Allegan County
From its rural western region, dotted with small towns like Hopkins, Burnips, and Shelbyville, past the city of Allegan, to the 25 miles of shoreline and dunes, Allegan County encompasses many of the iconic elements of West Michigan. The region stretches from South Haven to Holland and is cut diagonally by the Kalamazoo River as it meanders it way toward Lake Michigan. Today, Allegan’s technology and light industry sectors are developing quickly. Visitors often stay in Holland, Douglas, or Saugatuck for the many chances to shop, encounter art, and get to the beach. Outdoor junkies have no shortage of places to explore from the miles of trails, to the vast shorelines, to the Allegan State Game Area which boasts places to cross country ski, snow mobile, horseback ride, and hunt. Offering the peace and quiet of the countryside, the bustle of small cities and the crash of lake waves on the dunes, Allegan County holds something for both the tourist and the permanent resident alike.
Holland is located on the border between Allegan and Ottawa counties and is known internationally for its acclaimed Tulip Time Festival, a celebration of Dutch heritage. From the award-winning downtown to the white sandy beaches, visitors fall in love with Holland’s small town charm and big city amenities. For more information about the Holland area, visit the Holland section of our site.
Allegan is the county seat and features riverfront boardwalk, historic downtown, and large fairgrounds. It is also home to Perrigo, a maker of generic drugs and county’s largest employer.
Douglas is a vibrant, growing community with a distinctive balance between established neighborhoods with historic buildings, and new, exciting businesses, and residential developments.
Saugatuck is home to one of Conde’ Nast Traveler’s “Top 25 Beaches in the World” and was recognized as USA Today’s “Best Small Coastal Town.” The city offers Lake Michigan shoreline, sunsets, dunes, an active downtown, an artistic, open-minded vibe, and numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.
Fennville is located in the heart of the southwest Michigan’s thriving agricultural region.
Otsego is located in southwestern Michigan on highway M-89 and has a population of 3,956. A designated Main Street Community, Otsego is redeveloping the downtown and providing many community activities for all ages throughout the year.
South Haven spans Allegan and Van Buren Counties and is a beach town that offers lakeside activities, access to the Kal-Haven Trail, and the National Blueberry Festival, held in August.
Wayland is located off of U.S. 131 in the northeastern corner of Allegan County. The growing community is was established in 1868 and currently has a population of 4,079.
Allegan Area Arts Council was started in 1998 exists to initiate and stimulate interest and participation in the arts for the Allegan area through programming, supporting local artists, promoting public art, and more.
Arts and Eats Tour is a free self-driving tour of Allegan and Barry Counties. Participants get to chat with local artisans in their studios, see working farms, and sample local food from area eateries. Visitors will discover specialty food crops, fiber products, and heritage animals. The tour explores rural areas, forests, and towns via back roads, and out-of-the-way places.
Allegan Annual Art Hop invites people to roam downtown Allegan to see art, hear music, and drink hot chocolate every December.
Allegan County Fair is one of Michigan’s most popular county fairs with live performances, animals, a historic village, antiques, agricultural activities, and much more.
The Allegan Antiques Market hosts over 400 exhibitors and offers a large variety of antiques and collectibles with many specializing in glass, pottery, china, primitives, advertising, vintage jewelry, sport and fishing, furniture, and more.
Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency is located in Saugatuck and offers a wide range of opportunities for artists at all stages in their career. The organization offers year-round programs that cater to degree-seeking students, professional artists, and those new to the field.
Arts and Eats Tour is a free self-driving tour of Allegan and Barry Counties and the surrounding rural region. Participants get to chat with local artisans in their studios, see working farms featuring specialty food crops, fiber, and heritage animals and sample that local food from at area eateries. The tour explores rural areas, forests, and towns via back roads and out-of-the-way places.
National Blueberry Festival is held in August and has drawn visitors for over 50 years with food, basketball, wine, yoga, live music, lots of blueberries, and more.
Saugatuck Center for the Arts organizes exhibits, stage performances, workshops, a farmers market, and more.
Allegan County Community Foundation has been part of the community since 1965. Through the generosity of many, the foundation has put millions back into the community through non-profits.
Community Action of Allegan County helps people with food assistance
Glenn Community Center is a non-profit organization, organized in the community to promote activities which are recreational, charitable, and educational in purpose.
Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired serves adults and youth with low vision clinics, rehabilitation services, and support groups throughout 13 West Michigan counties.
Gun Lake Tribal Headquarters of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians.
Saugatuck and Douglas Beaches span 10 miles of coastline and feature six public beaches.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a day-use park along a secluded strip of Lake Michigan coastland offering 2.5 miles of shore line. The park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall. The park’s terrain varies from steep slopes to rolling hills.
Allegan State Game Area contains nearly 50,000 acres of land ideal for trail-riding, camping, birdwatching, canoeing, and hiking.
Kal-Haven Trail is a 34-mile, crushed limestone path connecting South Haven and Kalamazoo. The trail meanders through wooded areas, past farm lands and over rivers and streams.
Fennville Farm Unit is part of the Allegan State Game Area. This 4,100 acre space is popular for Canadian goose hunting.
Innovative education that cultivates global leaders and thinkers, and makes a positive impact. We are committed to each child’s academic, physical, and emotional growth to ensure success of the whole child.
Spectrum Pennock Hospital provides primary, inpatient, outpatient, and women’s care as well as surgery, and features a health and wellness center and a retirement village for independent and assisted living options.
Allegan County Medical Care Community has been providing quality skilled nursing, long-term health care, and elderly care services to the residents of Allegan County and beyond since 1971. ACMCC is owned and operated by Allegan County as a not-for-profit subdivision. Care and medical services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis without regard for a resident’s ability to pay.
Renewed Hope strives to meet the needs of uninsured and under-insured adults living in Allegan County through providing medical, emotional, and spiritual care in a holistic environment by utilizing the skills of volunteer staff and medical personnel.
River Ridge Retirement Village offers independent and assisted living, day care, respite/short-term care, and memory care services.
Resthaven offers services ranging from independent and assisted living to rehabilitation, nursing care, and dementia services.
Did you know?
Our website has over 1,000 linked resources. We know a lot of things about West Michigan, but can’t be experts on everything. If you notice something that is out of date or we’re missing something that’s really special about your community, please let us know via our contact page.
