Camping at Beautiful Muskegon State Park
Visiting Muskegon State Park
As a Michigan family who loves the great outdoors, Muskegon State Park has become one of our favorite getaways for camping, hiking, beach days, and making memories. Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Muskegon, this park is a gem that offers the perfect blend of nature, adventure, and family-friendly fun. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there's something magical about waking up to the sound of the waves and ending the day with s'mores around the campfire. Save and Pin this guide to make trip planning easier on your family.
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Campfire at Muskegon State Park
Why We Love It
There’s just something special about Muskegon State Park. It’s less crowded than some of the bigger name state parks, but it has just as much—if not more—natural beauty and two water sources to enjoy. The park offers access to both Lake Michigan and Lake Muskegon, so whether you’re into swimming, fishing, kayaking, or just soaking up the sun, you’ve got options.
As a family, we especially love:
Quiet mornings walking along the beach and trails
Tall trees perfect for Hammocks
Easy access to water for both play and paddling
Beautiful sunsets over the dunes
A feeling of “up north” without the long drive (especially if you're coming from West Michigan)
Stairway to the beach at Muskegon State Park Lake Michigan Loop
Park Highlights
With tons of activities at Muskegon State Park, you’ll have plenty to do, check out the top 12 things to do at Muskegon State Park.
Two Campgrounds: Lake Michigan Campground is tucked right near the beach, while Channel Campground is more wooded and peaceful.
Miles of Trails: Great for hiking in summer or cross-country skiing in winter. Try the Dune Ridge Trail for stunning lake views.
The Channel Walk: A relaxing stroll along Muskegon Channel with lighthouse views and boats passing by—great for kids to watch.
Fishing Pier & Boat Launches: Both beginner and experienced anglers will find great fishing access.
Winter Sports Complex (yes, even in summer!): You can rent equipment and enjoy the luge track or climbing wall during the warm months. ( more on that below)
Nearby Activities
Even though there’s more than enough to do within the park, the surrounding area offers even more family fun:
Michigan’s Adventure: Just 20 minutes away, this amusement and water park is always a hit with the kids.
USS Silversides Submarine Museum: Explore a real WWII submarine docked in Muskegon—super cool and educational.
Pere Marquette Beach: A wider beach with a playground and lighthouse nearby, perfect for a day trip.
Downtown Muskegon Farmers Market: On Saturday morning, don’t miss the market for local goods and produce.
Gillette Visitor Center: Located by Hoffmaster State Park, the visitor center has interactive exhibits and extensive trail systems.
Camping Amenities & Sites
There are two campground at Muskegon State Park, and here’s what you can expect:
Electric hookups at most sites
Clean, well-maintained restrooms and showers
Fire pits and picnic tables at every site
Dump station and fresh water access
Sites for tents, trailers, and RVs (though be sure to reserve early—summer fills up fast!)
Channel Campground is more shaded and private, great for a cozy feel. Lake Michigan Campground is more open, but still has tall trees and you’re steps from the beach and get those dreamy sunsets.
Channel Campground VS Lake Michigan Campground
Lake Michigan Campground if beach access and views are your top priorities.
Channel Campground is better if you want more peace and shade.
Ideal sites for hammocks at Muskegon State Park
The Channel Campground
Situated near the navigational channel that connects Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. While you are adjacent to Muskegon Lake at the Channel Campground, accessing the Lake Michigan beach involves a walk or potentially a short bike ride:
Channel at Muskegon State Park
Walk: You can access the beach via an accessible walkway from the channel area. 10 minutes to walk with a child and 5 minutes with a bike.
Distance: The "Muskegon Channel Path" is a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near the channel, which would take approximately 29 minutes to complete. This path could be part of your route to the beach.
Accessible Access: Muskegon State Park offers an accessible walkway to the water and a beach wheelchair for visitors.
Lake Michigan Campground
Wooded site with plenty of trees for hammocks. Backs up to wooded forests with easy access to sand dunes.
Allows quick access to Lake Michigan via stairs.
A small path to Ruth Ann’s Ice Cream connects from the campground to shop.
Cabins & Yurt are available via reservations.
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park (MLASP)
Located across from the Muskegon State Park entrance is the Muskegon Luge Adventure Park, which offers visitors a host of family- friendly activities in all seasons. We love the additional accessibility featuring an all-terrain track chair and accessible trails so everyone can explore the woods. Website: msports.org
Summer Luge
Summer at Muskegon Luge Park – Try the unique wheel luge, zip through the trees on a zip line, or enjoy archery and hiking trails just steps from Lake Michigan.
Winter at Muskegon Luge Park – Experience one of only a few public ice luges in the U.S., plus ice skating through the woods, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Kayaking
Kayak Rentals Offered: Inside Muskegon State Park (near the Winter Sports Complex) in spring, summer, and fall.
Single and tandem kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and canoes
Where You Paddle: Launch right onto Muskegon Lake or through the peaceful Lost Lake area depending on water levels and weather. If you prefer to bring your own kayak, the park has several great launch points, including: Snug Harbor (Muskegon Lake), Lost Lake (carry-in only, great for calm paddling), Channel access (for more experienced paddlers due to boat traffic)
Rentals often include life jackets and basic instruction.
