Pere Marquette Park Reviews

As our family was driving by, my 14-year-old son and I decided to take a quick walk out to the lighthouse. I didn't have any cash with me as we hadn't expected to need it (it was back in the car with my husband and daughter) but the lighthouse staff said it was no problem and handed me an addressed envelope to mail in with $8 later. Tours were to end at 4pm but, even though it was 3:55, they insisted it wasn't too late for them to take us to the top. The gentleman who took us to the top was very polite and informative. We loved this impromptu experience!

We went here 7/5/16. Was impressed with cleanliness, restrooms, large beach area,lighthouse and free parking. Water was very cold but would certainly go back!

A beautiful and clean beach with great scenery. Parking was not a problem and brought back my childhood memories of being here with my family. What you expect a beach community to be.

OMG the sunset on Saturday was amazing... The weather was chilli on Saturday night and windy windy before the Sunday Snow storm.

Beautiful huge beach area. Kids loved it! Big play scape as well. The water was pretty seaweedy but it's Lake Michigan what do you expect

This is a great park and beach. There are no fees to pay either.
Caution though if you are on a motorcycle because the sand does blow over the road and makes it slippery.

It's a busy place on a sunny summer day...but don't despair....lots of parking and room for everybody to have fun. The sand is clean and there is a bathroom and small changing facility.

Pere Marquette Park at Lake Michigan is thee best place ever!..Just to sit and watch the boats and the Majestic sunsets.....

This beach was mostly clean, with just a few issues. The sand was soft & nice to relax on & watch the sun set. There were several volleyball nets to play. After a late spring rain, we walked to the red lighthouse, which had just the best lighting with the deep grey skies behind it.

Impressive long white sand beach on Lake Michigan. Very popular with locals during the beach season from last of May to week after Labor Day. The Silverside Museum is there also. Nice place to spend a sunny day with good restaurants nearby to cap off the visit in the evening..

❤️ this beach. There is a snack bar, restrooms and plenty of parking. Very cool BBQ joint next door.

I stayed for business in Muskegon in March 2017. After my classes, I decided to visit the park as I haven't seen this area of Lake Michigan. It was a very windy day, winds of over 80 MPH, which provided very cool waves. Even though it was freezing out I was able to watch from my vehicle men surfing and wind surfing, which I really enjoyed. It was really entertaining. Plus the sun setting behind the lighthouse was breath-taking.
The visit was free and no charge to park. Lots of people there, but plenty of parking. Overall really nice time, even in March.

Beach is huge and the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan are breath taking. The Sunsets are nothing less than spectacular .

It's packed in the summer, but try it sometime in the winter. Waves (and later ice) crashing ashore, wind howling, snowflakes flying. Just beautiful. Just be sure to dress in layers!

We drove up to Muskegon just for Pere Marquette Beach even though the day was cloudy and cool. Mostly a few locals about, but my family enjoyed having the beach to ourselves to listen to the waves, watch the lake, and build some sand castles.
There is plenty of free parking and the restrooms are nice and clean.
We will definitely re-visit for a sunny beach day to enjoy Pere Marquette Beach even more!

Fantastic Beach ! Tons of room on Beach !
Parking is free !! Once you visit you will want to come back !!

Large Lake Michigan beach which is at least 1 mile long with beautiful, clean beach sand. There are often volleyball tournaments and there is also a play area for the kids. Now even the water has warmed up and We love it!

Clean beautiful beach. Awesome sunsets and great place to picnic or just watch the boats in the channel

Free parking,not crowded and a nice beach. Great family spot. This us our favorite beach spot. Brach goes on forever so always a place for a great beach day.

Several things make this one of the best beaches I know of and I have travelled from Costa Rica, to Malibu, to Mexico and throughout the Caribbean and Europe. First, its a very wide, sandy expanse with a western view that makes sunsets fantastic. The water is warm in the summer and salt free, making it great for swimming. Kite boarders also acknowledge that it has a good combination of winds for that sport and kite flying as well. Most of all, however, is that the town, its environment and people make it a fantastic place in the summer--and even in the winter where you will see a different, even more beautiful aspect of Lake Michigan and this beach.

Free abundant parking.
Multiple areas to enjoy the beach with nearby dog-friendly beach at Kruse Park.

We just parked at Pere Marquette to get on the bike trail. Should have parked closer to Lake Muskegon since the trail from Lake Michigan to Lake Muskegon is kind of rocky traveling on streets through older neighborhoods & dilapidated factory area. Did have lunch at The Deck & that was great!

The beach was nice and would have given a 5 star if it wasn't for the cigarette butts thrown all over and the walkway to the pier was in horrible condition. Actually, the walkway to the pier seemed unsafe with huge holes. The new playground was great. The bathroom was clean. It was nice having 2 restaurants on the beach. Parking was a little crazy. They also had beach equipment to rent such as umbrellas. It's a nice park with great views, but there are better ones in west Michigan.

The kids loved the miles of sand. Water was clean enough to dip in. We walked the beach, spent a lovely few hours.

Good for a nice walk on a calm day. Got to end of the pier and watched the boats go in/out. Nice, wide beach, too.

Loved the beach. Nice clean beach and clean water. There are fire pits so you can have a bon fire at night. There is also a dog park, this was the dogs first introduction to the beach and he loved it!!!

This beach is beautiful! The sand is clean and the parking is so close. Walking out to the lighthouse is a nice experience.

This park was absolutely beautiful! It was such a nice day and the beach and surrounding areas weren't overcrowded at all.

Lots of parking available.

My husband and I had never been to Muskegon, so we just kind of stumbled along while on a road trip.

We loved the area and we particularly loved this park and beach. We spent a few hours just relaxing and watching the people wind surf.

Definitely worth checking out.

The beach is what Muskegon is all about. From Hoffmaster State Park in the southern part of the county to Duck Lake State Park to the north Muskegon county is favored by Mother Nature with dunes, forests, and beaches. Pere Marquette beach offers dining, water sports, playground equipment, a walk along the channel to Muskegon Lake or on the breakwater to the lighthouse, a tour of USS Silversides, and gorgeous stretches of sandy beaches. An absolute must to visit any time of the year when in the area and absolutely in the summer!

Muskegon is blessed with great history and beautiful beaches. With great improvements, community movies, wonderful the Deck Restaurant and a great pier, this is great for families, dates, events and just some random soul searching. I love kayaking right off the beach and have enjoyed a variety of free events, from worship services to monthly movies. My family loved watching The Princess Bride while seeing an amazing sunset last summer. Looking forward to going back!

A beautiful beach! Sad that i have to pay to get in now.
The sand is clean. They have designated fire places. you can watch kiteboarders out on the water.

Perfect beach, well maintained, excellent parking, great boardwalk and trails. The deck restaurant is a real gem.

Great beach and waterfront. Fabulous beach and amazing channel. Come and explore this beautiful natural resource in Muskegon.

One of Michigan's best beaches. Pere Marquette is a extremely long and wide beach. It has a nice pere that your able to walk out and go around a lighthouse. There is a walking biking trail across the street and down at the end there is a dog beach. Also, around the corner is the channel that leads to Muskegon Lake and also stores a submarine and museum. It also has a restaurant on the beach and another with 3 minutes. Definetly, a great day at the beach.

Large stretch of beach and generally family-friendly. However, restrooms/bath houses are only open Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend, regardless of weather.

I have truly enjoyed coming to Pere Marquette Park all my life. I would truly recommend everyone who loves water.... to visit

Came here from Wisconsin over Lake Michigan on the Lake Express. One of the places we stopped and spent some time at was this beautiful beach! Nice parking available close by. Great for a pic-nic or sunning or swimming if you dare! We spent about an hour here and it was well worth it!

