Name: Lake Harbor Beach Park
Address: 4635 Lake Harbor Road, Norton Shores, MI, 49441

Located about 45 minutes northwest of downtown Grand Rapids, this 189-acre park is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, hiking and picnicking. Dogs are allowed in off-beach areas.

Lake Harbor Beach Park features 4,000 feet of footage on Lake Michigan, 2,000 feet on the Mona Lake Channel and 1,500 feet on Mona Lake. The walkway along Mona Lake provides an ideal fishing area. A picnic area with tables, grills, shelter and restrooms overlooks the channel. An interpretive trail leads to sand dunes, a wooden walkway with observation decks and a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan. There are also many other natural trails leading to Lake Michigan. No animals are allowed on the beach, but dogs are permitted, on a leash, in all other areas of the park.

No fees or passes required.

Lake Harbor Beach Park

We are an economic generator through sports tourism for Greater Grand Rapids and Kent County in the West Michigan area.

We own and operate an award winning baseball/softball complex; the Meijer Sports Complex [www.MeijerSportsComplex.com](https://www.MeijerSportsComplex.com) featuring eight fields, including a championship field that seats 1,000.

Our signature event, the Meijer State Games of Michigan (Olympic-style sporting event), draws 10,000 athletes through 60+ sports in its Winter and Summer Games.  We work with many of our local sports clubs and organizations to host various regional and national tournaments.

Why Grand Rapids? We have:
•	12,000 + hotel rooms (2,500 downtown)
•	234,000 square foot downtown convention center (fits 40 volleyball courts)
•	12,000 seat Van Andel Arena
•	5 facilities that feature 4+ courts and multiple grass or turf fields
•	Grant program for new events
•	and more!

West Michigan Sports Commission

Muskegon restaurant 40 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids offers 40 draft beers on taps and an impressive menu of burgers, sandwiches, entrees and more.

Pints & Quarts

Situated on 3 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline and featuring mighty sand dunes plus 10 miles of scenic trails, this park is approximately 50 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. Pet-friendly!

The park is also home to a modern campground and the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, which offers exhibits and educational programming. The Dune Overlook Trail is a half-mile roundtrip journey with about 220 steps and benches along the way. The 2-mile-long Homestead Trail is a more moderately steep hike that includes a stop at Lake Michigan. There are two beach wheelchairs available to borrow. Pets are allowed along the entire length of the Lake Michigan shoreline apart from the designated swim area. Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control.

All Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for entry. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport at any state park or recreation area or online at https://midnrreservations.com/store (allow 2-3 weeks for delivery). A day pass for nonresidents is $11, an annual pass is $40. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport by checking “YES” when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State. You can also purchase the Recreation Passport by mail, kiosk, online at [www.expresssos.com](https://onlineservices.michigan.gov/ExpressSOS) or at SoS branch offices.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

This 52-acre park about 50 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids offers one mile of beautiful Lake Michigan beach along with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dunes. Pet-friendly!

Norman F. Kruse Park features nature trails, accessible dune walks and overlooks, a half-court for basketball, a playground, restrooms, four picnic shelters and ample parking. The northern part of the park is designated a “dog beach” and is available for leashed dogs and their owners to enjoy. There are stairs and accessible boardwalks to the beach area and into the dunes.

Visitors are required to have a parking pass from May 15-September 15. Non-resident beach parking passes are available for $20 and may be purchased from several kiosks in the paid parking area. Daily passes are available at kiosks for $7 Monday-Thursday and $10 Friday-Sunday.

Norman F Kruse Park

This 27-acre park in [Muskegon](https://www.experiencegr.com/articles/post/muskegon/) features a beautiful expanse of clean, sandy beach that is surf raked daily. Swim, sunbathe, play volleyball, kiteboard and more, all one hour from downtown Grand Rapids.

Pere Marquette Park also features a restaurant, snack bar, paddle board and jet ski rentals, on-site kiteboarding rentals and lessons, an accessible playground, picnic tables and modern restrooms. There is a 200-foot accessible walkway and a beach wheelchair that can be borrowed from the park’s concession stand. Kruse Park’s dog beach is one block away.

Visitors are required to have a parking pass from May 15-September 15. Non-resident beach parking passes are available for $20 and may be purchased from several kiosks in the paid parking area. Daily passes are available at kiosks for $7 Monday-Thursday and $10 Friday-Sunday.

Pere Marquette Park

This 65.5-acre stretch of shoreline lies between [Pere Marquette](https://www.experiencegr.com/listing/pere-marquette-park/5799/) and [Norman F Kruse](https://www.experiencegr.com/listing/norman-f-kruse-park/5800/) parks in [Muskegon](https://www.experiencegr.com/articles/post/muskegon/), about 43 miles from downtown Grand Rapids. The park features sandy beaches and steeply ascending dunes.

Lake Michigan Park is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking and hiking/biking – the 12-mile-long Muskegon Lakeshore Trail is accessible from three spots in the park. Portable restrooms and ample parking. No fees or permits required.

Lake Michigan Park

**The Muskegon Tour Company is the West Michigan Lakeshore’s “Original” Tour Company specializing in guided tours, step-on-guides, and event planning services for Muskegon and the surrounding lakeshore areas. Our expert local Tour Guides are storytellers who add a personal touch, making each tour a unique experience!**

**Explore the area’s rich history, beautiful architecture, historic buildings, world-class art, impressive cultural sites, stunning natural beauty, favorite eateries, local breweries, award-winning distilleries, recreation, and vibrant social scene.**

Muskegon Tour Company

A popular day-use park in Whitehall, about one hour from downtown Grand Rapids, Duck Lake State Park is home to Duck Lake, a half mile of Lake Michigan shoreline and towering sand dunes. Pet-friendly!

