The Village Of Grand Beach

About The Village Of Grand Beach

Tucked away in southwest Michigan’s Van Buren County, the Village of Covert offers a peaceful, rural lifestyle surrounded by farmland, forests, and the natural beauty of Lake Michigan’s shoreline. With deep historic roots, close proximity to state parks and beaches, and a strong sense of local identity, Covert is an under-the-radar destination that appeals to those seeking authenticity, simplicity, and connection to nature.

Founded in the mid-19th century, Covert has a long-standing reputation as one of Michigan’s most historically inclusive communities. Uniquely, it was one of the first racially integrated towns in the United States, with its schools welcoming students of all backgrounds as early as the 1860s. Today, Covert remains proud of this legacy of diversity and community solidarity. The Covert Historical Museum showcases this rich cultural history and honors the town’s pioneering commitment to equality and civil rights.

Geographically, Covert is positioned just minutes from the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. The village is a short drive from several major public beaches, including Covert Park at Lake Michigan Beach—a serene, lesser-known beach destination offering picnic areas, a boardwalk, and breathtaking sunsets over the water. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying peaceful summer days without the crowds of more commercial lake towns.

Outdoor enthusiasts are also drawn to Van Buren State Park, located just north of Covert. This scenic park spans over 400 acres and features towering sand dunes, wooded trails, and expansive lakeshore access. The nearby Kal-Haven Trail, a 33-mile scenic biking and hiking route connecting South Haven to Kalamazoo, also passes close to the village, offering yet another opportunity to engage with the region’s natural beauty.

The Village of Covert itself is compact, quiet, and primarily residential, with a few essential businesses, local services, and community facilities. It’s the kind of place where neighbors know each other by name and where generations of families have lived side by side. The residential real estate market is modest and affordable, making Covert attractive to first-time homebuyers, retirees seeking a quiet lifestyle, and anyone looking to establish roots in a tight-knit, rural community.

Agriculture is central to Covert’s economy and landscape. The surrounding countryside is dotted with blueberry farms, fruit orchards, and fields of corn and soybeans. In fact, the Covert area is renowned for its blueberry production, with seasonal U-pick farms and fruit stands attracting visitors during the summer harvest months. These family-run farms contribute to the region’s agrarian charm and help define its sense of place.

Families in Covert are served by the Covert Public Schools district, which includes an elementary, middle, and high school. Though small in size, the district provides personalized instruction, a focus on student well-being, and extracurricular opportunities. The local library and community center also provide educational programming and resources for all ages, helping to build a strong foundation for youth and families.

Despite its rural feel, Covert is conveniently located near larger towns like South Haven, Hartford, and Benton Harbor, providing access to broader amenities, shopping, healthcare, and employment opportunities. The village’s location just off Interstate 196 also ensures easy connectivity to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and even Chicago, all within a reasonable drive.

Covert may not be a tourist hotspot, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a place for those who value privacy, local history, and the slower rhythms of rural life. Here, life is measured in seasons, family traditions, and quiet walks by the lake. For anyone seeking a lifestyle grounded in authenticity and natural beauty, the Village of Covert is a welcoming and enduring corner of Michigan’s southwest coast.