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More than 1,000 acres of scenic natural
area are nestled between Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan.
This site contains dunes, interdunal ponds, forests,
fields, lakefront, and a rare coastal plain marsh.
Bicycling is prohibited on all trails due to Protected
Dune status of the park. A future cooperative bike
route is planned which would run along the north
side of Muskegon Lake, through Muskegon State Park,
then north along the Lake Michigan shoreline to Duck
Lake State Park.
Because a large portion of this park is
surrounded by water, it is naturally a good place
to view waterfowl and shorebirds from spring through
fall. Bald eagles are also seen along the lakeshores
during winter. For those who enjoy unique plants,
the area around Lost Lake is a gold mine. Lost Lake
really is not a lake at all. It is a coastal plain
marsh a rare natural community, and one of only 41
left in Michigan's state park system. Look carefully
along the shores of Lost Lake and you probably will
find the carnivorous (meat-eating) pitcher plant.
This specialized plant is able to digest small insects
to supplement the scarce nutrients available from
bog soils. Please do not pick or disturb fragile bog
plants.
The park is closed to hunting,
but waterfowl may be hunted on Muskegon Lake during
the proper season. All hunting must occur
from the water and shooting toward the shoreline is
prohibited. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources for hunting seasons and regulations.
Directions
From Muskegon, go north on US-31 to M-120. Turn
left (west) onto M-120, and proceed through the town of North
Muskegon to the park entrance. In North Muskegon, the road name
changes to Ruddiman and later to Memorial Drive.
Ownership: Michigan Department
of Natural Resources (269) 744-3480
Restrooms 8 modern with barrier-free
access; Lake Michigan Campground (north) has barrier-free showers;
6 pit toilets located throughout park. Trails 12 miles of marked hiking trails from
easy to difficult. The trails are a diverse series of loops
that meander through a variety of landscapes, from flatland
to marsh and from lowland to the top of scenic sand dunes. All
are self-guided. Picnic 4 picnic areas with tables, 3 with
grills available (Snug Harbor, Lake Michigan Beach, Block House
Overlook); 1 with a playground (Snug Harbor); shelter reservations
for Snug Harbor (2 shelters) are $45/day. Camping 247 modern sites with 20/30 amp electric
hook-ups, approximately 30 sites in each campground have 50
amp service; 139 with pads (all in Channel Campground south);
limited number of pull-thru sites. Call 1-800-44 PARKS or
check
here for availability. NO primitive sites available. Cross-country Skiing 12 miles of ski trails,
with 5 miles of lit trails during the winter months (fee); Easy
to difficult; rental equipment available at the Winter Sports
Complex. Boat Ramp One boat ramp at Snug Harbor, access
to Muskegon Lake and the Great Lakes (Lake Michigan). Open 24
hours a day. Drinking Water 9 locations throughout the
park (Snug Harbor-2, Lake Michigan Beach, Sports Complex, Channel
Campground-2, Channel Walkway, Lake Michigan Campground-2). Fishing all types; trout/salmon, bass, walleye,
and panfish. Fish cleaning station at Snug Harbor. Bait available
across the road from the Snug Harbor Boat Launch. Hunting the park is closed to hunting, but
hunting is allowed at nearby Duck Lake State Park, 15 minutes
north on Scenic Drive. Entry Fee - Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle
Permit required for entry. Barrier-free Lake Michigan and Channel Campgrounds,
Snug Harbor, Lake Michigan Beach, and Channel Walkway.