Duck Lake State Park
Encyclopedia
Duck Lake State Park is a 728 acres (2.9 km²), day-use state park
located along Lake Michigan
south of Whitehall, Michigan
in Muskegon County
. The land was purchased by the Nature Conservancy from two Boy Scout
organizations and acquired by the state in 1974. It officially opened in 1988.
The park, which runs along the north side of Duck Lake to Lake Michigan, features a large sand dune. A beach at the mouth of Duck Lake is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The park's Scenic Drive is part of the Shoreline Trail
route in Muskegon County.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located along Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
south of Whitehall, Michigan
Whitehall, Michigan
Whitehall is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,884 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the southwest corner of Whitehall Township. Montague, Michigan is its neighbor....
in Muskegon County
Muskegon County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families residing in the county. The population density was 334 people per square mile . There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of 135 per square mile...
. The land was purchased by the Nature Conservancy from two Boy Scout
Scouting in Michigan
Scouting in Michigan has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.- Early history :...
organizations and acquired by the state in 1974. It officially opened in 1988.
The park, which runs along the north side of Duck Lake to Lake Michigan, features a large sand dune. A beach at the mouth of Duck Lake is a popular spot for swimming and fishing. The park's Scenic Drive is part of the Shoreline Trail
Shoreline Trail
Shoreline Trail is a route along Lake Michigan in Muskegon County, Michigan.The sign is in the shape of a triangle with two sails, a wave, and the name "Shoreline Trail" with a red underline.Here is the route from south to north.-Norton Shores, Michigan:*Start at US 31 North at Muskegon/Ottawa...
route in Muskegon County.
Facilities and activities
- Swimming: On Duck Lake and Lake Michigan.
- HikingHikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
: A half-mile paved trail skirts Duck lake. - FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
: Anglers can try for bass, crappie, and bluegill. - Picnicking
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter.
- SnowmobilingSnowmobileA snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
- Cross-country skiingCross-country skiingCross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
- HuntingHuntingHunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
: The park is open to hunting during the regular season.