We travels to Pere Marquette beach probably once or twice per month since we moved to the west side of Michigan. It's always so beautiful and clean every time we go. I love how the parking is just right there making it easy to load and unload stuffs. There are plenty of parking spaces available, however, they can fill up quickly towards the afternoon when more people comes after lunch. I always recommend this beach to my friends, and enjoy every visits there.

Great beach on Lake Michigan. Easy to get to, ample parking, great views. Boat watchers can park near the channel or use one of the many sidewalks and paths to watch or take pictures of big lake freighters. On my visit I caught the Lake Express cross-lake ferry. Close to USS Silversides.

The brochures for other beaches make them look beautiful but then I get there and am disappointed, however, this beach is true to the pictures. Crystal clear water and clean

Forget Grand Haven, Muskegon has better beached and their free. With the new parking its easy to find a spot. The beach is cleaned almost daily by park staff. WOW...

Great under rated state park with an awesome beach and trails. Michigan has some of the best state parks in the country.

Rated as one of the best beaches in the US, Pere Marquette has it all. Sugar sand beaches, windsurfing, paddleboarding, hiking trails, lighthouse views, a hopping restaurant/bar, and the incomparable Lake Michigan.

Great family beach with windsurfing. Good bathrooms, restaurant, and lots of parking. The only thing lacking is shade so bring your umbrella!

This beach is so beautiful and relaxing! I would visit this over and over if I lived in the area. It's clean, kid friendly and just a great view of the lake. A real gem.

If you love to watch sunsets over the Great Lakes, this it s a great place. Good for pictures, especially for a lighthouse shot.

Beautiful beach park right on Lake Michigan. Within walking distance to two lighthouses. Playgrounds, concessions and equipment rental available. Very nice family area.

The park has ample parking and plenty of space to spread out. Areas for families. A bit of a traffic bottle neck in places.

Great place to walk , picnic. Enjoyed was walking be canal and watching the boat traffic. There is a large beach area just before the park. Lots of parking ..,easy access .

This is an awesome beach for families and singles alike. One restaurant / bar, some vendors, lots of space. Volleyball, pier walk to lighthouse and access to adjoining channel walk. Extremely scenic

This was one of the most awesome beaches I have ever been to. The waves were small and crashing on the rocks, people were swimming and surfing. The waverunners stayed far enough out to not scare anyone, and the sunset over the pier was wonderful.

My whole family enjoyed this area. Beauty all around you.
Sunset was our favorite, to see all the colors.

It is a well kept secret! Beautiful long & wide sandy beach on Lake Mi. w/ channel that flows into Muskegon Lake. Pick facilities, restrooms, pier to walk out on & clear lake water that is shallow for children to enjoy. Does not get up to 70deg until late summer but it is wonderful to be in as it is not crowded.Kite boarders love it there. Even in colder weather as they wear wet suits as they do when surfing in the fall. So come on over!

If you have never been to Pere Marquette you need to go. Swim go for a long walk or visit the dog park. The sunsets at breathe taking and you can get some beautiful photos.

This was our 1st time here & it was so clean we couldn't believe it!
The water was crystal clean as well and no smell which we loved.
We walked to both lighthouses and got a work out, would definitely go back again!

Stopped at the pere on the way back home from a couple days in Muskegon. Water is beautiful but was very cold the day we where there. Walked out to the light house. Had a little snack shack and a bathroom. All you need.

Very clean , Beautiful views & sunsets. Happy to see the restaurant is open again. Great volleyball area. Nice time.

I actually live very near here. It is a beautiful place with seemingly endless beaches. Beautiful sunsets, Always something going on in Muskegon during the summer, And Winter at the Winter Sports Complex on scenic drive across the road from Lake Michigan. I've traveled all across the US and always eager and happy to get back home. Muskegon! "Watch Us Go"

This thing is 300 yards from road to water and miles long of nothing but the best soft quarts sand! The water is beautiful and clean. Water sports abound and great waves!

Beautiful white sand beach that goes on for miles. The water level is high right now so there is less sandy beach but there is still plenty for all of the visitors. There are no rocks or shells just sand all the way into the water and beyond. The water is usually very clear..you can see your feet. There is a new play ground which seems to be very popular. You can play or watch beach volleyball. There is a snack shop but The Deck restaurant is great for lunch or dinner. A walk out to the light house is also worth the stroll. This is the place to go to see beautiful sunsets and have a campfire on the beach in the designated areas. I spend my summers here and love it!

This is a free park, that has play equipment for kids, a pier to walk on, a huge beach. We take our grandkids here & they love it. It's also a romantic place to watch the sunset.

There are so many different views for you to see. From the dunes high above the lake, to the beach at waters edge and even the end of the break wall looking back at the beach from a distance. We go here a lot for beautiful sunsets and the occasional deer roaming around. This is definitely a must visit for people who live inland and rarely get to see lakes of this size.

I was unaware Muskegon had such and awesome beach front! The beach are big with massive swaths of sand groomed each day. the beach has a few peers you can walk as well as a submarine and old coast guard cutter you can tour along the channel. The Deck is a resturaunt that is situated on the beach where you can grab food and a beer. Love this park!

Such a clean and beautiful beach!! My family comes to visit from out of town and always asks to go to Pere Marquette. We love the sandy beaches, the bathroom close by, The Deck is also close. Very ute lighthouse to walk to. Also, there is a dog beach on the south end.

This beach is one of the nicest beaches in Michigan, but is not as busy as some. Clean, and well taken care of

Great location, excellent beach, with the added benefit of have The Deck Restaurant close by. Not too far from the city for an afternoon visit.

The beaches are clean, the sand is white, and there's plenty of space for everyone to stretch out. In particular, I recommend the walk on the pier to the lighthouse (really a channel marker). If you take the walk, watch for places where there are small holes in the pier - you can see the air moving in and out, catching small blades of grass as they go.

Bug spray is recommended for the pier walk.

There are restrooms and several eateries located within an easy walk. In particular, I recommend The Deck.

Be careful parking your car that you park on the paved areas. Don't be tempted to pull out on to the sand.

If looking for something cooler and drier, check out the USS Silversides museum at the end of the road. It's well worth a few hours of your time.

You can't go wrong with this lovely park. It's a great place for you and your family whether you plan to stay a few hours, or all day.

This is a spectacular beach. Restaurant and playground available but come for the sand and water. Walk around and view channel and shaded park.

Great free beach. Not a state park. Clean, big, not crowded.
Beautiful in August. Clear clean water.

I absolutely love Pere Marquette!! The views are awesome and watching the waves is calming. I also love to sit at the channel and watch the boats go through.

You would think you were in Florida or some other coastal waters when you are on the beaches of Michigan. I was told that when I said I was visiting this great area, and didn't believe it, well I believe it now. Such a pretty area with all the sandy beaches and restaurants to visit. You have to be here in the summer time, we visited a bit to late but it was great. Highly recommended. We took the Boat ferry across from Milwaukee, that was a great experience. The lake was a little rough, but it was nice to sit back and let someone else do the driving.

We spent an early morning on the beach. They were cleaning and raking it making it very clean. Free parking right on the beach... Kid friendly, jogger friendly... From this beach you could walk out to the lighthouse. Made for a nice morning.

NEVER will we go back!! Unfortunately, parking is a nightmare! There are kiosks to pay ... the problem is they don't work!!! We tried paying and it cancelled 5 TIMES on us!! We got a $30 parking ticket and after calling ASHLEY, who apparently is the parking manager and only person in her department said that their wifi doesn't t always work!!! She was SO RUDE about the situation. We tried paying and because their system is down.. we get punished!

Way to go Muskegan and Ashley in ticket dept. Your rudeness doesn't go far!!! You need to do better! Way to give your city a bad name!

