South Haven Lighthouse

I really like this lighthouse. The one at Grand Haven is actually my favorite in this part of the state but this is a close second. This lighthouse is great for getting some good pictures and where it can beat the Grand Haven lighthouse is that the crowds don’t seem to be as bad in the summer months. It does get crowded but just not as crowded. The downside to this beach and lighthouse is that it has fairly limited parking. Overall though a really nice place to go and either take a swim or just soak in the view and take some pictures of a really nice lighthouse.

Beautiful photo opportunities and lovely sunset. Definitely worth a stroll if you visit South Haven.

Just awesome! Quick trip from Chicago for a relaxing vacay! The beach is clean and the water is crystal clear. We went on a hot July day and it wasn’t too crowded. No it’s not the ocean but for Michigan it’s so good!

The lighthouse is at the end of the pier, but it’s not very big and since you can’t go inside, there’s not much to see. However, the area is pretty and it’s nice just to be able to see out onto the water.

I’m sad and let me tell you why:
I looked up both South & North beach on Unilocal to see where the lighthouse was and still went to North beach. As I stated in my North Beach review, we didn’t know we weren’t gonna be able to access the lighthouse from the North beach, so we didn’t get to walk on it. We’re gonna go back for that reason alone! We did set out to go to the lighthouse though. We found our way to the South end of the beach and were surprised to find out that they would be putting on a fireworks show. People were entering South beach at a rapid speed and parking was even worse on this side because of the fireworks. Blankets of families were all over the place and we marched our way into a space in the field grass on the beach. The pier was shut down from tourists because they would be releasing the fireworks from there. The summer air had turned cooler as the sun was preparing it’s descent and upon learning the fireworks were still 2.5 hours away, we decided to sit on this end of the beach just long enough to watch the sun set and then leave.
And we did just that. The people near us were all friendly and having a great time. There was a young man playing his guitar, seemingly all by himself and I watched him and took shadowy pictures of him holding his instrument while the sun danced downwards. South Beach had no police. It also had a shortage of younger people. This side was just as long as the North side, so it’s possible that the younger crowd was closer to the pier than we were, but from where we were, this beach was the family beach and North is the Party Beach. Good note to selves. Next time, we will spend our greater time at South and then peak in on North. We watched the boats congregate and gather together for the fireworks show and listened to random conversations of people discussing the upcoming show. There was a lot of grassy areas on this end. There were virtually NONE on north beach. The grass was pointy and long and it hurt to step on. Ask me how I know o. O !!!
But the area we found was so wonderful and peaceful and in direct line of the sun.
You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks from this side. Prices were dependent on the amount of time you keep the equipment. More children were in the water on this side and everyone just looked genuinely happy. I loved it and can’t wait to return.

This lighthouse is awesome! My family rented a house on the beach not too far away so we walked out to the lighthouse one day. There is a little beach next to it which we did not go to. It was pretty crowded so seemed to be popular!
The lighthouse is not that big but walking out gives a lovely view of the lake and boats out there. The pier was a little cracked and uneven which made pushing a stroller a small challenge, but in general, it was a nice walk out there. Very picturesque.

Beautiful beach to spend a day! Always easy parking, if you arrive by 11am, clean beach and water. Pier is worth a walk, beach is beautiful as seen from the end.

This place is pretty cool. Quite literally. My husband and I are from Texas where the most snow we see in a year is maybe a max of 2ins. When we got out to the Lighthouse yesterday (2÷13÷14), the whole beach was covered in at least a foot of snow and the Lake it self was FROZEN! From what I understand, over 80% frozen.
There were several people walking around and out on the lake, many of which were locals that were just as surprised with the lake’s conditions as we were. We walked out on the lake all the way down to just below the Lighthouse and even into the jetty. It was a very cool sight to see and an awesome experience. Now I can check off «Walk on Water» from my bucket list. :)
P. S. — During the winter, there was no charge for parking although there were signs up that said otherwise. Maybe during the summer (peak season) there is a charge to park.

We didn’t even notice any graffiti. It was very pretty at sunset. Worth the short walk from downtown to see.

