Free & Open Year-Round
Hiking
Every trail here is free to walk — flat and easy near the lodge, or steep through the dunes if that's more your speed.
Overview
Pick Your Trailhead
Muskegon State Park has two trailheads — one at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, one at the Snug Harbor boat launch — and both open onto trails that wind through dunes, wetlands, and shaded woods with glimpses of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan along the way. Most of the trail surface at the Sports Park is packed gravel, so wheelchairs and strollers get through just fine, while trails starting at Snug Harbor are natural with more rugged terrain. Leashed dogs (6 ft max) are always welcome; bikes aren't allowed on any trail in the park.
A Trail For Every Pace
“From an easy stroll near the lodge to a steep climb through the dunes, the woods ask nothing of you but to show up.”
Four trail systems loop through the Sports Park's lease area, with several more spread across the rest of Muskegon State Park. Every one of them sits on the same ground the park grooms for skiing and luge each winter — free and open to walk from spring through fall.
Trails At The Sports Park
The Sports Park's lease area holds four separate trail systems. All but Spencer's Advanced Trail run on packed gravel, so strollers and wheelchairs can manage them too. They're open daily until 10pm with no hiking fee from spring through fall — trails switch over to cross-country ski grooming once winter sets in.
White Night
Easy1.6 mi · 30–45 min
Easy, mostly flat walking with a few gentle rises. Packed gravel keeps it wheelchair and stroller friendly.
Pete's Path
Easy2.4 mi · 45–55 min
The longest of the easy loops — flat, with just a couple of small hills. Packed gravel keeps it wheelchair and stroller friendly.
Lost Lake Trail West
Moderate3.2 mi · 60–70 min
Rolling, hillier terrain — a bypass at intersection 6 keeps most of the route wheelchair-friendly, skipping just the one climb.
Spencer's Advanced
Advanced0.75 mi · 20–30 min
A short, winding, steep connector branching off Lost Lake Trail West. Not wheelchair accessible.
More Trails In Muskegon State Park
Beyond the Sports Park, Muskegon State Park is home to the Lake Michigan and Channel campgrounds, a beach bath house, the historic Block House, and a wider trail network ranging from easy to difficult. These trailheads start at the Snug Harbor boat launch, across from Park Headquarters, and run year-round from 8am to 10pm.
Dune Ridge Trail
2.5 mi · Moderate – Difficult · 60–80 min
A rewarding view of Lake Michigan from the ridge. Trailhead sits across from Park Headquarters.
Hearty Hiker Trail
3.5 mi · Moderate – Difficult · 80–90 min
A favorite among birders. Trailhead starts at the Snug Harbor boat launch, across from Park Headquarters.
Lost Lake East
1.9 mi · Moderate · 35–45 min
Traces the Lost Lake interdunal wetland. Trailhead starts at the Snug Harbor boat launch.
Old Bay Mills
1.5 mi · Moderate · 35–45 min
Follows the Devil's Kitchen wetland along Muskegon Lake. Trailhead starts at the Snug Harbor boat launch.
Must-See Landmark
The Block House
What stands today is a rebuild — the original 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps fort burned down in 1962. Climb inside for views of both Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan through the windows. You'll find it about a half mile south of the Sports Park entrance, reachable via the Lost Lake Trail between intersections 8 and 9.
Hike The Lights
Come October, White Night, Pete's Path, and Lost Lake Trail light up for evening hikes — walkable from dusk until 10pm right up until the first snowfall, when the lights give way to ski grooming.
Good To Know
Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing
Once winter arrives, the Sports Park's trails are reserved for cross-country skiing grooming, so hikers are asked to steer clear and keep the tracks intact. Snowshoers can still get out on our snowshoe trail system with a trail pass, or head to one of Muskegon State Park's other trails outside the Sports Park.
On Every Trail
Important Information
Good To Know
Protect and Respect the Trails
Help keep these trails in good shape for the hikers who come after you. Pack out any trash you can carry, even if it isn't yours, and leave plants and wildlife undisturbed. Dogs are welcome as long as they stay on a 6-ft leash and messes get cleaned up. Bikes aren't permitted on any trail in Muskegon State Park.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
No — hiking is free at the Sports Park and throughout Muskegon State Park during spring, summer, and fall. Once winter grooming begins, our trails switch over to cross-country skiing and close to hikers.
Yes, leashed dogs (6 ft max) are welcome throughout the park — just clean up after them. Bikes aren't allowed on any trail.
Most Sports Park trails run on packed gravel and work for wheelchairs and strollers — Spencer's Advanced Trail is the one exception. Lost Lake Trail West also has a bypass at intersection 6 that skips its one steep climb.
Sports Park trails stay open until 10pm daily. The rest of Muskegon State Park's trails run year-round from 8am to 10pm.
Yes — White Night, Pete's Path, and Lost Lake Trail are lit for hiking from dusk to 10pm, starting in October and running until the first snowfall switches the trails over to ski grooming.
They're groomed for cross-country skiing, so hikers are asked to stay off them to protect the tracks. You can still get out on our snowshoe trail system with a trail pass, or explore other Muskegon State Park trails outside the Sports Park.
Accessibility & The Track Chair
Every trail here is meant to be open to everyone. A donation from Kali's Cure for Paralysis Foundation, Inc. gave Muskegon State Park's DNR office an all-terrain track chair, letting hikers with disabilities take on snow, sand, or woods at no cost. Reserve it by calling DNR Park Headquarters at (231) 744-3480 during business hours.
Take a closer look at how we do itFree & Open Year-Round
Hiking
Sports Park Trails
White Night
1.6 miEasy · 30–45 min
Pete's Path
2.4 miEasy · 45–55 min
Lost Lake Trail West
3.2 miModerate · 60–70 min
Spencer's Advanced
0.75 miAdvanced · 20–30 min
No hiking fee, spring through fall.
Check our trail conditions page before you visit.
Try More Adventure Sports
Archery
Learn the fundamentals of a compound bow from our instructors on our live shooting range.
Rock Climbing
Scale our outdoor climbing walls set against the natural Michigan dune landscape.
Zipline
Glide a quarter mile from the top of a sand dune, side by side with a friend on Michigan's longest dual zipline.
Wheel Luge
Learn to steer on our summer luge track — the thrill of luge, all green season long.
Trail Quest
Riddle solving meets orienteering — compete with your group through the dunes.
What Our Guests Say
Don't take our word for it — here's what visitors from across the Midwest have to say about their day at the park.
Ready To Hit The Trails?
Hiking costs nothing at Muskegon State Park from spring through fall — download the map and pick your trail.