Large parking area. Plenty of play scapes, changing area, ice cream spot, bbq food truch in parking lot days we went, sand is super soft (and hot!!!!), water is clear all the way up to the chest, big sand hill for kids to play.

Not overly crowded unless you have ppl who don't know about setting up their site from you.

Great spot. Visit and take the kids here.

Really enjoyable beach, the pier is beautiful and a lot of activities for both teens and young kids.

Stopped here on our own tour of Lake Michigan lighthouses. The light here was kind of cool and the walk out to it was fun and interesting. We enjoyed staffing out past sunset.

Even though we have been staying in Grand Haven on our last 3 summer visits, we still go to Pere Marquette beach. My husband grew up in Muskegon & has always gone to Pere Marquette. Tons of parking and so much beach. Way easier to park then Grand Haven (which is always packed!). There is a small building with bathrooms/changing rooms, snacks/ice cream, outdoor shower stand. There is a nice playground and Gaga ball pit. Lots of beach volleyball nets. It's the best beach close by as far as I'm concerned!!

This is a pristine beach. It would be perfect for families with young children because there is lots of sand and playgrounds. Our favorite activity was walking down the piers to see the lighthouses and watching boats come in the canal.

The sunsets from the beach are absolutely amazing here. I love watching the boats glide across the water as they come and go from the mouth of the Muskegon Channel that connects Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake. There are a few playgrounds on the beach for the kids, garbage can, pet disposal aid stations and usually enough parking any day of the week. I gave this beach a lower rating for a couple reasons but keep in mind I do travel and enjoy beach all over Michigan as well as in Florida, the USVI and the Bahamas and Caribbean. The first reason but not the biggest is that there is only one place to get lunch, dinner or snacks, or even a pop and it seems like a local hangout for the drinking group of locals. Secondly, and most important to me is the fact that there is one little bathhouse to use a toilet or change clothes and usually it is absolutely filthy and stinks so bad I want to vomit. I have heard people with kids tell their kids to just go in the water because the bathrooms are filthy. This is unfortunate considering the beach is so amazing. If this situation was corrected I would give this one, maybe even two more clicks.

it is well taken care of as I observed every morning during my run. A great place for family, sun and the chilly lake.

My family enjoyed seeing the lighthouse from afar.
It was a little cold but worth every minute. Beautiful views

White sandy beach near by ice cream shops, trails for walking/running jog down the long shares with beautiful views and cool sand between your toes, fish from the pair in the great lake or swim. Pavilions and picnic tables with grills for grilling and picnics.

This beach will shock you. Large and uncrowded. It is a great place for families. The sunset is magnificent.

I've been to St Joe's, New Buffalo, and South Haven beaches. St Joe's and South Haven definitely have more to offer in terms of that beach-town feel-more places (shops, cafes, restaurants) to walk to. Pere Marquette doesn't have anything near it, and Muskegon just isn't as nice of an area as some of the other beach towns in MI. That being said, the beach is very nice, very big, it's not that crowded. The weekend seems to have more of the local crowd than the weekdays. The restrooms are relatively clean for a beach. The cafe is pretty good for food and the girl working there was competent. You can rent beach chairs, boogie boards, life jackets, umbrellas, and paddle boards. Parking is free and plentiful, and that means a lot when you have kids and a lot of stuff to carry. I'm not sure I would ever come back to Muskegon on vaca, but we are definitely enjoying this beautiful beach this week.

This incredible beach is just a few miles from downtown, but feel like a vacation destination. The sunsets are humbling and the sand and water are magical. This is yet another Muskegon gem.

Went here with my daughters to watch the sunset. Since it was out of season, the beach was empty, not many people around. Very nice beach, I imagine this is a very popular spot in the summer! The walkway out to the lighthouse is great, nice and wide...it's a good long walk. Beautiful place to watch the sunset for sure!! We were here in early October, the colors were beautiful.

Pere Marquette is definitely my favorite michigan beach. I've been to beaches in Jamaica, Mexico the Caribbean and around the US, and in my opinion this one holds its own in several areas. First there is almost always plenty of free parking and easy access to the beach. There is a big swath of nice clean sand that is not overly crowded where you can walk or lay out on. The Deck restaurant is located on the beach and it's worth visiting also. Pere Marquette has restrooms, places to play volleyball, and a playground for the little ones, two lighthouses at the end of piers you can walk out to or fish from and beautiful clean clear water that may or may not have a little bite to it. Usually you will see people out for a walk, jog, bike ride, or having fun swimming or kite boarding. There usually is a place to rent boards and such during the summer season.
We go to play in the water, or take a relaxing nap in the sun. Sometimes to visit family and friends. Once in awhile just to watch the awesome power and beauty of mother nature causing huge waves to crash over the piers and lighthouses, or witness huge chunks of ice tossed into mountains on the shore. Although sometimes my favorite part is the best sunsets you will ever see!

We visited on what some locals there called, a rare day. The water was like glass and no wind at all. The skies cleared from nearly a week of rain and the sun was just warm enough to keep us from wearing a light jacket. We walked the beach and down the pier. The dramatic clouds made for great pictures and even made me feel like I was a professional photographer for the day. Definitely a quick stop to get your beach fix.

Love that they have a family friendly atmosphere with a big playground for children. Showers to wash off and a plastic walkway to get from the parking lot to the beach. Whether it is for a romantic walk or family fun time, we recommend this beach!

Made a brief stop here to see the beach / lake. Getting to it was challenging - roads all torn up. Heavy rains had all sorts of trash and debris on the sand. Even a washed up plastic tampon. Just Gross. Facilities (shower/restrooms) seem decent but I wouldn't make a special stop here again. Traverse City beaches MUCH nicer.

Such a beautiful beach where it feels as though u are driving on the beach. We often cruise the ovals to watch subsets or sit alongside the beach while waves crash onto the car. On this particular night, we were able to witness a storm cloud that was lighting up like fireworks. It was the most incredible sight. I felt so lucky to see such a fascinating twist of nature!

Clean sands, wide beaches, a dog friendly section, boardwalk and backdune paved walking trail. Seasonal medium priced restaurant (The Deck), reasonable bathhouse and snack shop. Less crowded than many of the area state parks.

We really enjoyed watching the son set over Lake Michigan on this chilly fall evening. It was well worth our time and glad we stuck around and watched the sun set

The lake was clear but a bit cold, but the sand was impeccable! Our kids loved playing on the beach and in the playgrounds. They rake the beach in the morning, so very clean.

The beach is clean and there is a playground for the kids. There is also a restaurant to eat at where the food is pretty good

I love my hometown beach! It is always a must see whenever I’m in town! Nice and clean and easy to access for free.

Sunsets nightly
I highly recommend . Lake Michigan sun set are the best you will ever see. It good place to go park with your wife.
#lovemuskegon
#sellmuskegon

This is a fabulous beach on Lake Michigan In Muskegon Michigan. We have enjoyed it many times over the years. Always clean, beautiful white sand. They have bathrooms and a snack bar. Nice playground for the kids.

It’s a bit of a walk from parking to the water. We used our beach wagon to haul our stuff with no problem. Be sure to wear shoes or sandals to walk on hot sand. My kids love it there. It’s just a great beach.

If you are going in peak season on the weekend get there early to find a parking spot.

Enjoy the great beaches of Michigan!

Unlike most of the beaches on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, even with the lake at very high water level, there remains a wide beach here. The sand grains are about the texture of granulated sugar, but they are light brown in color. White sands are usually the small fragments of broken seashells. There are some shells here, but not many. The sands here have some white seashell bits in them, but the most common grains are of quartz that is brown - due to the presence of brown iron oxides (as iron is somewhat abundant in this area with higher concentrations in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota and Upper Peninsula of Michigan).