The graffiti leaves a lot to be desired but overall, the pier and lighthouse is a beautiful little lakeside walk. It’s nice any time of year too (except maybe in the dead of winter lol).

We have been to many light houses all over the U.S. I was really disappointed that it wasn’t open. That’s the fun of it. Going into, and climbing the stairs. I know this one is only 35 ft tall, but still. I still give it 4 stars because I like lighthouses.

This review is for the lighthouse and the south beach in South Haven. The lighthouse is beautiful and a must see when you come to South Haven. Its not the biggest lighthouse, standing close to 35 feet tall. It was just beautiful to see. The south beach was one of the nicest beaches I have ever been too. Only a few rocks here and there in the sand. A nice sand bar 20 feet out. My children loved the beach. We spent time here Saturday and Sunday and it wasn’t that crowded. Easy to get in and out.

Loved the beach & lighthouse. Beach was super busy, found a good parking & food was acceptable, elephant ears was a fun treat to have while watching the ships come in… We got to watch the lady actually make them which was a bonus.

Loved walking out to the pier to see this lighthouse. Of course, we didn’t walk too far because it is winter and it was windy and freezing! You’ve seen this lighthouse in a million photos, so it is neat to see it in person. Loved watching the waves crash into the pier.
This is obviously a must see when you are visiting South Haven!

One of my favorite old t-​shirts sported drawings of Great Lakes lighthouses, and one of my bucket list trips is a circle tour to see them all, someday. Most are lovely, but not nearly as large as you might imagine. The SHL is a good one to visit, a sure sign that you are near great beaches and blueberries.

Bulldogs + beach + lake = heaven. Took our bullies to the beach approx 2 times per day on our visit to South Haven. They loved the early morning and late night strolls. Our oldest especially liked the swimming lessons on the sand bar.
But as far as beaches go it was great but a little rocky. Also a decent amount of seaweed in places. However the scenery and condition of the beach is great and would head back.

I loved the walk from the shops down to the South Haven Lighthouse. The view from a distance is just as beautiful as it is once you get there and see all the happy boaters. I’m visiting my bf’s family from GRap, and I can’t wait to come back and visit SH again.

On a sunny day in July or August when the waves are big and you are standing at the end of the pier watching boaters bob up and down and the beach-​goers running into the water, it’s pure bliss. On the other hand, my real reason for giving it 5 stars is that in the off-​season it’s just this magical beacon where I have seen 25 foot waves crashing into it and the wind whipping sand into the empty houses on the north shore. Rocks my world.

Great lighthouse, be sure to check out St Joe lighthouse as well.

South Haven
Lighthouse
is one of the most
photogaphed lighthouses
in the country.
It’s a strange little lighthouse, at least by my Northeast perspective. It’s only 35 feet tall and stands at the end of a long pier. A catwalk, preached on long legs leads out to the light. The purpose of the catwalk becomes very obvious in nasty weather.
The light was first built in 1872 and rebuilt in 1903. It originally had a 5^th order Fresnel Lens but I’m not sure where the lens is now. It’s funny how many of these huge, priceless lens manage to disappear. I’m sure there are some that have been sitting in ancient garages for decades, covered in bird poop, just waiting to be discovered.
The whole area around the light is absolutely gorgeous. A small beach is nearby for swimming and a park and playground is located on the premises. Nice place to hike or bike.
The great part is that you can walk all the way out on the pier to the light. You’re not allowed on the catwalk but just walking on the pier gives a fantastic experience. Unfortunately I was out here on a a calm summer day. I have seen heavy weather pictures of huge waves sweeping over the pier and hammering the lighthouse and in those conditions even walking up on the high catwalk would be a challenge. I bet it would be fun trying though. Other common motifs show the pier illuminated by it’s many lights in the dark or silhouetted against the setting sun. Incredible pictures taken in the winter show the entire structure covered in thick ice.
This small light has a very photographic personality and numerous artists have taken advantage of this fact. We even bought a cool photograph of huge waves sweeping over the pier and light in very nasty weather. One more lighthouse pic we have find a place for when we get home.