Saugatuck Dunes Figure-Eight

From the main parking area to the north (southern parking is for the Livingston Trail and Shore Acres Township Park), find the !North Trail (White) trailhead. It starts abruptly with a challenging climb through the woods, before descending along the North Trail: Inner Loop (White) toward the View to Lake Trail. Enjoy the sweeping view of the lake at the one-mile mark, before heading south along the lakeshore to link up with the Beach Trail at Trail marker C. For visitors looking for an easier option at this point, simply take the Beach Trail back to the starting point for a ~two-mile roundtrip.For this hike, continue back into the woods, ascending toward Township Park, keeping an eye out for a connector to the right (southeast). Take the connector and turn right again on the Connector toward Trail marker 9 and Livingston Trail (Red). Bear right again (south) to take the Livingston Trail (Red) out toward the lakeshore along some short and somewhat steep hills.Emerge from the woods to the lakeshore once again, this time at Trail marker D. Enjoy a flat stroll along the lake to the south for the final winding, two-mile return on the northern section of the South Trail (Blue) loop around Pelican Peak. This trail is in the Saugatuck Natural Area and adds a good amount of elevation to the hike, though it's a great way to see fewer people.