Duck Lake State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Duck Lake State Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Duck Lake: 1940s-era postcard view
Duck Lake State Park Location in Michigan
Location	Fruitland Township, Muskegon County, Michigan, United States
Nearest city	Whitehall, Michigan
Area	728 acres (295 ha)
Elevation	620 feet (190 m)
Designation	Michigan state park
Established	1974
Administrator	Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Website	Duck Lake State Park

Duck Lake State Park is a fun outdoor area in Michigan. It covers about 728 acres and sits right next to the big Lake Michigan. You can find it near the town of Whitehall in Muskegon County.

A special part of this state park is its huge sand dune. The park also has a beautiful road called Scenic Drive. This road is part of the Shoreline Trail route in Muskegon County.

How the Park Started

Duck Lake State Park has an interesting history. The land was first bought by a group called the Nature Conservancy. They bought it from two Boy Scout groups. Later, in 1974, the state of Michigan took over the land. The park officially opened its doors to visitors in 1988.

Fun Things to Do

Duck Lake State Park offers many activities for visitors to enjoy.

Water Activities

• Swimming: There is a beach at the mouth of Duck Lake. It is a popular spot for swimming on warm days.
• Fishing: You can also go fishing at the beach area.
• Boating: The park has a special place to launch your boat.

Trails and Scenery

• Paved Trail: A half-mile paved trail goes around Duck Lake. It is great for walking or biking.
• Scenic Drive: Enjoy a drive along the park's Scenic Drive. It offers great views of the area.

Other Activities

• Picnicking: The park has areas where you can enjoy a picnic with your family and friends.
• Snowmobiling: In winter, you can go snowmobiling.
• Cross-country Skiing: When there's snow, cross-country skiing is another fun winter activity.
• Hunting: Some areas of the park are open for hunting.