Muskegon State Park is a 1233 acres (499 ha) state park

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...

 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...

 and Muskegon Lake

Muskegon Lake

Muskegon Lake is a fresh-water lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA. Located in the lower peninsula at the mouth of the Muskegon River, Muskegon Lake forms a broad harbor along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, approximately wide by long....

 near North Muskegon, Michigan

North Muskegon, Michigan

North Muskegon is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,031 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles , of which, 1.8 square miles of it is land and 2.3 square miles of it is...

 in Muskegon County, Michigan

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 park, located four miles (6 km) west of North Muskegon, has two miles (3 km) of sand beach on Lake Michigan and one mile (1.6 km) on Muskegon Lake.

Facilities and attractions

The park contains two modern campgrounds with over 240 sun and shade sites. Camping facilities are seasonal, May through October.

Day users and campers use the scenic beach. The Snug Harbor picnic area is located on Muskegon Lake. The Blockhouse

Blockhouse

In military science, a blockhouse is a small, isolated fort in the form of a single building. It serves as a defensive strong point against any enemy that does not possess siege equipment or, in modern times, artillery...

 overlook provides a scenic view of Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake, and the dunes.

Muskegon State Park offers a lighted boat launch at Snug Harbor that accommodates large boats. Fishing is available at the pier at Snug Harbor and the walkway on the Muskegon Lake Channel offers barrier-free access. The park rents fishing tackle.

Twelve miles of marked trail

Trail

A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...

s, with five miles (8 km) marked for cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...

, are within the park. The trails are a diverse series of loops that meander through a variety of landscapes, from flatland to bog, from lowland to the top of scenic dunes.

Nearby attractions include Michigan's Adventure

Michigan's Adventure

Michigan's Adventure is a amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan, about halfway between Muskegon, Michigan and Whitehall, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company since 2001...

 Amusement Park, Gillette Nature Center at Hoffmaster State Park

Hoffmaster State Park

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is a state park along Lake Michigan located at the southwest corner of Norton Shores, Michigan in Muskegon County and the northwest corner of Spring Lake Township in Ottawa County. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The park includes of land...

, Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon Museum of Art, and the USS Silversides

USS Silversides (SS-236)

USS Silversides is a Gato-class submarine, the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the silversides, a small fish marked with a silvery stripe along each side of its body....

, a World War II submarine

Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...

 open for tours.

Recreation

Recreation enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, picnicking, fishing, hiking, boating, and camping at Muskegon State Park. In addition, winter activities in the park include cross-country skiing, ice skating

Ice skating

Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...

, luge run, and ice fishing

Ice fishing

Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...

. The park features a luge

Luge

A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...

 track, where U.S. Olympic

Olympic Games

The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...

 team member Mark Grimette started training.

Climate

The western coast of Michigan experiences pleasant summers with temperatures averaging 70 °F (21 °C). In winter, temperatures plunge to 22 °F (-6 °C). Lake winds have a dramatic effect on wind chill factors. Yearly precipitation averages 40 inches (1,016 mm) and above.

External links

• Muskegon State Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the state of Michigan charged with maintaining natural resources such as state parks, state forests, and recreation areas. It is governed by a director appointed by the Governor and accepted by the Natural Resources Commission...
  
  
• Muskegon State Park Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)