Ready to blaze a trail on your toboggan?
Pack your winter wear and sled and head for a beach town with "a reason for every season" - Muskegon, Michigan!
Sleigh snow-covered dunes along 26 miles of Lake Michigan Shoreline. Hit the hills at city parks. Slide through state parks filled with frosted pines.
Top Five Sledding Hills:
Beachwood Park
This city park is active all year long with its playground, basketball court, pickle ball courts, fire pit, 2 sledding hills and occasionally an ice-skating rink.
Don't have a sled? No worries! There is a Little Free Sled Library at the base of the smaller sledding hill. Warm up with hot cocoa or a steaming hot dog from Patti Wagon Food. While the permanent restroom is closed for the season, a porta-potty makes it easy to stay a little longer at Beachwood Park! Plenty of paved parking can be found at Beach St and Bluffton Ave.
Location: 3157 Dune St, Muskegon. Near Pere Marquette Beach Click here for map
Hanson St. Hill
Get a great view of White Lake from the top of Hanson St. Hill. Warm up at a gorgeous fire pit with circular seating located at "The Commons" (directly behind Fetch Brewing Company and next to Mylan's Waterfront Grille).
If you need some visitor information, the White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau is conveniently located at the foot of the hill! Ask them about special winter events; there are always many planned. Find parking at the north end of North Mears Avenue, Lions Park or along W. Colby Ave
Location: 1st St, Whitehall, MI. Across Hanson St from the White Lake Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau and Lions Park. Or, behind Fetch Brewing Company and next to Mylan's Restaurant. Click here for map
Hoffmaster State Park
More of a location than a specific hill, PJ Hoffmaster State Park is situated along 3 miles of picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline. This state park offers seasonal camping, scenic trails and dynamic dunes...many of which are perfect for sledding.
Plenty of paved parking can be found by following signs to the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center. A yearly or day Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.
Location: 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores. Where W Pontaluna and Lake Harbor Roads converge Click here for map
Lake Harbor Park
189-acre Lake Harbor Park comes with stunning views of Lake Michigan, Mona Lake and the Mona Lake Channel between.
All year round one can enjoy the trails, picnic areas, observation decks and Lake Michigan shoreline. Come winter, it is a favorite for sledders. Parking can be found on the west-side of Lake Harbor Rd, near the mouth of the Mona Lake Channel.
Location: 4635 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores. On the north side the Mona Lake Channel. Click here for map
Sugar Bowl Dune at Muskegon State Park
Located in Muskegon State Park, Sugar Bowl Dune is one of the tallest sledding hills in Muskegon County; this one is not for the faint of heart! Even if you choose not to sled, the climb is worth it for the breathtaking views of a frozen Lake Michigan.
Find a parking loop at the foot of the hill on Scenic Drive - just south of where Memorial Drive ends. More parking, and smaller hills, can be found by continuing south to the Channel Beach Pavilion.
Location: Muskegon State Park, between Scenic Dr. and Channel Beach Pavilion. Click here for map
More Local Favorites:
Johnny O. Harris Memorial Park Part of the 10 ½ acre Johnny O. Harris Memorial Park includes Harris Nature Park. In this section of the park, families can find a friendly sized sledding hill.
There is a paved parking next to the hill. It can be reached from the intersection of Mona View Dr and E. Summit Ave.
Location: Broadway Ave, Muskegon Heights Click here for map
McGraft Park A family friendly snow hill is located to the west of the permanent stage. Winter frisbee golfers can get in 18 holes at this scenic park, flanked by a wooded ravine to the west and a lagoon to the east.
Parking is located directly across Madison St. overlooking Ruddiman Creek and Lagoon. Plenty of paved parking is available at the entrance to the park at Wickham Dr. and Glen Ave. (This requires a short walk through the park).
Location: Glen Ave, Muskegon. Click here for map
Pine Ridge Park This Egelston Township hill was an MLive contender for "Best Places to Sled"! Check out the story here. Parking available at entrance to park.
Location: White Road just east of Wolf Lake Road in Egleston Township Click here for map
Smith-Ryerson Park Famous as the annual location for the Muskegon Maranda Park Parties, Smith Ryerson Park is also home to the City of Muskegon's newest disc golf course. Sledding is also a family-fun past-time at this 23-acre park. Ample paved parking at Marshall St and Sumner Ave.
Location: 650 Wood St, Muskegon Click here for map
Thatcher Park: This park is a little gem tucked away in Ravenna - and is full of surprises. Along with the popular winter sledding hill, visitors can take photos with the working water wheel, traverse the trails that lead to observation decks and a hidden slide built into the hill! A paved parking lot is at the entrance to the park from Main St.
Location: Main St, Ravenna. Click here for map
The Ultimate Sledding Experience!
We would be remiss not to mention the granddaddy of all sledding opportunities, the luge at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park! One of only four public luge tracks in the country, the 850-foot track is designed for first time sliders with top speeds reaching about 30 mph.
Location: 462 Scenic Drive, N. Muskegon. Located in the Muskegon State Park