and/or cobbled with stones, making accessibility more challenging.
Visitors may cross Dyckman Creek on a sturdy bridge, leading to a large open grassy area where a chimney stands alone, marking the site of the former Camp Pilgrim Haven’s dining hall.
The eastern portion of the preserve has narrow dirt trails leading through quiet woods, with subtle highlights such as ghost pipe in the summer. Watch for trip hazards such as exposed roots.
There are several overlooks with great views of Lake Michigan. Paths leading to these are steep, narrow, and prone to erosion-exposed roots and stones.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. Dog waste must be packed out. Click to learn more.
Restrooms
Pit toilets
Recreation
Accessible path to top of the beach, hiking, paddling, scenic views, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, swimming, wildlife viewing.
Help keep the beach rocky at Pilgrim Haven!
Pilgrim Haven’s beach is sandy in some years – in other years, it can be very rocky. These changeable conditions are due to winter storms interacting with underwater land contours. Please remember that visitors are allowed to collect a small number of rocks for study or as souvenirs but may not remove large quantities of rocks (such as 5-gallon buckets).
Maps
Getting there
Natural features
From the pebbled beach along Lake Michigan to lush beech-maple forests that host abundant spring wildflowers to the picture-perfect creek spilling into the lake, Pilgrim Haven Natural Area offers a beautiful sample of lakeshore habitats.
This variety provides important stopover habitat for migrating birds and monarch butterflies following the Lake Michigan flyway, and volunteers and staff have planted and maintain a butterfly wayside garden for these tiny travelers.
Nature has our backs.
Let’s return the favor.
Our public preserves remain free and open from dawn to dusk – and your support helps keep them that way!
History
History