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Muskegon State Park Camping

Enjoy camping in Central Michigan at Muskegon State Park. This awesome park is bordered by Lake Michigan to the west and the Muskegon shipping channel to the south.

Camping images from Muskegon State Park

Recently I returned from a solo camping trip in southwest Michigan along the lake. I started at Muskegon State Park and traveled south to PJ Hoffmaster State Park, Grand Haven State Park, Holland State Park, Van Buren State Park, and Warren Dunes State Park.

I have been to Warren Dunes and Holland as part of my Circle Lake Michigan Camping Trip.

Muskegon SP is west of the town of North Muskegon. This 1233-acre natural area sits on the northwest side of Muskegon Lake.

Camping at Muskegon State Park

This state park has 244 campsites over two campgrounds: Lake Michigan Campground and Channel Campground.

Lake Michigan Campground near Muskegon

This wooded campground is located at the top of a dune at the park’s north end. Sites are unpaved and unlevel.

This campground has two bathhouses and a dump station.

There is a fantastic Lake Michigan overlook with stairs that lead down to a beautiful beach.

Two mini cabins and a yurt are open year-round, along with half of the campsites.

The Sports Complex is located across from this campground. It has a winter and summer luge track open to the public, a zip line, and archery.

Cell phone connectivity is spotty in this part of the park.

Muskegon Channel Campground

I stayed two nights in the Channel Campground in the south part of the park on low dunes along the Ship Channel. This campground has great views of Muskegon Lake and the surrounding area.

There are two loops in this campground. A beach area sits along Muskegon Lake.

The first loop is entirely 20/30 amp sites. Sites are small and close together. This is a great loop if you want to get several sites together.

The second loop has more spread-out campsites, many of which are 50 amp. This loop is great if you want separation from other campers.

All sites have a paved parking pad, a picnic table, and a fire ring.

campsites at Channel campground

Each loop has a bathhouse, each with a restroom with 4 stalls and 3 sinks, an ADA family restroom, and four shower rooms, two of which are ADA. There is also a snack vending machine.

The check-in station sells ice, firewood, and some stickers and nick-nacks to support the park.

This campground has excellent cellular connectivity, which is open from mid-April through mid-October.

Recommended Sites at Channel Campground
The best views of the channel are from sites 23, 24, 25, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 109, 111, and 112.
Great views of Muskegon Lake are from sites 144, 146, and 147.

The second night I stayed in site 30, which had a great view of the ship canal. I enjoyed seeing boat traffic go by out my back window.

Muskegon Channel Campground View of shipping channel

The Muskegon Harbor Navigation Project, maintained by the Army Corp of Engineers, runs along the shipping channel. There is a long paved path that goes out near the channel opening.

This concrete boardwalk has two fishing piers. There are numerous benches and a covered picnic table along the path.

It was a high-wind day during my visit, so windsurfers and kite surfers were out at the mouth of the channel. I captured the action in this photo:

Muskegon Lighthouse with kite surfers and wind surfer
kite surfers and a windsurfer getting some air

Things to do at Muskegon State Park

There are 12 miles of dune trails in the park. An ADA trail can be found at the Sports Complex.

There is an old blockhouse up on the dune along the scenic drive. It has amazing views of Lake Michigan.

Launch a boat into Muskegon Lake near the east entrance.

Muskegon State Park Beach

There is a beach with two large parking lots and a seasonal bathhouse. I saw a few wetsuit-wearing surfers riding the swells on a blustery day.

Caution! As I was leaving, I decided to stop by the beach to watch the surfers. The wind was causing the sand to drift, and I got stuck. I tried to dig myself out, but it was futile.

motorhome stuck in the sand

Fortunately, a very kind local named Joe pulled me out with his Super Duty truck and tow strap. I was so grateful not to have to call for a wrecker to pull the motorhome out.

Moral of the story: be cautious of blowing sand and drifts!

Overall, I loved my visit to Muskegon State Park. I plan to return during the summer when it is warmer and explore all it offers. Check out the Top Campsites in Michigan.

Michigan Camping Trips

Larry Lee

Sunday 7th of May 2023

I too was camping channel camp ground loop two near bath house lot 136 I love this camp ground but over last couple years it has really took turn for the worst tree have been cut down for two years still logs laying in lots bush every ware from standing dead trees most if not all sites in second loop infested ticks we spoke with 4 sets of campers in loop two area 3 of four groups left early due this issue we cleaned and sprayed our lot to keep at bay...you did write very nice story wish we could have meet you..

Diana Hansen

Sunday 7th of May 2023

That is a bummer about this campground. I had not issues being there in October.

FYI~ I will be a campground host at Hoffmaster this summer.

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