Lakewatches can be performed from the beach, dunes, or near the bathroom building at Oval Beach. The entrance road passes through quality wooded dunes.

Many species of waterbirds may be seen on the lake during fall, winter, and spring. Passerines can be seen in the vicinity of the parking lot, including the occasional Prairie Warbler.

Oval Beach, owned by City of Saugatuck, is a popular tourist destination. It is often very busy in the summer. A daily entry fee (currently $10) is charged during the summer months.

Oval Beach connects to trails leading to Mount Baldhead. One can hike north of Oval Beach into the scenic Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. It is a 0.8 mile walk along the beach from the north parking lot to the piers at the Kalamazoo River mouth. Please note these are all separate hotspots.