Was here yesterday. People everywhere, lots of parking, lots of sun and fun, There seemed to be plenty of space for all. Some picnic tables, places to play for the kids, and lots of stuff to see and do in the area. We like the restaurant right on the beach. People have been coming here for decades and decades....what a place. Lots of history here, too (JFK was here in 1960 for a rally). Not too many cities anywhere can match this beach.

There’s a snack store where you can rent umbrellas & seats, and buy snacks/drinks. There’s also a path way from the store to the shore. It really makes everything easier to travel on foot. The Walk on the lighthouse was good as well.

This location is very enjoyable Has lots to do and the area is very natural.. Has a pier to walk on and boat watching food and some jet ski rentals in the summer

Lake Michigan and the beaches are amazing! Beautiful clean sandy beaches are a high light as are the sunsets!

After working in doors all day I was itching to get outside to some fresh air. Pere Marquette was a short drive from my hotel & highly recommended by the front desk team at the hotel. I was impressed. I don't consider myself a "beach" person, but I went back 2 nights in a row for a sunset walk on the beach. It wasn't crowded, it was clean & relaxing with beautiful scenery. I will be back to visit next time I am in the area.

Great place to take pictures of sunsets. Clouds are coming in because the weather is changing and cool air is in sight.

Perspective pictures with waves and wind surfers and pier heads.

Worth your trip down

Wide white sand beach, open and welcoming. Clean beach and water, great for swimming, boating, kite surfing, sunning. Underutilized so rarely have crowds.

No dogs allowed on this beach but it is beautiful never the less. There are multiple beach soccer and volleyball nets. The pier looked inviting but the waves were too big. Loved The Deck restaurant with pontoon boats for seating.

Lovely lakeside vistas. There is a lighthouse you can visit, another that is open for tours, a beach, and plenty of hiking/walking to do.

I have been back several times over the years. It is a must see place in Michigan!!!
Never too busy for a stop but plan on staying awhile.

What a treasure for Muskegon! The beach was clean and family friendly. People respected each other's space. I found it very family friendly.

Looking forward to at least one beach day this September. Ill tell you though, the sunsets and sky were magnificent and wave action made for come beautiful photographs. Wonderful palace to walk and see lots pf people enjoying the water.

With sugary white sand, the deep blue waters of Lake Michigan, and the nearby red South Pier Lighthouse, this is a beautiful location for a day at the beach. There seems to be a fairly large parking area, and facing west, this would be a great place to photograph some wonderful sunsets!

This is an amazing beach. You feel like you are in the ocean. The pier walk, people on the beach, rentals, and the young people working at the concession stand shop were amazing! This was the highlight of our Great Lakes trip!

I go here just to watch the waves and sunset. Totally relaxes and rejuvenates the soul. Pick up a sandwich at Wayne's Deli and drive here and just enjoy!

Beautiful beach and lighthouse. Great place for a stroll or to watch the sunset. Saw a few people out wind surfing. Relax on a hammock swing or stroll on the walkway. Great park!

Very nice park with a seawall where you can watch the boats and ships coming and going into the bay. The beach is closed for the winter but looked nice

I have grown up here my whole life and traveled to a lot of beaches in my lifetime. Pere Marquette Beach is definently my favorite. Nothing can beat our fresh water, sandy beaches and breath taking views. Michigan is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the summer time.

We love this beach and it gets better every year. Several things to do within walking distance including walking the pier, beach campfires, sand volleyball and of course swimming!

beautiful park setting for kids and volleyball but not relaxing! usually pretty busy so if your goal is to be close to your neighbor on the beach...this is your place!

We typically go to Grand Haven because it's closer but wanted to try something new and this beach did not disappoint! Beautiful white sand beach with free parking, a nice big playground up by the bathrooms with a small concession stand attached. You can also rent tubes,chairs, umbrellas etc. From the concession stand by the hour or all day. They are a bit pricey however.

I grew up in Muskegon and left 25 years ago and still visit the ovals every time I come home. Lake Michigan is beautiful.

I usually only write about lodging but this beach was such amazing find, I needed to ensure others are aware. First of all the beach and water is super clean, I mean clean. There is a bath house, showers and food stand. Parking is plenty. Water was very calm and warm and you could walk out so far. Everyone had plenty of space so you were not crowded. There is even place to allow dog to swim about 1m further down the beach by area 16, I think it was. The sunsets from the beach were perfect for photographers. As a first time visit, we were amazed by its beauty. The only downside was there was alot of biting annoying flies when we visited.

Huge, wide, clean beach right on Lake Michigan. Dree parking, volleyball courts, rental equipment & chairs, snack bar plus a great seasonal restaurant..."The Deck"...open during the best 5/6 months of the year.

Very clean and a great way to spend on a hot summer day.. Its always nice not to worry about jelly fish or sharks... Enjoy our little piece of heaven.

My new favorite beach in Michigan. This beach was clean, not super busy, free for the most part and the sand was amazing. The little shop onsite offers so much (food, beverages, snacks, sun products, beach products, and rental (boogie boards, volleyball nets, etc.)

The bathroom was NASTY. Smelled of spoiled clam chowder.

Very nice beach very big the walk out to the Lighthouse is nice. we go there everytime we go to Muskegon even in the winter just to see the lake it is nice.

We visited today during a very windy day in February. There are very pretty views of the icy lake, as well as the lighthouse. They have a nice playfround for the kids.

Great, wide beach with beautiful views! We came here for the playground, walking, kayaking and eating at The Deck. It is so wide and it's amazing that this is Lake Michigan. Beautiful sunset too!

This beach is incredible for many reasons. The first reason is that It is Free! And that is just the beginning of why this is the best beach. Pere Marquette has a dog beach area which always makes me happy to visit. I love to see dogs happily swimming in the big lake. I always seem to run into nice people there as well. The only downfall of this beach is that there is only 1 bar/restaurant nearby. This restaurant is in a good location, but the food is average at best & quite overpriced, in my opinion.

Pere Marquette Park has the most beautiful beach in the state of Michigan. We pride ourselves on traveling the state where we live and this beach is by far the biggest and cleanest beach we have visited:) There is a small concession where you can rent beach toys and get beach food..hotdogs/ice cream/ candy...and other goodies. Bathrooms are always clean and there is an outdoor shower you can use to was off unwanted sand. There is also and walk way for those who are wheel chair bound to access a small platform to sit on a take in the stunning view!

Well maintained, fun for all ages. Lake Michigan is beautiful! Wonderful place to spend your summer.

I absolutely love this beach. Perfect for walking, family time, and sunsets. Clean and family friendly.

This is our favorite beach. Lots of parking, clean with decent bathrooms. The beach area is huge, so even when there are tons of people, you dont feel super crowded. They also have a concession stand with ice cream, hot dogs etc. Along with rentals for water gear.

The kids had a lot of fun playing in Lake Michigan. Soft sandy beach. Have rentals for life jackets. Place to get snacks and a restaurant near you. Plenty of parking places. Saw lots of sailboats.

If you want a nice clean beach with the best views of Lake Michigan this is the beach for you. Plenty of room for many visitors and good parking.

This place was absolutely beautiful and large enough to just enjoy a summer day outside with your family or loved one doing some sort of activity.
Will be back to start longer!

The beach is so clean, and beautiful sand. Gorgeous sunsets etc. love this beach. Also the best beer festival is on this beach in August

We had a very nice walk to the lighthouse. Family friendly. All the trip hazards are clearly marked. Clean restrooms. Park was well maintained. Saw the USS Silversides and torpedoes. We did not go into the museum. Photos of the sub were cool. Took photos of the coast guard building while walking on the walkway to the lighthouse. Strolling along the water observing the fishermen.

