There are three campgrounds in Muskegon State Park. One to the North and close to lake Michigan and two in the south of the park closer to Muskegon Lake. These are modern campgrounds with electrical hook-ups and restrooms. You can also choose between shady and sunny campgrounds at this Michigan State Park as indicated by the map.

In the State Park

There are many things to do at this state park. You can swim at the beach or lie in the sun. You can go fishing in the canal. You can go hiking on the twelve miles of trials that this park has to offer. Or if you have a boat you can launch it into Muskegon Lake and go for a cruise.

The park has dunes, forests, and much wildlife (including a carnivorous plant.) You can even see bald eagles during the winter.

During the winter cross country skiing is available at this state park. There are twelve miles of trials five of which are lighted. There is winter sports complex located in the state park from which you can obtain rental is necessary.

In the Area

The city of Muskegon is about seven miles away while that of North Muskegon is only about three miles away. There is also a Walmart located in Muskegon about nine miles from the state park. An amusement park is located about six miles to the north east of the park if you wish to have a little added fun. There are several icecream places, bowling alleys, and restaurants in the area as well.

Main Site

Map of the Park

The Dunes

Silver Lake is the only Michigan State Park that allows off road vehicles on its dunes. Their is a four hundred fifty acre section of dunes set-apart for this very purpose! You can either bring your own vehicle or you can rent one from in the area. You can use anything from to jeeps, to dune buggies, to four wheelers on these dunes. A fee is required to be able to ride on the dunes but it is not very large and lasts the whole year. There are a few rules for driving on the dunes including having a Michigan state park sticker and an ORV sticker. For a more complete list of the rules you can look here at michigan.gov. If you enjoy using off road vehicles you should enjoy this state park for including this unique feature.

The Campground and Beaches

The campground itself is located on Silver Lake. Sites number one through thirteen are very close to the lake. A boat launch exists if you wish to put your boat into the lake. The park also has a beach on Lake Michigan. However, it is a little ways away from the campground and you may therefore wish to drive. A picnic shelter also exist for those people who enjoy going on such escapades picnic.

Nearby

There is town nearby named Silver Lake Village which includes restaurants, small shops, and an entertainment center. It is close enough where you can bike to it. There is also a golf course in the area; here is the website if you want more information.

A Map of the park

Official Site

The park

This state park, as the name implies, has plenty of beautiful dunes. It is fun to walk around on them; there are several trails and you can get some nice views. There is rustic, modern, and group camping available at this campground. Another nice amenity is that the campground roads have been paved. There are also picnic shelters if you would care to eat there.

The Beach

The beach area is quite sandy and they have nice swimming. There is, however, at other areas rocks on the shore. This is an added bonus if you enjoy rock collecting or skipping rocks. There is also a beach store.
One of the rules of this state park is that dogs are not allowed on any of the beach areas or the shoreline.

Nearby

The smallish town of Three Oaks is a few miles from The Warren Dunes State Park. It has has several restaurants and a couple of ice cream places. It also includes a couple of theaters, several churches, and a nice downtown.

Main Site

A Map of the Park

Three Oaks Website

The Park

This beautiful campground has two parts in which you may camp. It includes electrical hook-ups and bathrooms. The campground sites are not sandy but instead are comprised of grass and dirt. The sites are also quite shady. The campgrounds, while a little ways from the beach, are more in the woods, this helps give it its up north feeling. Their is also a playground at this state park.

The Lake

This park is on the north of Higgins lake. It has a beautiful, sandy beach, and it also includes a boat launch. Higgins lake has very clear water and is shallow for a long way out. People swim in it; boat, ski, and jet-ski on it; and fish in it. It is a very versatile and wonderful lake!

Nearby

There is not much in the immediate vicinity of North Higgins Lake State Park, it is mostly cottages. The few things in the area include a couple restaurants, small stores, and an ice cream place. There is also a party store nearby that we call the “candy store.” A little under ten miles to the north is Grayling which includes trails, golfing, hunting, fishing, skiing, and trails. To the south, a little under twenty miles, is Houghton. Houghton is bigger than Grayling and has a Wal-Mart.

Official Site

Map of the Park

Campground

The sites in this campground are fairly close to the beach. Some of the sites are even right on the beach! There is a camper cabin, a larger than normal cabin, located in this state park if you would like to use it. There is also a nice, sandy playground located in the campground. Another amenity of this campground is the trails which can be walked. There is even cross-country skiing on one of the trails! Bathrooms and showers are of course included.

