Lake Harbor Park

This was a beautiful park I visited with my children and my dog. If you go right, you can take a nice nature hike all the way down to Lake Michigan. With amazing views both ways at the end. The kids can run up and down the dunes in areas if they would like. Turn around and go left, and you are at Mona Lake. Ducks were swimming, people boating, paddleboarding, and fishing. What a lovely place to soak in the earth in the city.

There is a nice sized parking lot. We have never had a problem finding a parking spot. The path is wide and level. It is an easy walk to the beach. The park is always clean as well. There are Porter potties on site.

Just one of my favorite places in the world...

Some friends bright me here 20 or so years ago and I thought it was such a cool place. I've always been used to huge public beaches with tons of people, or rocky private beaches on the east side. This beach/park is better than either. A big lake beach with very few people.

A nice 10-15min walk from the parking lot to the actual beach is a nice lead up and cool down. There are pavilions and other public park services right next to the parking area. There is a paved path that goes East around the northwest side of Mona Lake. That path also continues West, traveling through the woods before meeting the boardwalk which goes by the canal to the beach There is also a stairway leading up to the bluffs.

It's so beautiful from the up there. I proposed to my wife there over a decade ago since it was our favorite spot. Still hasn't lost any of the magic. In fact, they've added a little bit here and there over the years. Fair warning, though, that if you are expecting large swaths of sandy goodness, like Grand Haven, you will be disappointed. In fact, in recent years with higher water levels, the beach has been known to disappear entirely at times. So you may be in for a hike along the beach to find an open spot during really busy days. You'll know what you're in for if the parking is full.

Additional bathroom facilities (port-a-johns) have been added along the path, but there is nothing close to the beach anymore.

Overall, it's one of those out of the way secrets of Michigan. Not much else can compare. When I think of "the Lake", this is what I picture!

Lake Harbor Park is one my family’s favorite place to hike. We love to visit all year round, even in the winter. There’s so many different areas you can explore, yet at the same time, you’re never too far from your car in the parking lot (which helps if you don’t always want to carry a ton of stuff). There’s easier, level paths to walk on (either going under the bridge towards Mona Lake, or the path going towards Lake Michigan), and then there’s medium to difficult terrain up in the sand dunes. Beautiful views either way!

After driving almost an hour from GR trying to go to the state park nearby, we were denied at their gate due to not having an updated license. They told us this was also a good spot so with no other choice, we came.
This place definitely saved the day, adults and kids all had a blast climbing the inclined sand dunes and hiking the forest area that heads to the beach, so fun for everyone and definitely a challenge for all haha
⚠⚠ BEACH HAS HORSE FLIES THAT BITE HARD AND ARE HARD TO REPEL ⚠⚠
- parking is free w/ handicapped parking
- porta-potties 🚻🚽
- BBQ area w BBQ's, seating and sun cover

An absolute hidden gem. If you are from Michigan, an absolute must see. Hike, sand surfing, beach, beach volleyball and swimming. Dunes and views are awesome and pavilion is available with dock fishing.

If you love to hike and enjoy sand dunes this is a great location! Family friendly as our 7, 10 and 11 year olds just went up 3 and down 3 dunes with energy to spare! It is a little walk from parking lot to the beach, but the main path offers an easy walk part crushed limestone part paved.

Went to this spot just for a short stop while
In town. I am so glad, it was a long beautiful walk to the beach. I would recommend anyone go to this park. It is wonderful.

This is an awesome place to hike the dunes, enjoy lake Michigan shoreline, Take a walk along the harbor or take a picnic break. Parking is free

This was my first time at Lake Harbor Park. The temporary closing/construction at PJ Hoffmaster has me learning all kinds of new spots. This park wasn’t busy, has mostly Sunny but a few shady spots you could access to sit and read. Used a little lake water to finish my watercolor guide, did some reading, and even dipped in the water. Real bathrooms would have been fab - I’m fighting a UTI, but I’ll get a kidney infection before using a portajohn. Tons of trails, some we took by accident and others on purpose. Overall will likely return with pit stops at a gas station before and after in the future.

I lived in Muskegon, Michigan for about 7 years and including a few summers (back from college) beyond those seven.

Almost without exception Lake Harbor Park is one of the places that I return to every single time I visit (which is often, to see family).

I love the trails that wind through Whitey's Woods. I love the beach. It's a place that's full of personal memories, but the trails, the woods, the dunes, the trees and the water make it a really magical place to spend hours regardless of the season.

On this day we hiked up to check out a spot to place a memorial for Alex Seriani~R.I.P.
Sandy is going to keep Alexis memorial so the sealer has time to cure . she plans on placing it this spring,I imagine Alexis mother picking a beautiful sunny day with a Michigan breeze and the smell of our beautiful spring air.
Alex absolutely Loves this place.
I know He and Benjamin spent much time there
So many memories ,so much Serenity.

A beautiful park! There are so many trails and the map at the parking lot is extremely helpful!

Great place to hike around! We took the kids and had a great time. Wonderful views all around, whether in the woods or on Lake Michigan. There are definitely some intense hills to climb if you're up for the challenge. We hiked about 2 miles and felt like we barely explored. We will go back next time we are I Muskegon!

This is a great place to visit. The landscape is beautiful. The setting of this park in the dunes The nice leisurely stroll to the beach is well maintained.

What a hidden gem! Lovely paved walk along a channel from Mona Lake to Lake MI with Picnic shelters and porta potties. Color coded trails are great but a bit hard to follow, just enjoy the varying landscapes from beach to dunes to forest! With Hoffmeister State Park closed, this is a delightful alternative!

Nice park with places to BBQ, walk your dog, geo catch, Pokémon go, swim or just enjoy hiking. Paths are decent to make your own in some places. Lots of shade. Parking is ok. There are a few portapotties on site.

Fun little quiet park. Plenty of picnic tables near the parking lot. Nicely shaded grassy area. The park has access to the sandy Lake Michigan beach with a relatively flat 0.3 mile trail. Climb over the dune for a more exciting adventure to the beach. There is fishing off a small boardwalk by the river, a covered picnic area and a porter potty. Very tight water access to launch a kayak, canoe or SUP. Sand and rocks in the creek bed. Nice fee place to visit on a beautiful summer day.

Beautiful park for a picnic with picnic tables and shade trees. The beach was beautiful, sandy, and clean. We enjoyed the paths, though, they really need maintenance. They need remarked clearly.

I've driven past this park more times than I can count over the last 10 years and finally scheduled time to stop and check it out. It's much bigger than I realized! The trails are nice, there are a few nice picnic areas, and fishing spots along the river. I didn't make it down to the beach, but based on the number of cars in the lot it must be popular!