We 2 sisters from Traverse City in Muskegon for the Unity Christian Music Festival visited this beach one late afternoon. We swam in the crystal clear waters here and walked out on the pier to the light. Very beautiful and not many people on a Friday! The water was shallow for a ways and pure sand, no rocks! Wow! Saw some neat boats coming and going through the channel. Really glad we checked this place out. Parking for 24 hours cost us $10 at the kiosk, but lots of parking spaces and right at the beach. The Deck BBQ & Beer is next to this beach for good lunch or dinner and drinks. Highly recommend driving here and seeing the beauty, and we have gorgeous water and beachfront where we live up north!

My husband and I took are son everyday to this beach while camping. We loved everyday, clean and beautiful beach. Family friendly and will maintained.

Lived in Muskegon my whole life. Pere Marquette Park and nearby Kruse Park are free public beaches that are absolutely beautiful. There are other State and County Park beach areas along the Lake Michigan shoreline that charge a park fee to enter, but I don't think there are many as beautiful as are right here in Muskegon.

I am a resident of Muskegon and visit the beach several times during the summer. It was a great year for swimming since the water was 70+ degrees many days. The beach was clean and I always can find a place to park since there is parking all along the beach. For the fall, the sunsets are very scenic and the fall color is beautiful. We bike to the beach on the bike trail and walk out on the pier.

This one is within walking distance. Unfortunately, though you could walk right up to it and kiss it if you wanted, there were no tours on this day. I don't know how to nail down days you- can -climb schedule.

Pere Marquette is completely stunning. You beautiful sunset walk will set your heart to ease. So much beauty to take in, people are friendly and kind. No cost involved just Pure Michigan beauty.

The Park is awesome! The Pavilions and Park are very clean (as are the restrooms)! The Channel Pavillion tends to be very windy-so be prepared to weight tablecloths, napkins, plates, and light-weight food and/or containers. The walk along the Channel is fun; the placards tell the history of the area & Channel. The Channel Walk & Pavilion are perfect places to watch boats traveling from Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan. Be sure to take a walk out to the lighthouses!

Love love this park and beach. Lake MI is awesome, refreshing and so clean. Sandy beach, refreshments, restaurant....piers to walk down, 2 lighthouses and one you can tour. A playground, bath house, coast guard, volleyball courts, and picture perfect sunsets.

We did a quick stop , since the view was stunning, it's really beautiful and big with clean and calm water , but as this beach have a very easy access , we found some unlikely surprises ( dogs poop) so we decided to move to another beach. Again place is amazing, people just need to be more conscious. Nobody wants to step on any kind of poop, right?

Beautiful scenery, walking out to light house was well worth the trip. The beaches were clean, plenty of amenities for a family of 4 enjoying a picnic. We were pleased to see Muskegon Police also making rounds there. Safe, clean, lovely.

lots of sand and a nice view. Nice pier to walk out to the light house. Plenty of parking. Bathrooms too

This beach is free to visit and is one of the cleanest beaches I have ever visited. There is a bathroom as well as a place to buy snacks and ice cream. If you like to play beach volleyball this is a great spot. There is a restaurant right on the beach called The Deck. The view of the lighthouse (which has beach walk accessibility) is stunning at sunset. Definitely make this beautiful beach a priority stop if in Muskegon.

The sunset was gorgeous! We were there in April so it was a little cool and the bathroom was not open but the beach was very nice.

We came for the day (mid June) and the weather was perfect. The sugar sand is warm and the breeze can make it a little chilly. We took a leisurely stroll out on the jetty to the lighthouse.

Sand was clean and super soft. Even though it was a warm, sunny day before Labor Day, the beach was hardly busy. Clean convenient bathrooms. Definitely recommend.

This beach is just beautiful words can not describe this beach you just need to go see it for your self.

This is always s beautiful and fun park to visit, particularly at sunset. The water is great for swimming and the sand great for sunbathing and watching the waves.

Any time you have a problem, this is the place to visit. Beautiful view of Lake Michigan. White, clean sand with great volleyball nets. A walk along the pier to the lighthouse can be done during non-windy weather. Sunsets are to die for. There is a channel to Muskegon Lake for fishing or put your boat in for deep water fishing.

My granddaughter loved it. A very nice clean beach as well. The water was so warm and the breeze off the lake was amazing. People around us were very friendly and we didn't feel crowded.

Great beach with clear water and no wash up or collection on shore from water. Nice pier to walk on. Only thing is the bathrooms are really stinky. They do have large private areas where u can change, a rinsing station for sand a the cove where the ice cream portions are very generous!

I've lived here all my life and I probably will never get enough of this beach. The view is just breathtaking, I've traveled the world and this is still one of my top favorite beaches.

As a person who grew up close to the beach I may well be a little biased about this beach. Plenty of parking but sometimes a long walk to the water. Most areas have a lifeguard near but keep an eye on the little ones as the undertow can be strong at times.

I normally went to Muskegon State Park for the beach until this time we would like to try a different place in that area. I was so glade we went here. It's clean nice beach. The plus was the long walk to the lighthouse where we saw other two lighthouses. There're picture taking spots everywhere. And this area offered all kinds of activities. Now this park became our favorite.

This beach was magical for me and my kids. The sand was soft and white and the facilities were well kept. We were there all day playing in the water and sand and no one wanted to leave at the end of the day. Will definitely go back.

This beach rivals our normal beach destinations in San Diego. Much cleaner and more family friendly than many California beaches. The only reason it's not a 5 star is it could use a little larger and cleaner bathroom facility.

After a storm blew through Muskegon, we stopped to enjoy the beauty. A picture sure does speak a 1000 words!

One of the best beaches on Lake Michigan. I should have put the title, "don't go here" because many locals want to keep it clean, litter free & safe. No cost to park, no fees, and bags are provided at the special unique separate DOG Beach. Beautiful sunset pictures have been shot here, with the Muskegon lighthouse in the background or wind surfers...one can walk the piers, find driftwood, or walk barefoot in the sugar sand, in season.

Great beach for kids, walking......has a lighthouse and excellent parking. It's not a world class beach, but is very nice for Michigan.

My daughter and her friend (both 16) and I head to this beach every August. Such a beautiful view as you turn up and over onto Lakeshore drive! There are narrow and wider stretches of beach all along the drive. You can park right by the beach so it is easily accessible for everyone. There are also benches for sitting right by the walkway. In the evening the sunset is amazing and you will see lots of couples, families, and dog walkers. It's a very well maintained beach, and twice we saw a policeman in a four wheeler vehicle driving by. Also, there is an awesome boardwalk/path for bikes and pedestrians that runs just above lakeshore drive.

Expansive lake Michigan sandy beach with great parking. A beach casual restaurant is located next to numerous volleyball sand courts.

What a lovely beach! First they have paved walkways around it which would be nice for those with strollers oe wheelchairs if they have to park a bit from where they want to set up. The walk out to the lighthouse is well maintained and has lovely views to the lake. There’s a large swimming area and along with the beach could accommodate a good crowd. Highly recommend for walking, swimming, sunning, reading, etc.

Went to this park yesterday for the first time. Celebrating a teens birthday. Ample grills and picnic tables. Was very close to the channel so you could watch the boats come and go from Muskegan Lake and Lake Michigan. Would highly recommend a day at this park.

This beach is huge! So many places to layout and play in the surf that you can't go wrong. There are also a few fire pits on the far south end of the beach with roadside parking. They have a playground and bathrooms available during in season dates as well as a beach restaurant. You can also often find a food truck or pop up BBQ trailer nearby. It's very peaceful and a much better option than the crowded beaches in Grand Haven or Holland.

Nice public beach. Beach was clean and so were the restrooms. It also had food shack if you wanted something to eat.