Lake

This park is located on Huron Lake. The beach at this point is very sandy. The water, however, except for a few isolated spots is extremely rocky. There is also a board-walk along the campground beach and benches on this if you wish to sit down. Another benefit is the volley-ball net at the beach.

In the Area

The nearest town is Port Austin. There are restaurants, a bank, a gas station, a hardware store, and several ice cream places. There are no major retail store (like Wal-mart) anywhere in the near vicinity. There is also a very nice beach in town if you would rather swim there. There is also a baseball field nearby.

In the opposite direction of Port Austin is a very nice miniature golf, arcade, and ice cream place. There is also a day center in the opposite direction of Port Austin which includes another beach, trails, a picnic pavilion, and bird watching.

Official Site

The Dunes

One of the nicest things about this state park is its many dunes. These are nice to walk on and see the scenic sites of nature. Children will also enjoy having rambles in these sandy hill and will find hours of entertainment running along their paths!

Stones

Petoskey also has a variety of rocks. The most famous of which shares the parks name, the Petoskey stone. It is a mix of rock and fossilized coral. It is very beautiful, especially when polished. If you enjoy looking for rocks, this would be a good place for you to come and find some of interesting stones.

The Campground and Beach

There are two different camping areas located in this state park. Included with these are bathrooms and electricity. There are a few trails in the park. And it also included is a beach and a picnic area.

Nearby

Located nearby is the town of Petoskey. This is a fairly large town and includes many attractions such as bowling, miniature golf, and ice cream parlors. It even has a Wal-mart if you need to do any shopping.

A Map of the State Park

Official Site

The Lake

Although the beach is sandy, there are rocks along the other parts of the shore. You can however, still walk along it if you want to get a wonderful view of lake Charlevoix.

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The Park

There are three different campgrounds located in this park. The beach is within walking distance of all of them. Also across form the beach there is a small little pond in which people like to fish. There are trails, picnic areas, and a playground. This is more of the modern park, so it does have electricity and bathrooms (These are things which I personally would rather not do without).

Nearby

Boyne city, a nice little town, is located nearby. They have several nice restaurants a grocery store, and a laundry mat. While we were up there, they even had a car show. And of course, if you don’t mind a longer drive you can always drive to Charlevoix itself.

A Map of Young State Park

Official Site

The Upper Penninsula of Michigan has some FABULOUS places to visit! Tahquamenon  Falls State Park offers some of the most pristine, beautiful locations in the UP.

How to pronounce Tahquamenon: tah-QWA-men-on

Tourism near Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Upper and Lower Falls

The State Park includes miles of river with hiking trails. On the trails are outlooks over the upper and lower falls. These falls are beautiful!

Whitefish Point

Within a half hour’s drive, is Whitefish Point. This is where Lake Superior and the St. Catherines river meet. The waters are very treacherous. DO  NOT TRY TO SWIM THERE! So turbulent are the waters, that many ships have wrecked off shore. Looking out, about a half mile from shore, you will see orange balls indicating the locations of the ship wrecks. It is about 10 miles north of this point that the famed wreck where 28 sailors lost their lives in aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald in November of 1975.

There is a history museum of shipwrecks at Whitefish Point.

Amenities

• Campground Store (it has ice cream!)
• electrical hook-ups
• A beach along pretty much the entire shoreline
• A playground
• A Volley-ball net (or badminton)
• bathrooms
• A baseball field
• Horse Shoe Pits
• Picnic Shelters
• Trials
• Boat Launch

Campground

This campground is close to the water, within walking distance. It is quite nice as you can swim just about anywhere because almost the entire area by the lake is a sandy beach. The water is clear and is shallow for a long ways until you hit the drop off. Also, if you like to boat, this is an extremely nice lake for you.

Nearby

Right outside the park is little general purpose store (IGA) and an Ice Cream store.

A map of the State Park

Official Site

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Amenities

• Bathrooms
• Electrical Hook-ups
• Trails
• Paved Sites and Roads
• Basketball Hoop
• Volleyball Net
• Two Beaches
• Two Playgrounds (One in the Campground)
• Picnic Areas
• Boat Launch

Campground

There is only one campground in this park. Sites 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 are very close to the campground beach. Sites 33, 34, 35 are very close the to playground which is in the campground.

On a more negative note Rattlesnakes do live in this park. Also, they do not sell firewood there to our knowledge.

Nearby

There is a hot air ballon place near-by if you care to try flying. They can be seen going up from the campground and have been seen right over the lake in the campground.

Main Site

Map of this Michigan State Park