Muskegon State Park is a great destination for the outdoorsy crowd. Whether you are laying on the…read morebeach, trekking the woods, or hiking scenic dunes there's something for everyone. There are trails for both novices and those looking for more of a challenge. I took my shot with the Dune Ridge Trail. It was full of hilly sand dunes paired with great lake views. If you enjoy hiking in forests, beaches, and dunes then you'll love Muskegon State Park!

Really like this beach because it's out of the way and not many people think to come here. I love…read morethat you can pull up directly to the beach drop your tailgate to grill and chill. Last year they had a pavilion with restrooms and this year they are Porta John's in pavilion has been knocked down. Hopefully they are going to rebuild.

Clear Springs Nature Preserve is a great hidden gem in Montague! It is a spring, meaning the water…read morenever freezes. The tranquility is unmatched. There is beauty at Clear Springs no matter the season. There are quite a few hiking trails to choose from. Most of the trails are loops. There are never a ton of people there which is nice. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. There is a porta-potty there all year round so if you have to go, no worries! A great spot to get some fresh air and get a few miles in. You will not be disappointed!

My husband, my parents and myself have been planning a trip to Mears Michigan so we could visit the…read moredunes at Silver Lake State Park for over a year. We had been looking forward to seeing all the park has to offer for so long and the views alone exceeded our expectations beyond measure. Do keep in mind that the sand can get extremely hot so come prepared to create a barrier between your feel and the sand. If you are a fan of visiting state parks, Silver Lake is a must stop. I am so grateful I was able to visit.

Unique experience!…read more If you love off-road riding this is a place you have to give a try. There are rules and permits needed if you bring your own vehicle to ride. We rented so we were able to have that setup and ready for us when we arrived. The dunes are easy to navigate once you are out there. Review the map ahead of time so you are aware of the one way sections. Check out the pictures!

Decent view at one of the highest point in GR. It would be better if city trim some of the bushes…read moreoff at the edge to provide more opening to look at downtown. Not remove the plants, just trim the tops a little bit. I don't know if it is the same park but if you walk down to the end of the street, pass all the new built houses. You will arrive at another lookout.

Sure, Grand Rapids may be small, but it oozes charm. If you didn't think you could get some cool…read moreviews from the city on top of a hill, think again!! We were looking for a park to take some photos in and kind of accidentally found Lookout Park. Although it's small and in a neighborhood, it had some of the nicest views of the city that I'd seen! The neighborhood it's in is very beautiful as well, so it's the perfect place to take a stroll.

Absolutely stunning. This park is another reminder of why we need to invest time, energy, and funds…read moreinto our natural resources. I could spend all day here wandering the trails and walking the beach. I plan to reserve a campsite in their beautiful campground sometime this summer.

Definitely worth the drive to see lake Michigan and the Sand dunes. There is a beautiful boardwalks…read morenext to the visitor center that you can take directly to the dunes. It's a wooden walkway, with a ton of shade from the trees, that takes you through the forest directly to the dunes. The visitor center was closed for remodel when we were there so we could not go inside to enjoy the displays on this trip so I am looking forward to the upgrades.

Good trails for almost every rider. A bit of sand of course but nothing aggressive. A few…read moreelevation changes but most will enjoy these trails while on your western Michigan vacation.

Trails are reasonably well marked, but the ground on the blue and green trails was torn up and…read moreuneven from some machine (5/26/26) perhaps from trying to groom ski trails with too little snow. The only loop that was somewhat attractive was the red loop which was not torn up ground and actually had some topography and a bit better forest ecosystem. The entire place is sandy with limited tree species and no old growth trees. Lots of scrub pine and unattractive oaks. The cottonwood section might be nice in fall. The only thing that could be considered a vista on the pathways is where major logging took out 95% of the trees and it is mostly a stubble field, but not beautiful. This review is from a hiking perspective that had no good natural beauty payoff for the hiking effort. There are no streams or ponds on the property, but still mosquito thick. I do not recommend hiking here, it would probably be better for mountain or fat tire biking as moving quickly through the forest has it's charms even if the hike was underwhelming. I would not hike here again as there was no signature beauty to bring me back.

Pere Marquette offers exceptional access to beautiful Lake Michigan, one the world's natural…read moretreasures. There is ample paid parking. Weekend day rates are $15. There is a snack stand, offering ice cream, nachos, and other treats, as well as beach equipment rentals. The sand is soft and visitors will enjoy spreading out on the expansive beach. The water is clear and features a sandy bottom. Just north of the snack stand is The Deck, the preeminent dining establishment in this area of Muskegon. The establishment features al fresco dining and stunning views of Lake Michigan. There are swings and other fun view points. If you're in Mitten, Pere Marquette is worth the drive. You simply cannot beat Lake Michigan's splendor.

Beautiful beach, wasn't super busy when we went. A lot of families, great for hanging out in the…read morewater. We got there at 11am everyday and were able to get a spot right by the water. Also the deck is a walk away and has great food & drinks.

Rosy Mound Natural Area's dunes, forested trails, and shoreline views were stunning!…read more Pulling in there is small parking lot, restrooms, and pay station kiosk for the $8 daily permit. The 2.2 mile trail starts at the parking lot leading you through the woods right to Lake Michigan's shoreline. The trail consist of dirt, dune, and board walk paths with a total of 360 stairs; so get those quads ready! Thankfully there are lots of shaded places to stop and rest with benches along the paths and between flights of stairs. Note to mention: This is a no pet area so keep your furry friends at home! Would definitely recommend Rosy Mound if you're up for a short hike and want to enjoy a breathtaking shoreline view or beach at the end.

Beautiful hike to the beach!…read more The trailhead starts in a parking lot, weaving through the woods. You go up stairs to a dunes overlook and you can continue to follow the trail down to the beach. The beach and the sand dunes are beautiful, especially at sunset. There are bathrooms at the beginning of the trail and near the beach.

Love this area! Just north of Ludington with way less traffic and completely different adventures!…read moreYou can walk in and camp basically right on the beach here, which is absolutely dreamy and there are just such wonderful hiking trails throughout that offer you challenges and just the most gorgeous sights as well! This spot definitely isn't for everyone and there won't be any "easy" hikes. Nordhouse Dunes makes you work for it, but the payoff is immense and completely worth it! Uninterrupted access to Lake Michigan and stunning vibes - what more could you ask for?! Love Nordhouse Dunes!!

It's crowded but the hike is nice. We were there the first week of September and I was surprised to…read moresee the campground full of campers. I got some great shots with my cannon and my kids enjoyed the hike...it was longer than we thought it would be!

We stumbled upon Pigeon Lake driving on Lakeshore Drive for miles looking for public access to the…read moreLake. The drive up is absolutely gorgeous and lined with dense trees and forests including paved trails for running or biking. There are mostly private homes here with gated access so this is your best bet if you want to get some beach time or hiking in...Or maybe you plan on camping here for a few days... There is a park daily entrance fee of $5.00 for residents, $8.00 non for vehicles. Camper's are also allowed for an additional fee. Dogs are welcome and can be unleashed through a separate beach entrance. The park itself is densely populated with trees and just incredible. Watch out for ticks here.. This is a little paradise. Take the 57 steps up the Outlook for amazing views. Walk up the hilly sand dunes and explore...this is a fresh water sand dune park and worth the destination. Amazing landscapes here.. Park itself is very well kept and clean. Showers and restrooms are located at entrance with vending machine. A few small grills and picnic tables are on site... I can't say enough good things about our experience here... Amazing park. Stay for the sunset!