Fishing at Muskegon State Park
Several locations are good for fishing at Muskegon State Park Including: Muskegon Lake, Muskegon Channel (Between the two lakes), Lake Michigan & Lost Lake
Michigan Fishing License: Required for anyone 17 and older, which you can buy online via the Michigan DNR
Basic gear: Rod, bait/tackle, and a cooler or bucket
Bait shops nearby: Several in Muskegon—Fish On Bait & Tackle is a popular choice
Playground Info at Muskegon State Park
A modest playground with swings is located in Lake Michigan Campground
No playground at the Channel Campground, but there are large grassy areas and trails for running and playing.
The Dune Ridge Trail and beach walks also make for great nature-based "playgrounds" if your kids love to climb and explore.
If you want a bigger playground outing, check out Pere Marquette Park in nearby Muskegon—it has a large, well-maintained playground right by the beach.
Small Swing Set at Muskegon State Park
Hiking Trails
Scenic trails wind through the state park. So pack your hiking shoes or athletic footwear. Check out this hiking guide to Muskegon State Park Trails to help decide which trails to explore.
Lost Lake Trail – Stroll along wooden boardwalks surrounded by wetlands. Keep an eye out for frogs, turtles, and other little surprises that make it feel like a nature scavenger hunt. (Ask the rangers- the accessible trail is not on the main map)
Lost Lake Trail has Accessible Path
Dune Ridge Trail – A quick hike with rewarding dune climbs and beautiful lake views. If you’re up for more, connect it with nearby trails to stretch the adventure.
Channel Walk – Smooth, easy, and stroller-friendly. Great for families, with boats passing by and friendly fishermen to wave to.
Entry/ Camping Cost at Michigan State Parks
Camping at Michigan state parks is affordable—especially for families! Here's a quick breakdown of typical fees:
Michigan Recreation Passport: Required for park entry.
Michigan residents: $14/year (can be added when renewing your license plate)
Non-residents: $39 annual pass or $11 for a daily pass
Campsite Fees:
Standard sites: Usually range from $20 to $35 per night depending on season and site type
Premium/lakefront sites: Can run up to $40+ per night
Reservation fee: $8 per booking
You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance through the Michigan DNR camping site. In summer, especially weekends, the sites fill up fast—so book early if you can!
For reference we camped with 4 children for 4 days in a 27ft trailer at Muskegon State Park Lake Michigan Loop. During our stay we were joined by two other families for a total of 6 adults, 12 kids and 3 dogs.
What to Pack
Bring all your beach toys, floats, kayaks and paddleboards. They are fun for the whole family and conveniently roll up to be easily transported.
Bikes Having bikes is a nice way to get around the campground.
Best Places to Eat Nearby
After a day of adventuring, we love heading into town for a good meal. Here are our go-to spots:
Ruth Ann’s Ice Cream Connected to the campground by a trail ( Lake Michigan) it was directly behind our campsite. Old-fashioned, family-owned shop with hand-dipped ice cream and friendly service.
The Deck: Right on Pere Marquette Beach, with BBQ, live music, and a fun vibe for families.
Hearthstone Bistro: A bit more upscale but still family-friendly—perfect for a special vacation dinner.
Tootsie's Take-Out: Great for burgers and shakes, just a few minutes from the park.
Fricano’s Pizza: A West Michigan favorite with thin crust pies—simple and delicious.
Where to Pick Up Groceries
Meijer Muskegon- Only 15 minutes away. pick up groceries, camping supplies, etc Its’ open 24/7 so if you roll into camp late
Aldi Muskegon Good budget-friendly option for basics- typically close around 8–9 p.m.
Muskegon Farmers Market: (242 W Western Ave, Muskegon) Seasonal, open Saturdays, and some Tuesdays/Thursdays in summer. Find local produce, baked goods, jams, crafts, friendly vendors and unique Michigan-made goods.
FAQ’s
Are Dogs Allowed?
*Dogs need to be on a 6-foot leash. The rangers were friendly and laid back at the park. We were happy that it was a dog-friendly place.
How is the Cell Service?
Yes, cell service at Muskegon State Park is generally decent, especially near the Lake Michigan Campground and the Channel Campground entrance.
Verizon and AT&T tend to have the most reliable coverage throughout the park.
T-Mobile is usable but may have patchy areas.
Is there Wi-Fi at Muskegon State Park?
There is no public Wi-Fi provided in the park campgrounds or day-use areas.
However, if you need a stronger connection, downtown Muskegon is only a 10–15 minute drive away and has several spots (coffee shops, libraries, restaurants) with free Wi-Fi.
Our Tip: If you’re working remotely or need guaranteed access, bring a hotspot device or plan to use your phone’s hotspot capability. Otherwise, it’s a great excuse to unplug and enjoy the beach, woods, and family time.
Final Thoughts
With an abundance of outdoor activities and the beauty of the Great Lakes, visiting Muskegon State Park is bound to be a memorable experience. Have questions or favorite spots of your own. Drop them in the comments—we love connecting with other.
As you plan your vacation to this beautiful destination in Michigan, make sure to Pin and Save for later and share with a friend. If you found this helpful, follow Discovering Anew for more campground reviews and Michigan adventures. From our family to yours…HAPPY CAMPING!
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