Muskegon State Park in Michigan (views!) ⚓ things to do + Lake Michigan sunset, beach, dunes, lighthouse, camping ⚓ Michigan travel blog

Hi there!

Muskegon State Park is one of the beautiful Michigan state parks along Lake Michigan!

So if you’re planning a Lake Michigan circle tour or a Lake Michigan road trip on the Michigan side, there are many state parks in Michigan to visit that are right along the lake. 

This includes Muskegon State Park which can make for a great stop!

Well, all state parks along Lake Michigan can make for a great stop!

 

I went to Muskegon State Park, including an overnight in the state park at the Lake Michigan campground!

Below is a bit of what you can do in Muskegon State Park, including views that you will love!

 

First, the quick list of some of the best things to do in Muskegon State Park.

Then, a bit about swimming in Lake Michigan.

Then, the camping option to stay IN Muskegon State Park which means a 1-2 minute walk from the lake!

And then, a bit of how I spent 24 hours right along Lake Michigan, with PHOTOS! (Muskegon State Park can make for a GREAT photography spot in Michigan!)

 

 

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1. Lake Michigan sunset on the beach

 

 

2. Lake Michigan overlook (and beach)

 

 

3. South Scenic Drive

 

 

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4. Snug Harbor

 

 

5. Dune Ridge Trail: hiking across sand dunes

 

 

6. Channel Beach: Lake Michigan beach

 

 

7. Muskegon Channel

 

 

Swimming at Muskegon State Park beaches

 

Yes, it’s possible to swim in Lake Michigan!

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

 

 

You might expect water temperature to be high 60s in Lake Michigan at Muskegon State Park.

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. 

 

 

There are no lifeguards at Muskegon State Park beaches.

 

 

Muskegon State Park campgrounds

 

There’s camping available in Muskegon State Park!

There are 2 campgrounds:

• Lake Michigan campground
• Channel campground

 

The Muskegon State Park campgrounds are modern campgrounds, which means there’s electricity and hot water showers available. It’s for both tent camping and RV camping. 

At the Lake Michigan campground, your campsite may be a 15 second walk to the Lake Michigan overlook! The overlook is where you’ll find the stairs to the beach.

 

 

Even if your campsite is a bit further back, it will take just a few minutes of walking to reach the incredible views of Lake Michigan! 

 

Camping reservations

You make your reservations through the Michigan State Parks reservation website. Book sooner rather than later! State park campgrounds on Lake Michigan can fill up in the summer! 

 

 

Lake Michigan erosion is a thing!

 

Erosion is evident all over the shorelines of the Great Lakes. This is changing the shoreline landscape of Lake Michigan, and you can see this happening in Muskegon State Park too.

 

 

Photos: Muskegon State Park

 

 

 

 

How to spend 24 hours in Muskegon State Park

This is what I did!

 

Lake Michigan sunset

 

With Lake Michigan in Muskegon State Park being on the sunset side, it means you have a chance for a spectacular Lake Michigan sunset! 

Sunsets around here in the summer can be later than 9pm.

 

 

 

Overnight camping in Muskegon State park at Lake Michigan campground

 

 

Lake Michigan beach near the campground

Back to the overlook and down to the beach in the morning!

 

 

 

Blockhouse

 

This can be a quick visit if you see it as you’re driving through the state park.

 

 

 

South Scenic Drive

 

Beautiful drive through the park right along Lake Michigan!

If you’re looking for a quiet spot on the beach compared to the main Muskegon State Park beach, then park near the intersection of South Scenic Drive and Memorial Drive (google maps) and walk to the right (as you’re facing the lake).

 

 

 

Snug Harbor

 

Another scenic spot. Boat launch and kayaking is possible from Snug Harbor. There are picnic tables here so you can find a spot to eat a picnic lunch away from crowds. There’s also a trailhead here for hiking through the dunes.

 

 

Dune Ridge Trail to hike across sand dunes

 

The Dune Ridge Trail starts from Snug Harbor. I had a paper trail map with me (you can get one at the campground or there were also some at the trailhead) but I went the wrong way anyway.

So I’d say be prepared for an adventure. 😉

And be sure to take lots of WATER and SNACKS in case you do end up on the trail longer than expected! 

Taking the wrong trail took me directly to the beach.

 

 

See more about this Muskegon State Park activity: Dune Ridge Trail

 

Side note: For a trip to another state park that includes sand dunes and Lake Michigan, also see about hiking in Hoffmaster State Park, just down the road from Muskegon State Park. (30 minute drive.) And then further up north there’s sand dunes hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

 

 

Channel Beach

 

A Lake Michigan beach!

I got to Channel Beach unexpectedly by way of the sand dunes, but there’s a parking lot here so you can directly drive to it. 

 

 

This seems to be the main beach of Muskegon State Park, so it can be crowded. There are beach facilities here. (Bathroom.)

 

 

See more about this Muskegon State Park activity: Channel Beach

 

Side note: Once again further up north you can visit Lake Michigan beaches in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

 

 

Muskegon Channel

 

If you walk towards the left of the beach as you’re facing the lake, you’ll be walking towards the Muskegon Channel that connects Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake. On this side are light stations that you can see.

 

 

From Channel Beach, you can make your way over to walk on a “pier” to a small light station.

The Muskegon State Park North Channel Pier is across big rocks.

 

 

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.

If you keep going past this north pier, you’ll come to the pathway that goes alongside the channel. You’ll be able to see the Muskegon South Pier Lighthouse more closely.

 

 

From the state park side, you can only SEE the south pier lighthouse.

There is no connecting bridge to the other side of the channel directly at the state park, so you’ll need to drive all the way around the channel to get to the other side. It’s possible to walk out on the pier to get up close and personal to the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse. In normal times, you can climb to the top too. The lighthouse was closed when I went in July 2020, but you can still walk out onto the pier. 

And the Muskegon Channel is part of the path of the Michigan – Wisconsin ferry that goes from Muskegon to Milwaukee and Milwaukee to Muskegon! 

 

 

 

And that’s a bit about what you can see with a visit to Muskegon State Park!

 

Continue your Lake Michigan road trip from Muskegon State Park where there are also campgrounds:

• Hiking in PJ Hoffmaster State Park (sand dunes and Lake Michigan! – 30 minutes to the south)
• Silver Lake State Park (sand dunes! – 40 minutes to the north)
• Sleeping Bear Dunes (U.S. national lakeshore visit – 2.5 hours to the north)
• Leelanau State Park (Lake Michigan lighthouse visit – 3.5 hours to the north)

 

Explore more Michigan state parks in the Upper Peninsula:

• Tahquamenon Falls State Park
• Palms Book State Park (the bubbling big spring)
• Porcupine Mountains State Park
• Best Michigan state park campgrounds (Great Lakes camping!)

 

Muskegon is a designated “Michigan beach town.” South Haven MI is a Michigan beach town too! If you want to break up the drive from the south, you can make a stop by a South Haven beach, located an hour south of Muskegon State Park.

 

HAPPY LAKE MICHIGAN VISIT TO MUSKEGON STATE PARK!