This is a wonderful place to relax. Not far to walk to reach the beach area. Lots of space to enjoy some rolling surf. Good wins for kites and great walk out on the breakwater to a small lighthouse. Lots of volleyball areas and a small building serving soft serve and other treats.

Clean, clear water. Lovely Sandy beach. Prettier than most ocean's I have visited. Good amenities including parking, changing rooms, park, cafe. Perfect for the kids on a sunny day.

Great spot to walk, stretch out on the sand, people watch, or soak up sun. We drove by this park for years because of its scenic value, but it's also easy and worthwhile to stop and walk the shoreline. You can find food or drink if you want it, but immersing in all that open sky and water (away from the crowd) is what I love best.

We visited the lighthouse and beach on a Saturday and during the week. Both times the beach was practically deserted. The water was calm and clear, and there were many boats on the lake. The Lake Express Ferry pulled into the inlet while we were relaxing on the beach, which was a treat. The restaurant at the beach was closed for the season so we ate down the road at Hab's. The beach and pier were trash free and the restrooms were clean and serviceable. We had great visits during our off-season visits.

Pere Marquette Park is a white sand beach on Lake Michigan in Muskegon,MI. Water temperature is in the 70's in July and August. There are 2 lighthouses and an old Coast Guard house in the park. Picnic tables, snack bar and restrooms.

Huge Lake Michigan beach! There's a restaurant called The Deck there.........good food. There's a large picnic area too. This park also borders the Muskegon Channel that goes from Lake Michigan to Muskegon Lake. There's a couple playgrounds there for the kids. You can walk out on the pier to the lighthouse. Nice place to spend the day.

Well let me start this review with some background. My wife and I travel the world to paddle board, I have never found a beach with sand as nice as this. Miles of beach and great water starting in June.

Clean beach with plenty of room! Restrooms and lunch readily available. Lots of room for Frisbee or whatever. Kids playground equipment too!

We visited this area in the early morning. White sandy beaches, lighthouses, pier, seagulls, view....excellent experience! We will definitely visit again if ever in the area.

Great time with the family. Light house and clear water. Kids had a good time. Good sight seeing anytime

This is a very clean and pristine beach to enjoy with your family. There is also a dog beach available for all our 4 legged friends, just south of pere marquette beach. It is all posted.

Beach with playgrounds for little kids. Nice restrooms and local parks. Near to much other things to do. Hardly every over crowded.

This was a very large beach area, one of the best in a city. More parking and spaces not crowded than most in a city setting.

Great beach and stop, make sure to go early in the morning and park so you can get out without all the traffic. Dockers is a great spot to go afterwards.

This is a very nice beach. First week of August and there was plenty of room. There is a walkway from the parking area to very near the shore. This is very helpful in carrying beach stuff and provides access for those who would have difficulty with the sand beach. There is a bath house/refreshment center. My wife commented on how clean the rest rooms were--that means that this was really clean!
On the beach there is a restaurant (The Deck). Portions are big, so my wife and I would split an order. Food was very good and the servers were very personable college age students. The restaurant closes for the season after Labor Day.

Beautiful beach, so big and so clean. Restaurant on beach and a changing /bathroom area. Loved it! The beach is so large you felt like you were by yourself. Also very close to the Muskegon/MKE Fast Ferry. Went to the beach, stayed at the Pidge Inn overnight, got up and got on the Ferry. 2 hours later we were in Milwaukee! Great Trip

The park and beach is quite large. They have tons of parking. The beach was clean and really nice with a playground, bathhouse, restaurant and snack stand.

I've lived here all my life. Left briefly and missed the lake. Nothing quite like pere Marquette. Just remember if you are not from here to respect the lake and it's power. Every year there are some drownings. Those of us from here know that when you swim. ...stay away from the pier and don't go out where it is above your head. Beautiful place to relax

The Muskegon lake bike trail starts here. Great for seeing the lake. Beach is very quiet during off season

PM is the best beach. Unlike many other beaches this year that the rising lake levels have pretty much removed beach, PM still has plenty of sand. Area right off channel has park for kids. There is a restaurant with food and drink. There usually rentals for waterboards.

Great day trip from Detroit.
Beach is long, sand is soft and clean. Close parking. Short walk to the lighthouse. Plenty of volleyball courts, and a playground. A must visit beach.

The lighthouse is a short walk out on the Pier. Staff was friendly. A small fee/donation to climb.

I always laugh when I visit other coastal communities, like the time I was in Key West watching a sunset, listening to others get so excited about watching a sunset over water, over a large body of water. Why do I laugh? Because I'm thinking how lucky I am to be able to witness such beauty really any time I want living only a few miles from Pere Marquette beach. Most people have no clue how beautiful our white sandy beach is and what a beautiful sunset we see so often.

This beach lives up to expectations! Clean with beautiful views and one thing not really mentioned is the restaurant/ bar on the beach. The Deck has great food and drinks.

We only stopped briefly. It's absolutely beautiful with wonderful areas for the children to play. We will be be leaving more time next time!

While this may not have the facilities of some of the paid parks nearby, this park is part of a very long beach area along Lake Michigan, and it is free to use. We had stopped at two dumpy state parks before this one and left due to crowds or the condition of (or lack of) facilities. Parking is located very close to the beach. On the day we spent there, a BBQ pit was operating in the parking lot, and the concession area was open. The water was a bit chilly, and be aware that the waves and undercurrents can be a bit strong here. This is a great place to stop for an hour, or spend the entire day. Well worth the drive and in my opinion, much nicer than any of Michigan's dumpy state parks.

Nice sidewalks to take a walk. When the pier is open it is nice to walk out to the lighthouse. It is currently closed for some desperately needed repairs. There are other areas that gives you access to a little harbor. Very nice and free entry.

The Pete Marquette Beach is large, easy to get to, and very clean. Because of its size, it rarely feels crowded. A great alternative to other Lake Michigan beaches. Plus, plenty of parking.

We loved coming to this beach. There are bathrooms and showers. There is a nice playground. We like to bring a picnic to eat. There are grills to use as well as picnic tables!

This a a beautiful sandy beach to watch the sunset, walk the beach, swim. Great for families, friends, couples, or just by yourself

Great place to go for a beach day and spend time with family. They have a huge beach, so bring spike ball and a frisbee.

My husband and I went for a nice walk...beautiful sand and ice caps. The water level was high and the waves sounded beautiful. There is a lot of parking and low traffic. My only complaint is that the bathrooms were locked and no restaurant in walking distance.

I've often seen this beach quiet and relaxed. I have family close by and love to visit them, go for a walk on the beach and out to the lighthouse. It is a beautiful beach and I love the sunset.

A free beach with free parking, walk along the channel between Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. Climb a lighthouse M-W-F and Sat. Silversides submarine and WW2 museum a short walk away. The Deck restaurant is at Pere Marquette, lovely playground and swings for children. Best idea is walking along the shore to the Dog Beach to the south, bring the dog and be sure to pick up after him with doggy bags for you to use! Watch an amazing sunset. Enjoy and relax, rewind.

We have 6 grandkids that have decided the Pere Marquette beach (and surrounding area) is the best ever. The new playground just opened and it is huge. Families can walk the pier, kayak the calm waters inside the breakers and even have (approved) open campfires on the beach in the evening.

I have traveled all over the world to more than 100 countries and numerable beaches. None are as beautiful to me as our own Lake Michigan beaches and sunsets. Pure, clean, unsalted water and pristine white sands. Until you have visited one of these you are missing the boat.

This is "the beach" in Muskegon. The area is charming and offers it up throughout the year - but especially the summer. Worth just a drive by if you're short on time or spend the afternoon and relax.

Beautiful sunsets, a must see!! Great place to go for a beach day and spend time with family. They have a huge beach, room for a lot of beach activities.

