Dune Harbor Park Muskegon County

A park that’s close to everything, yet away from it all.

Dune Harbor Park Muskegon County is Muskegon County’s newest and largest park. The addition of the former Nugent Sand property adds 377 acres of land including several miles of trails along forested dunes, and two inland lakes ideal for kayaking, fishing, and nature viewing. It is located in Norton Shores and not far from Roosevelt Park, Muskegon Heights and the City of Muskegon. Master Planning for Dune Harbor Park is currently in progress.

A Muskegon County Park Pass is required year round for all motor vehicles using the park and is conveniently available to purchase at the self serve kiosk in each parking lot. A $7.00 day pass or $25.00 season pass(valid though the calendar year) are the pass options offered. An Muskegon County Park Annual Pass can also be purchased at Muskegon Visitor Center, or at Norton Shores City Hall or at Pioneer Park. Present your Muskegon County Annual Parking Pass kiosk receipt at either location to exchange for an actual park sticker to put on your vehicle.

The “South Lake” has two parking lots, one off of Lincoln Street (3071 Lincoln Ave. Norton Shores, Mi 49441) and the other one off of Seminole Rd. (2161 Seminole Rd. Norton Shores, Mi 49441). The South Lake has a 2.3 mile sandy trail that goes around the entire lake.

The “North Lake” can be accessed from the trail that begins at the Lincoln Lot going northwest to a crosswalk. The crosswalk leads across the dirt road, “Winnetaska Rd.”, to the North Lake, no parking is allowed along Winnetaska Rd.

Lake Michigan Beach can be accessed on the sandy trail that leads west from the crosswalk northwest to Lake Michigan. The trail continues to the north along the North Lakes edge and skirts along a the edge of the forested dune. Private property begins to the north and northeast, it is not allowed to walk around the entire North Lake as county park property ends and private property begins. Please follow the private property signs.

The acquisition has been made possible by Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, the generous past landowner, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, and Muskegon County Parks Department.

Fishing at Dune Harbor Muskegon County Park

Fishing at Dune Harbor Muskegon County Park

At Dune Harbor Park in both the North and South Lakes, fishing regulations are currently “Catch and Release Only.” This decision was made at the park’s opening and will be revisited after we collect and analyze data from ongoing fish studies to effectively manage the fish populations in the two man-made lakes created by sand mining. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we strive to balance ecological health with the public’s enjoyment of our Muskegon County Parks.

Directions

From Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit:

Take I-96 West towards Muskegon, then continue straight ahead
to BUS-31 North. Turn left at the Seminole Road exit and the right onto
Seminole. Go west on Seminole Road approximately 2.75 miles to the parking lot
area, where Seminole curves south to Norton Hills Road. Watch for signs and parking
attendants.

From the North:

Take US 31 South towards Muskegon, then BUS-31 South toward
downtown Muskegon. Continue south on BUS-31 approximately 6.75 miles past the
Meijer to the traffic signal is Seminole Road; take a right onto Seminole Road
westbound and continue west on Seminole approximately 2.75 miles to the parking
lot area, where Seminole curves south to Norton Hills Road. Watch for signs and
parking attendants.

From the South:

Take I-196/US-31 North towards Muskegon, then
turn right onto the BUS-31 North ramp. Continue on BUS-31 North approximately
2.75 miles to the Seminole Road exit, then turn right onto westbound Seminole. Continue
west on Seminole approximately 2.75 miles to the parking lot area, where
Seminole curves south to Norton Hills Road. Watch for signs.

Photos courtesy of Kristine Tyler and The Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Dune Harbor County Park Hours of Operation

Day Use:
Open daily throughout the year.

Hours vary:
8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. May – September
Sunrise to Sunset October – April