Duck Lake State Park

Duck Lake State Park is a picturesque and accessible park in Michigan offering paved, wheelchair-friendly trails, a beautiful beach with both Duck Lake and Lake Michigan access for swimming and relaxing, and plenty of natural beauty including dunes and opportunities for birdwatching and fishing. The park features picnic areas, playgrounds, and well-maintained amenities such as barbecue grills and public restrooms. It’s a family-friendly destination with paid parking and supports payment via debit, credit, and NFC. Visitors praise its tranquil atmosphere and versatile outdoor activities, making it a favored spot for nature lovers and families alike.
Reviews
The best beach!
You can swim in the big lake or Duck Lake, the channel between is perfect for kids to play, and the dunes are amazing.
If you’re into rocks, you might get lucky like me and find fossils and Petoskey stones on almost every trip!
The bathrooms are simple but convenient.
Tranquil Escape at Duck Lake
Duck Lake State Park offers a serene escape into nature that captivates visitors with its tranquil ambiance and diverse outdoor activities. Nestled in the heart of Michigan, this park boasts stunning vistas of Duck Lake and Lake Michigan, creating a picturesque backdrop for exploration. The well-maintained trails wind through lush forests, guiding hikers and nature enthusiasts to breathtaking viewpoints. The sandy shores of Lake Michigan provide a serene spot for relaxation or beachcombing.
The park’s greatest draw lies in its vibrant ecosystem, which offers opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, and wildlife observation. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice adventurer, the fishing options are abundant, ensuring a satisfying experience for all. Families can enjoy picnicking areas and playgrounds, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
While the park’s facilities and amenities are generally well-kept, some visitors might find the restroom facilities in need of more frequent maintenance. Overall, Duck Lake State Park is a hidden gem that offers a refreshing escape from urban life, where the harmonious blend of landscapes and recreational options create an inviting haven for nature lovers of all ages.
Beautiful park with a decent size shore by lake Mi, I stopped there for few hours and was totally worth the trip! Water waves are big, blue water and the sand is soft, it’s one of the few parks where I would visit over and over … I recommend visiting!!
So far my fav. Why? There are options. Swimmable lake and you can walk under the bridge to the big lake. Come later in the day and people give you the lake to yourself. Check out the Potter( pottery studio) on your way in!
This is a lovely beach and the trails are amazing! They are paved, and so they are wheelchair friendly. There are some stairs at some places in the trail, but you can get on and off without using stairs. Simply gorgeous! We loved how the trail took us to the beach, and then we were able to walk through the water in Duck Lake to Lake Michigan.