This is the best lake beach I have ever been to. It is a huge beach, nice sand, large area of shallow water to explore and swim in, beautiful views. Only downside is cold water, which can be a welcoming feeling on a hot day.

We had a most awesome time at the Burning foot beer festival!! Weather was shady but the beers were great! Way to go michigan for producing awesome beers! We had the best time, great friends and great Michigan brews!!

Fantastic for views of sunsets, with pier and lighthouse in backdrop. Went on a weekday and was plenty of room; got a picnic table and ate a light dinner while watching the sun set. Spectacular!
Multiple viewings points from beach as well as pier.

Pier is SUPER WIDE, and it’s an easy and very safe walk out to the light at the end. Can even bike all the way out.

Sunsets with this backdrop are amazing!

Parking is $5 and wasn’t limited during the weekday. Well worth it!

Pere Marquette Park has qualities that no other community on Lake Michigan can claim. Size, amenities, activities, access to parking, overall water quality. This is truly Muskegon's hidden gem.

So much to do here, good food, so many attractions, sports, all water activities, The 4 seasons means endless possibilities!

I was born and raised in Muskegon, and have been privileged to travel extensively, but there is no place in the world that matches the beauty of Lake Michigan. The sandy beach, fresh water, and magnificent sunsets are grand. No stones to stumble over, no salt in the water, only a splendor of colors spread across the sky as the sun sinks into the water. As an extra bonus, one can watch the boat traffic in the Muskegon Channel, walk out to the lighthouse, have a picnic, and cover your toes with sugar sand. This spot is a "hidden secret."

It is Lake Michigan it takes your breath away. I love the walk on the pier to the lighthouse. There is always a wonderful breeze. Beats most beaches hands down.

The beach has an easy access ,although I noticed that the pavement was uneven at certain spots which makes it hard to physically challenged citizens . The sand is really soft ,the strip is wide . The central part was cordoned off for a surfing competition , so we couldn't enjoy the beach , but we were able to walk to the south pierhead lighthouse and back. Word of caution , the concrete around the lighthouse is very slippery , although we were forewarned by a thoughtful young lady , and stepped carefully , we both slipped ,luckily didn't fall. There is also plenty of free parking space , picnic tables and benches under the trees near lake Muskegon canal , that are a cool respite from the sun

Awesome beach. Lots of beach. Plenty of places to walk along the water and wide open beach with lots of clean sand. Sunsets are amazing.Have movies on the beach as well as volleyball courts, fire pits on the south side, dog beach, nice beach restaurant and snack food bar. Watch the ferry come in and out, ships go by in the distance. Rent a home along the beach or camp at nearby state parks that are also on the water or get a hotel room nearby

One of the largest clean sand beachs with good swimming. Also the sun-sets are something to see. Large picnic area with view of channel to one of the biggest fresh water port in the world. Have 1000 ft. ships come in now and again. Have had people from out of state, when they first see Lake Michigan think I took them to the ocean!

My wife and I wanted to do a LONG beach walk. The lighthouse was our half way point of our 13.6 mile hike. The downside was that the satellite view photos of Lake Michigan show the water levels of 2013 which show more beach than there is with the now higher levels. Made it a little tough but we hike from Lake Harbor park to Pere Marquette lighthouse along the beach. A great walk!

Absolutely beautiful lots to do a park for little one's to play on a little rough water for little toddlers

Pere Marquette is a beautiful, clean and large beach that most people don't think about going to! I would choose Pere Marquette over any other beach on the Lake Michigan shoreline!

Pere Marquete Beach is truly one ot the most overlooked beaches in Michigan. Large, clean, lots to do. A must see.

White sand that goes on and on and the beautiful Lake Michigan that extends for as far as the eye can see. This beach redefined what I thought of when I hear lake beach. This gorgeous beach can easily compete with any along Florida's gulf coast. I visited for a weekend and now I'm wondering when I can return!

Such a wonderful little diamond of Muskegon county; one of many beautiful beaches on the west side of the state. You can't go wrong with any one of them!! Park, swim, walk the dog, and relax. Look up a great place to eat in or take out your lunch or dinner and eat on the beach!!

It is a very good place to go with the pere u can walk and the sandy beaches play grounds for kids u can watch boats go in and out a place just to relax

This is one of the largest and prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen!!! Pure sugar sand! Pure Michigan! The new playground for kids is amazing and watching beach volleyball makes for a perfect day.

We tend to visit this beach since it is easy to access and park at. We've given up on Holland State Park since it has gotten so busy in recent years. It's clean, well patrolled, and family friendly. No idea on the concessions since we bring our own water and juice. With the high Lake levels, though, the water is not as clean as it usually is. But that doesn't stop others from going in. Nice little beach to stop at if you are in the area.

Clean and family friendly. Not much choices for restraunts, but several local ice cream shops in the area.

Clean beaches with a playground area, concession stand, and equipment rental. The water is clean and clear and the view is breathtaking!

Had a great time with my family, not a crowded beach. Nice place to take a walk and kids to play. Parking lot faces the beach, so if you want to just sit in your car and read a book or just relax this beach will be a great place to do so.

This is a free beach and parking is also free. There is a bath house where you can change and use the toilet. There is also a water fountain. The beach area is huge and you can also walk on the break wall. It's exciting to be out in the lake, especially if it's at all windy. You will see many couples enjoying the walk and the sunset.There is a restaurant that serves BBQ's and burgers and beer. It's average food wise and a little more expensive than you might like, but it's the only place out there. After an afternoon in the sand and surf, it's very convenient. South of this beach is the dog beach, also free, but you have to drive down to it, but it's a quickie.

Grew up in Muskegon, married and moved away for 5 years. Am back now and it's such a gift to be close to this park. The boardwalk provides a nice view and the pier & lighthouse are a great way to experience the Big Lake!

Long stretch of beautiful sandy beach along Lake Michigan, a walk on the pier and a gorgeous place to watch the sunset makes for the perfect evening.

The beach is clean and very big, to the south it's opened to dogs, miles of beach for everyone to play, and best of all it's all free. All they need is a camp ground at the end of Sherman blvd. the main road to the park.

You have to pay to enter Hoffmaster and Muskegon State Parks, but this one is a public park so parking and entrance are free. You're just on the other side of the lighthouse from Muskegon State Park. I'm not sure if there was a changing area because we were only dipping our toes in because it was really windy and cold that day. You drive through the cutest area to get to the park. There's a play structure for the kids, concession stand, you can rent life vests. There were a few kite boarders on the lake. The sand was easy to walk through, for some reason, unlike some of the other parks on Lake Michigan that we've been to.

Water too rough to swim because of wind, but this wide, gorgeous sugar sand beach was a great find. Walked out onto the pier and watched parasailors catching incredible winds and having a ball. Nice playground, paved walkway.

Water felt wonderful and the waves were awesome! We walked down the pier and enjoyed watching the kite boarders.

Beautiful beach and awesome lake! During the summer, there is almost always enough room to find a spot at this beach.

Great sand dunes and beach area. Clean changing and restroom area. Plenty of parking. Pack a cooler as there is no snack bar or close places to pick up food once you get close to the park. Kids really enjoyed running up and down the dunes. Not too crowded.

This is a must visit and stay Park. The expanse and cleanliness of this beach the out of the ordinary sunsets, the winter spring and summer and fall attraction. Not far from a little busier city, you can escape and find yourself in a world of relaxation and fun. Many activities to do or none.. your choice. This place offers beach life, swimming fishing or visiting the area museum the Silversides submarine. beach volleyball small park for young kids... Top Rate. A must for any local or out of state visitor. A restaurant on the beach provides a nice menu and the views OH and AH.

