A Family’s Accessible Adventure in Muskegon: Adaptive Activities and Inclusive Parks

The outdoors and accessibility can be testy companions. Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park showed us just how inclusive an outdoor adventure destination can be.

Nice to Meet You! 

A quick introduction to our family: I’m Anthony, the father and writer of this piece, and my wife Jodie and I have two kids, Connor (12) and Aster (9) St. Clair. We are the Learners and Makers, a family passionate about travel and inspiring people with mobility disabilities to travel.

Our goal is to help families explore the world in ways that work for them. Jodie is an above-knee amputee and uses a prosthetic leg. Traveling together is important to us, and we love sharing new experiences as a family. This was our first visit to Muskegon County, Michigan!

We want to thank Visit Muskegon for sponsoring our visit. However, this article reflects our own personal opinions and experiences.

Outdoor Adventures for All Abilities at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park

The walkie-talkie crackled with requests for staff and adaptive gear to help a guest with a disability run the luge or zipline. The next thing we knew, park staff were talking to Jodie and making an access plan so she could use the ziplines, the luge, and more with her prosthetic leg.

Located inside Muskegon State Park, Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park has made accessibility a priority in its year-round outdoor recreation options. From adaptive luge sleds to track chairs designed for trails, the park goes beyond the basics to ensure guests of all abilities can enjoy the outdoors.

Standing on the zipline platform looking down 1,300 feet of zipline, we noticed a bunch of pulleys leading up to the main platform.

“What are those for?”

“When someone’s mobility doesn’t allow them to get up the stairs,” our guide explained, “we can secure them in a hoist, bring them up to the platform, and get them ready for the zipline.”

The outdoors and accessibility can be testy companions. It’s not always easy to strike a balance between natural recreation spaces and broadening mobility access for people with disabilities or impairments. Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park showed us just how inclusive an outdoor adventure destination can be.

“From its activity spaces to outdoor recreation, Muskegon has made a commitment to accessibility.”

During our visit, we could go as relaxed (like cornhole or disc golf in the yard) or as adventurous (luge track) as we wanted. Some guests had joint issues. Others used wheelchairs or, like Jodie, had limb differences. We were impressed not only by how many visitors with disabilities were there but by how well-prepared the staff were to assist guests with the equipment and support they needed to fully participate. While Connor and I cheered them on from below, Jodie and Aster soared over the forest on the dual zipline.

Expanding accessibility has been a major initiative for Muskegon Luge, which operates different attractions throughout the seasons. In addition to adaptive options for their main adventure areas, four track chairs are available for use around the grounds and hiking trails.

Also waiting that day for the zipline was a troop of scouts. Another visitor, there with her son, had never gone ziplining before. She decided her 80th birthday was the perfect time to try.

Connor and Aster both tackled the 38 foot climbing wall—Aster made it to the top of one of the wall’s three sections! After a quick archery primer, we all popped our balloon bullseye targets.

Jodie and the kids zipped down the wheel luge track, with staff providing a special luge rack that fit her prosthetic, plus ties to help secure it. Designed by USA Luge Hall of Fame inductee Frank Masley, the Muskegon Luge track is one of only four publicly accessible luge tracks in the U.S. offer both a summer wheel luge or winter sled luge experience.

Rolling back into camp that night after our adaptive adventure, Aster yawned—and joked that she didn’t know why she was so tired.

“It was only after a day of zipline, luge, archery, and rock climbing, after all.”

Mobility Tip

Muskegon Luge staff were welcoming, compassionate, and respectful. They asked Jodie specific questions about walking distances and worked with her to determine what adjustments would make each activity accessible.

Trails and paths are natural surfaces, with uneven areas and inclines. For activities like the zipline, staff can shuttle participants between platforms. While they can assist upon arrival, it’s helpful to contact Muskegon Luge before your visit to check on considerations, limitations, or options so they’re ready to assist when you arrive.

Bonus for RVers: Duck Creek RV Park combines comfy camping with waterslides and more

Our family vacation in Muskegon was part of a larger RV trip through the Great Lakes region. Driving our 25’ Class C motorhome, we were happy to get quickly checked in and settled at Duck Creek RV Resort.

Paths and wide roads throughout the well-kept grounds led us to the campground’s private lake with sandy beach and a trail encircling the entire lake. A covered relaxation deck with colorful Adirondack chairs gave us a peaceful spot to watch the water.

Aster played at the playground behind our campsite and perfected her leaping and tumbling on the large inflatable bouncy pillow. The park isn’t just for camping, though.

Guests can enjoy an indoor pool with a retractable roof, a huge waterslide area, an outdoor pool, a lazy river, putt-putt, sport courts, and seasonal events like Halloween hay rides. We could easily see ourselves returning just to spend a few days playing at the campground.

For bigger thrills, Duck Creek sits just across the road from the towering wooden roller coasters and other rides at Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park.

The clean, safe space, caring staff, and options for structured play or a simple walk around the grounds made our stay at Duck Creek RV Park enjoyable and relaxing. Plus, we could rock into Muskegon in about 15 minutes, making Duck Creek a convenient base.