Muskegon State Park - Channel Campground
In early May, 2017, we spent a weekend at the Channel Campground at Muskegon State Park. This is another park is packed in the summer months, but is less full in the "shoulder" seasons. We love to come to this park each year in the early season and then come back in the fall season, in part because this park is beautiful but also because it's close to home. That way, in the spring, we can run home easily to get something that got left at home during the winter, and in the fall, we can start unpacking the camper to get everything out that we don't want to store for the winter.
The Channel Campground has two separate loops. The "First Loop" has 10-12 campsites which are located right along the Muskegon Channel. We always try to get one of these sites, because they offer a great vantage point to watch boats coming and going throughout the day. We especially love it when the Lake Express car ferry comes by, because it is such an amazing boat to watch operate!
Sites in the First Loop are relatively small and close together, but in the spring, that's fine. Each site is paved and has the typical Michigan state park fire ring and picnic table. Most of these sites are listed as only being able to accommodate an RV up to 25 or 30 feet. However, a larger RV can fit on most of them. The inner sites in the First Loop are mostly small, and would accommodate a tent or small RV well.
The bathhouse in the First Loop is somewhat outdated. Restrooms have older style tile on the walls and floors, but have some modern updates like automatic flushing toilets, automatic soap dispensers and automatic hand dryers. The showers were our of order while we were there, but it appeared as though they were in the process of being fixed. The bathhouse in the First Loop is probably due for an update soon.
The "Second Loop" also has some great sites, especially those that are located right on Muskegon Lake. In the past, we have stayed in these sites and enjoyed great views! The majority of the sites in the Second Loop are larger and can comfortably allow room for a larger RV and tow vehicle. Some of these sites are also pull-through for ease of parking.
Most sites within the Channel Campground are quite sunny, and are probably quite warm in the summer months. Being so close to the water, there are always great breezes though, so it is probably not oppressively hot.
We were able to pick up several television channels over the air, and we had great cell service in the park. One sanitation station with two lanes serves the 150ish sites of the First Loop and Second Loop, and several dumpsters for trash, including an option to recycle.
Muskegon State Park has several trails for hiking, both within the campground and in several other areas throughout the park. The park also has a Block House with great views of Lake Michigan when it is open in the summer months. There is a great beach with lots of parking available, and the walk from the parking lot to the waters edge is not terribly long. The Lake Michigan bathhouse was closed while we were there, but it appeared to be quite large.
A second campground right along the shore of Lake Michigan is available toward the northern end of the park, which is much more wooded and offers sites with a lot more shade. The Lake Michigan campground also has two loops, the southern of which is quite unlevel and appears to be reserved for very small RVs and tents. The northern loop of the Lake Michigan campground has sites that can house larger RVs. This park is also right across the street from the Winter Sports Complex, which offers many trails and outdoor activities year-round.
We have visited this park often, and will surely be back again soon!
The Channel Campground has two separate loops. The "First Loop" has 10-12 campsites which are located right along the Muskegon Channel. We always try to get one of these sites, because they offer a great vantage point to watch boats coming and going throughout the day. We especially love it when the Lake Express car ferry comes by, because it is such an amazing boat to watch operate!
Sites in the First Loop are relatively small and close together, but in the spring, that's fine. Each site is paved and has the typical Michigan state park fire ring and picnic table. Most of these sites are listed as only being able to accommodate an RV up to 25 or 30 feet. However, a larger RV can fit on most of them. The inner sites in the First Loop are mostly small, and would accommodate a tent or small RV well.
The bathhouse in the First Loop is somewhat outdated. Restrooms have older style tile on the walls and floors, but have some modern updates like automatic flushing toilets, automatic soap dispensers and automatic hand dryers. The showers were our of order while we were there, but it appeared as though they were in the process of being fixed. The bathhouse in the First Loop is probably due for an update soon.
The "Second Loop" also has some great sites, especially those that are located right on Muskegon Lake. In the past, we have stayed in these sites and enjoyed great views! The majority of the sites in the Second Loop are larger and can comfortably allow room for a larger RV and tow vehicle. Some of these sites are also pull-through for ease of parking.
Most sites within the Channel Campground are quite sunny, and are probably quite warm in the summer months. Being so close to the water, there are always great breezes though, so it is probably not oppressively hot.
We were able to pick up several television channels over the air, and we had great cell service in the park. One sanitation station with two lanes serves the 150ish sites of the First Loop and Second Loop, and several dumpsters for trash, including an option to recycle.
Muskegon State Park has several trails for hiking, both within the campground and in several other areas throughout the park. The park also has a Block House with great views of Lake Michigan when it is open in the summer months. There is a great beach with lots of parking available, and the walk from the parking lot to the waters edge is not terribly long. The Lake Michigan bathhouse was closed while we were there, but it appeared to be quite large.
A second campground right along the shore of Lake Michigan is available toward the northern end of the park, which is much more wooded and offers sites with a lot more shade. The Lake Michigan campground also has two loops, the southern of which is quite unlevel and appears to be reserved for very small RVs and tents. The northern loop of the Lake Michigan campground has sites that can house larger RVs. This park is also right across the street from the Winter Sports Complex, which offers many trails and outdoor activities year-round.
We have visited this park often, and will surely be back again soon!
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