Muskegon State Park beach (views! + near dunes + lighthouse!) on Lake Michigan ⚓ Channel Beach ⚓ Michigan travel blog

Hi there!

There are really nice beaches in Muskegon State Park, including the Muskegon State Park beach that is by the channel and lighthouse!

If you’re looking for a great Lake Michigan beach to visit, then you just might want to consider Channel Beach! 

This is probably one of the most popular areas of Muskegon State Park to visit for a day trip.

There’s a wide stretch of sand that extends far back from the lake. 

While Muskegon State Park has about 2 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, most stretches of beach don’t go back very far from the water.

This can make Channel Beach feel like a special beach in Muskegon State Park!

There are sand dunes nearby too!

Swimming in Lake Michigan at Muskegon State Park

Some people may find the water to be cold in Lake Michigan, but it’s generally considered possible to swim in the lake in the summer and tons of people are in the water. 

You might expect water temperature to be mid to high 60s in Lake Michigan at Muskegon State Park in the middle of summer. Beginning of summer may still be in the 50s. Check Muskegon’s current water temperature.

In many ways, because Lake Michigan is pretty big, it can have ocean-like tendencies. Rip currents exist, which means dangers exist, and it’s important to be aware of this. 

What’s near the Channel Beach?

Small sand dunes next to the beach

Off to the left as you’re facing the lake, there’s a small sand dune area that you can climb up.

Try to avoid walking on the dune grass though! It’s said to be fragile. 

Local Girl Scouts dune grass project

Muskegon Channel

Also off to the left is the Muskegon Channel.

This can be called the Channel Beach because it’s pretty much right next to the channel. This channel connects Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.

This is also the path of the Michigan – Wisconsin ferry that goes from Muskegon to Milwaukee and Milwaukee to Muskegon.

Muskegon lighthouses

The channel area is where you can find Muskegon lighthouses.

From Channel Beach, if you look over towards the left as you’re facing the lake, you’ll see lighthouses off in the distance. You can walk over towards the lighthouses, by walking across the sand dunes, or by making it a beach walk. 

You can walk out on the “pier” of the Muskegon North Channel pier directly when you’re coming from Channel Beach. For this pier you’ll be walking across big rocks the whole way though. So it’s probably best if you are wearing proper shoes and have good balance if you want to walk to the end. Also for safety reasons, it’s not good to do this walk if the Lake Michigan waves are rough.

You will also see the Muskegon South Pier Lighthouse. And from the Channel Beach side, you will only be able to SEE it. You can’t walk out to it because it’s on the other side of the channel and there’s no direct access. It it possible to also walk out to the south pier lighthouse, but you will have to drive all the way around to get to it on the other side of the channel.

Sand dunes behind the beach

And then on the other side of the road, there’s also a dune trail system if you want to explore from the Channel Beach parking lot too. Take lots of water and snacks just in case! I actually unintentionally ended up at Channel Beach while on the trails after making a wrong turn. (I started the hike at Snug Harbor.)

Camping at Channel campground

There’s a Muskegon State Park campground that’s located about a 10 minute walk from the beach, Channel Campground. There is also the Lake Michigan campground on the other side of the park. You can make camping reservations through the Michigan State Park reservation website.

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And now…

More PHOTOS of Muskegon State Park’s best beach!

For google maps, your destination can be the Channel Beach Pavilion.

There’s a pretty good size parking lot at the beach, and there are beach facilities here that include bathrooms which were open in July 2020 when I was there.

There are no lifeguards in Muskegon State Park beaches.

More beaches in Muskegon State Park

Aside from Channel Beach…

If you’re looking for a bit less people and don’t mind a little bit of effort, it’s possible to find less crowded beach areas. The sand won’t go back as far as it does at Channel Beach, but it may give you more peace and quiet!

If you’re camping in Muskegon State Park, there’s beach access from the Lake Michigan campground by taking a set of stairs down from the overlook. 

There’s also an unofficial beach trail that leads to a small beach area that is located near the pullover spot near the intersection of South Scenic Drive and Memorial Drive.

But in the case that you’re looking for an easy access beach for a day visit that has facilities nearby with ample parking, then Channel Beach might be your perfect Lake Michigan beach in Muskegon State Park!

And that’s a bit about Lake Michigan beaches that you can find in Muskegon State Park!

See more things to do in Muskegon State Park.

See more Lake Michigan beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 2.5 hours to the north.

HAPPY LAKE MICHIGAN BEACH VISIT TO MUSKEGON STATE PARK!