Muskegon State Park
Muskegon State Park | |
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South-West view of the Blockhouse | |
Location within the state of Michigan | |
Location | Lower Peninsula, Muskegon County, Michigan USA |
Nearest city | Muskegon, Michigan |
Coordinates | 43°14′47″N 86°20′38″W / 43.24633°N 86.34396°WCoordinates: 43°14′47″N 86°20′38″W / 43.24633°N 86.34396°W |
Area | 1,233 acres (499 ha) |
Established | 1923 |
Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=475&type=SPRK |
Muskegon State Park is a 1,233-acre (499 ha) state park along Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake near North Muskegon, Michigan in Muskegon County, Michigan. 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, with the Lake Michigan Campground offering winter camping.
Day users and campers use the scenic beach. The Snug Harbor picnic area is located on Muskegon Lake. The Blockhouse 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 trails, with five miles (8 km) marked for cross-country skiing, 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 Amusement Park, Gillette Nature Center at Hoffmaster State Park, Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon Museum of Art, and the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine 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, luge run, and ice fishing. The park features a luge track, where U.S. Olympic 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 (1,000 mm) and above.
External links
- Muskegon State Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Muskegon State Park Protected Planet (World Database on Protected Areas)