A shallow channel connecting Duck Lake and Lake Michigan is perfect for water play with little ones. The park also features a boat launch, kayak rentals, a picnic area and shelter, and opportunities for swimming, paddling, fishing, hiking, hunting and cross-county skiing. Pets are allowed along the entire length of the Duck Lake and Michigan shoreline; they must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control. Roughly 7 miles of natural surface trails traverse a mix of forested sand dunes and open meadows.

All Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for entry. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport at any state park or recreation area or online at https://midnrreservations.com/store (allow 2-3 weeks for delivery). A day pass for nonresidents is $11, an annual pass is $40. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport by checking “YES” when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State. You can also purchase the Recreation Passport by mail, kiosk, online at [www.expresssos.com](https://onlineservices.michigan.gov/ExpressSOS) or at SoS branch offices.

Duck Lake State Park

Home to 3 miles of breathtaking shoreline, swimming facilities, forested dunes, two campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and more, Muskegon State Park is one hour northwest of downtown Grand Rapids.

One of the park's most popular features is the blockhouse built in the 1930s to provide opportunities for visitors to see in all directions. It sits on the highest point in Muskegon County. There are also 12 miles of trails, two fishing piers and a boat launch. The [park's track chair](https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/accessibility/Track-Chairs) – capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water – expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chair is available for visitors to borrow at no cost. Pets are allowed along the Lake Michigan shoreline outside of the designated swimming area (except for a marked piping plover nest habitat). Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control.

All Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for entry. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport at any state park or recreation area or online at https://midnrreservations.com/store (allow 2-3 weeks for delivery). A day pass for nonresidents is $11, an annual pass is $40. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport by checking “YES” when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State. You can also purchase the Recreation Passport by mail, kiosk, online at [www.expresssos.com](https://onlineservices.michigan.gov/ExpressSOS) or at SoS branch offices.

Muskegon State Park

This seven-acre waterfront park 45 minutes from Grand Rapids offers swimming and sunbathing along 745 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Visitors can swim, play volleyball and climb the wooden stairway to the top of a dune for a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. North Beach Park also offers a playground, picnic tables and grills, modern restrooms and ample parking. During the summer, a barrier-free beach walkway is maintained. An accessible beach wheelchair designed to navigate the sand and float in the water is available free-of-charge for park visitors. Dogs are not permitted from May 1-September 30; they must be leashed and under control when visiting during the off season.

North Beach Park is an Ottawa County Park requiring a parking permit from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Annual permits are $25; daily permits are $8. There are additional discounts for residents and resident seniors, which are available when you purchase your permit [online](https://ottawacounty.cmrpay.com/dashboard/landing). Permits may also be purchased from the pay station North Beach Park.

North Beach Park

This 48-acre park is set along a half-mile of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. Ideal for camping, fishing, sunbathing, volleyball and swimming, it’s about 35 miles from downtown Grand Rapids.

Grand Haven State Park consists primarily of sandy beach and provides scenic views of the Grand Haven pier and two lighthouses. It’s home to a modern campground, overnight lodge, designated swim beach, picnic areas and a beach pavilion. The adjacent boardwalk along the Grand River is a popular fishing destination. The [park's three track chairs](https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/accessibility/Track-Chairs) – capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water – expand access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chairs are available for visitors to borrow at no cost.

All Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for entry. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport at any state park or recreation area or online at https://midnrreservations.com/store (allow 2-3 weeks for delivery). A day pass for nonresidents is $11, an annual pass is $40. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport by checking “YES” when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State. You can also purchase the Recreation Passport by mail, kiosk, online at [www.expresssos.com](https://onlineservices.michigan.gov/ExpressSOS) or at SoS branch offices.

Grand Haven State Park

Lakeside Beach features a sandy beach area, restrooms, shelters with picnic tables and a deck with benches overlooking Spring Lake, about 32 miles from downtown Grand Rapids. A lifeguard is on duty.

Built on the site of the former cross-lake ferry dark, Lakeside Beach is free to the public. There are popular bicycle paths nearby.

Lakeside Beach

Four days of championship foosball in Grand Rapids. Juniors and touring professionals play at the same tables. Every dollar raised helps put free foosball tables in schools.

The Great Lakes Classic

Gear up for the 2026 University of Michigan Health - West Grand Rapids Marathon, a thrilling all-ages multi-sport event set to energize the vibrant streets of Grand Rapids on October 18, 2026!  Traverse the scenic landscapes of Michigan's second-largest city as you race towards triumph amidst the community's cheers. 

University of Michigan Health - West Grand Rapids Marathon

The 2026 Thunderfest Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, presented by Fusion Medical, is a Grand Rapids Thunder home tournament taking place October 24–25, 2026, at MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This six-team Division II–III wheelchair rugby competition welcomes athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials, with lunch and a tournament T-shirt provided to participants. Tournament schedules will be emailed after rosters are received, with roster submissions due October 13.

Thunderfest Wheelchair Rugby Tournament

The 2nd annual Women's 3x3 Unified Basketball Tournament is taking place in West Michigan in November 2026! Teams throughout the nation will compete for the gold medal in a thrilling 4-day experience.

Special Olympics North America Women's 3x3 Unified Basketball Tournament

The mission of Special Olympics Michigan is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship among their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. The athletes achieve their dreams with the support of caring volunteers, coaches, family members and staff. Donations from Michigan citizens and businesses provide funding for the program.



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