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Print Friendly MapMuskegon's Lakeshore Trail provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, while also passing among beautiful sand dunes, lively parks and the city of Muskegon itself. Small sections of the trail follow designated on-road bike lanes but easily link the segments of this lovely trail.
The trail follows part of the old corridor of a railroad that once served the former Sappi paper mill. Native plant landscaping along the trail has replaced brownfield sites and enhanced the natural aspects. And you'll have access to the historical sites, maritime attractions, the beach, restaurants and seasonal festivals.
The Muskegon Lakeshore Trail loops around Pere Marquette Park, where you can take in South Pier Light Station and the Muskegon Channel.
The trail is also close to other trails in the region, allowing you to extend your journey. Via a short on-road connection, you can reach the Laketon Trail, which in turn ends only a couple blocks from the 25-mile Musketawa Trail.
You can reach the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail directly from the Lake Express terminal. Park at Pere Marquette Park (southern trailhead), Heritage Landing (mid-point) and the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve (North Muskegon trailhead). You can also park along Lakeshore Drive.
This trail is one of the better bikes rides I've ever experienced. Everywhere we turned was a scenic view of Muskegon Lake. Having the Hotel 2 blocks from the trail was definitely a plus.
Definitely going back to the "Deck" beachfront restaurant at Pere Marquette Park.
We caught the Lakeshore trail near our hotel, the Shoreline Inn. We rode out to Lake Michigan, did the Beachwood Boardwalk Loop, then rode back and stayed in the trail until we reached the end. We were wishing in continued around the north side of Muskegon Lake too. The trail was in good shape, mostly flat, with lots of great views of both lakes (Muskegon and Michigan), lots of birds and many boats to look at. The only thing we’d do differently if we did it again is we would take a right at the roundabout and ride down by the submarine. Great ride!
We started at the Lake Michigan beach parking lot ($7/day, no hourly rate) and biked east toward Muskegon. The first two miles were through a residential neighborhood, along a road that was pretty busy for a cool, foggy, mid-day week. At Mike two(where we wish we had parked) the trail became more of a dedicated biking trail and the reconstructed section along the Lakeshre was delightful.
It is open again! As noted elsewhere, there had been some serious damage to the trail due to high water and weather. In addition, a portion was rebuilt as part of cleanup of former use of the shoreline by long-gone industry. This has been completed and improved. The trail is complete again.
We were excited to try this trail, and enjoy the views of both Lake Michigan & Lake Muskegon. We started from Beachwood Park, and took the Boardwalk Loop to connect to the trail. We were only a few miles in before discovering the trail was closed. There were no suggested detours, and heading north, we could find no way back to the trail. On the way back we rode the boardwalk - scenic , but very short ride.
There is a small section that is damaged, but easy detouring is available and this small problem should not present any real reason to avoid the trail.
The trail is closed in one section but has a clearly marked detour through quiet neighborhood streets. We saw no flooding.
There is a flooded section around Mile 4.5 that you can get around by riding in a parking lot, but shortly after that, there is a road closed sign on the trail. We rode around it and quickly discovered that the trail is severely damaged with sections where half of the trail had fallen away. By Mile 3, the trail is completely flood farther than you can see. Not worth going until it is repaired.
Trail is currently flooded in several areas. Can navigate through town but definitely not as pretty.
Can't figure how this one would be 14 miles, but here goes.
Parked at mile 3, near Lake Express car ferry. At mile 2, there is a very large parking lot. The first mile must be on the streets and goes to Pere Marquette Park. Lakeside trail seemed to end just after mile 7 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve in North Muskegon.
The trail did follow along Lake Muskegon. It passed Heritage Landing, the city of Muskegon, some industrial sites, and Hartshorn Marina. Did see the on-street connection to the Musketawa Trail. Did not see any sand dunes, they must be near the beginning near Pere Marquette Park.
Once in North Muskegon, you can take road to pick up the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail.
Downtown Muskegon is very biker friendly with numerous bike racks, shops and places to eat.
Parking is at mile 0, mile 2 Hartshorn Marina and there may be some other places along the trail.
Very flat asphalt paved with numerous numbered wooded boardwalks. A nice trail to get around Muskegon on. Trail follows Lakeshore Drive and Shoreline drive.
Very nice trail along Muskegon Lake. After you pass the ferry dock, it does go out on the road past some old industrial sites. Not the prettiest and the road crossings can be a bit rough, but the reward at the end coming out to Lake Michigan is great. There are some sharp curves, so be careful around those.
I couldn't find the nature preserve to park at, so I ended up parking at the Fisherman's campground. Ample parking there. It cut of a mile or 2, but there was an outhouse there and an information hut with a very helpful person. The ride itself was quiet with many views of the Muskegon Lake. It does go on the street for a mile or so, but there is a designated bike lane that felt very safe. The beach at the end-Pierre Marquette Beach is beautiful! The water was cold and refreshing...that's Lake Michigan!
Easy ride with nice views and along beach, only one section on road not a path. Easiest to park across from tipsy toad (easier to map directions), it's a tourist center. We are walleye at tipsy road after on rooftop, yummy. Probably 10 miles round trip from here.
We started at W. Western Ave (near Holiday Inn Hotel) and rode to Pere Marquette Park. Easy ride with pretty scenery. Fun board walk down there to ride on. At the beach you can catch a hot dog, or we returned to W Western and enjoyed the Tipsy Toad Rooftop. After that we visited the Muskegon Heritage Museum. Very interesting museum, gave us a real appreciation of what a entrepreneurial town it was in its day. For us, again a special visit as my husbands family once owned the Muskegon Brewery. His father told many stories to us about the horse drawn carriages delivering the beer. Regardless, you will love the ride and better enjoy it if you have time to stop in at the museum and enjoy the wonderful beach at Pere Marquette Park. We chose to start at Western as it was rather industrial looking to the East, not pretty.
Awsome family friendly trail with great sights and a great hot dog stand for hungry travelers!! WWII ships, subs, lights houses, marinas wildlife!!!
Nice flat trail which allows views of Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake. Very nice and comfortable ride.
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