This park seems unreal! Absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever seen. They have the traditional lake michigan lighthouse. Playground area & restrooms clean. This was a pleasant surprise we stumbled upon!

I love going to Pere Marquette Park..there is a lot of beach and parking is free...we occasionally go to South Haven Beach which is shrinking and you have to pay big bucks to park! Pere Marquette is one of Lake Michigan ‘s best beaches.

A nice little beach near the USS Silverside Museum. It offers a great view of Lake Michigan and was super clean. My guess is that it's less busy during the summer than other beaches, due to it being a little out of the way. Still a great beach to enjoy the Sun and the Lake.

Overall 5 stars.

Free parking & wide Long Beach...only bad problem is visitors who leave their trash & do not pick up after themselves. There is a free dog beach area, too. Only wish owners would be respectful and pick up after their dogs. Bags provided.

Beautiful and fun. Had such a good time we came back the next weekend with the kids. Beautiful beach and play area for kids

Huge beach, uncrowded, white sand and bathrooms. All you need for a family with young children.
Oh and did I add mention free!

Oh what a treat this park is! Beautiful sand as far as the eyes can see. The rolling bluffs are timeless. Besides the striking natural beauty, the people of Muskegon are the friendliest I've ever encountered! Have a beer at the Deck.

you can have a picnic on the beach or by the Channel Wall. Beast place to relax and do some reading or do a little fishing

Beautiful beach. We went by july expected the water to be warm. But still water was bit chill though. Still a great beach to visit.

nice beach, high priced restaurant, not really worth it for us. The good thing is they vacuum the beach. Bad is there is bad rip currents so you don't want to swim there.

We love coming here and come every summer. It’s such a gorgeous beach to enjoy a Lake Michigan sunset! There is plenty of parking as well as a freer place to bring your dog.

This is a clean, nice little beach to visit! The lighthouse was pretty from a distance but challenging to get to! There was a playground for the kids, and bathrooms close by!

What a beautiful beach. Nice play area for the kids. Regular bathrooms. Great beach area, very large and plenty of room to park. Picnic area near by.

Absolutely LOVE Pere Marquette! Don't miss the wonderful dog park!🐶 A great place for couples to go for a walk or the whole family....including the dog!

This review also includes the lighthouse since I can't find an entry for it. We went down to this beach near sunset to take a look at the lighthouse. Was a bit cool the day we went, but the beach is nice and the views at this time of day are great.

The tricky part was figuring out how to get to the lighthouse. I knew we could get there, but not how to do it. The Coast Guard area is all fenced in and closed, and the NOAA area is fenced in with an open gate and ominous signs of do not enter all around. If you are standing at the open gate though look at the ground. There are yellow painted lines with text saying to stay on this path to the lighthouse. You follow it and it takes you through the NOAA area out to the lighthouse. Everything outside that painted area is a no go so it is kind of a weird experience to say the least.

What a happy surprise we stumbled across! We were looking for a nice place to eat our lunch in the car and found plenty of parking facing the lake. The water crashing on the rocks is beautiful and the kite surfing is exhilarating to watch. The lighthouse makes a nice backdrop.

The weather was fantastic, a little cool, but a great day. The waves were a little high, but the parasails were busy that day having a wonderful time. There about 10 people with their sails and catching the winds and surf.

Pere Marquette is a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan with a pier with a lighthouse. The parking is free! In the summer season a restaurant "The Deck" is open serving lots of delicious food choices!

We stopped to walk the breakwater, look at the light house/breakwater light take pictures. The lake was pretty wavy which made for some really nice pics and video as the waved crashed against the breakwater .

This is the best Free beach! clean sand, bathrooms, fresh water, free parking, plenty of space, playground, resturant, snack bar, walking pier, photo opportunities, parks near with picnic areas. Beautiful!

I hate to give this park a 1*. It is a nice park with a nice stretch of beach, albeit a bit trash ridden. I've been to this park multiple times before and loved it. However, it would seem that September is the wrong time to visit this park (and others along Lake Michigan). We arrived and the beach was rather deserted which looked very promising for us. However, after visiting the park for about 10 minutes we were attacked by a swarm of black flies. Probably about 50 of them that like to bite hard. We visited a couple other parks along the coast that day and each had the same issue. It would seem that if you plan to enjoy the beach in early September, then you should come fully clothed and forget about enjoying the sun and sand.

This park is at the end of the beautiful bicycle path around the south side of Muskegon Lake. The beach is extensive, and I'm sure it's very touristy in season. In late September, they were putting up snow fence on the beach in preparation for winter, and we had a wonderful time with the place almost to ourselves! Walked out onto the breakwater, and out to the lighthouse along the channel. There are picnic tables and shelters, and the restrooms were nice too.

This beach is never over crowded, and has great activities. The sand is so beautiful, and the beach is taken care of fabulously. Try the beer fest in August on the beach. Awesome

Best beach around simply beautiful plus there are no park fees! This is the only beach that is groomed daily a really nice dog beach is close by as well.

What I like, its huge, sandy beach, plenty of parking. Restrooms, playground, snack bar area, restaurant and can walk the pier.
Why I dont like, it should be a State Park like Grand Haven and Holland is. Keep the rift raft out, especially after dark. We have lived there for many years without issues and visited the park. It is well policed all year round.

In the winter the snow fences take a bit away but the lake is always beautiful. The water level is higher which is a welcomed sight.

I highlight the free parking as it seems to be the norm in Michigan to charge for parking or admission at public parks whether it is a state or local park. It was busy with beach volleyball games going on. We went to see the lighthouse.

My wife and I really enjoyed walking on the beach and stepping into the cold water! It was too cold to swim, but still enjoyed sitting on the beach.

Try to time your trip around the ferry schedule so you can watch it come in from the lighthouse and then leave from the other side. If it's a busy day the cost of the trip to the top of the lighthouse is worth it to watch all the boats come in and out. The beach area is a great place to chill play beach sports. The water is cold. You wanna swim go to the water park.

It's a winter wonderland at Pier Marquette. The Lighthouse is unique looking with ice coverage!We don't have them every year but the formations are pretty cool. Come check them out!!

I have lived in Muskegon most of my life and we have plenty of beautiful beaches around, but Pere Marquette is the largest beach here without a day fee. No permits required. There is always something going on be it kite surfing, paddle boarding, volleyball tournaments, whatever you can imagine involving water and sand you will find here. And even when there are hundreds of visitors you will always find your own little spot to sit and enjoy.

One of the nicest day use beaches on the southern end of Lake Michigan. You can walk the beach, the pier or the channel. Many rivers that empty into Lake Michigan are quite dirty (Grand River, Kalamazoo River) and as a result the associated beaches have high count E-coli and trash. There is relatively little development on the Muskegon River, so the beach at Pere Marquette is always clean. This beach is often overlooked and usually not vey busy. The DOCK, has a lot of outdoor seating and serves good food and drinks. The off leash dog beach starts at the south end and runs about 3/4 mile to Kruse (totally awesome dog area). Nice loop walk through the dunes. Most days, people park right by the water or sand edge and put their folding chairs right next to their cars.

It was hot and humid day but once we arrived, a nice breeze coming off the lake made for a pleasant day at the beach. The beach was clean and like Muskegon State Park, it was not overly crowded for a memorial day weekend. We came here for a day trip to escape the crowds in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph due to Senior PGA Championship. There is a boardwalk and paths for walking and cycling. The motor boats on the lake were quite noisy, but did not ruin our restful visit on a beautiful spacious beach.

We were in Michigan for a week and came to this beach twice while there. What brought us back was the clean sand, playground on the beach and easy access to clean bathrooms. There are changing rooms in the bathroom but no showers, there are areas to rinse sand off outside. Parking was close (on a weekday) and free. There was a longer walk to the water but a walkway takes you halfway there making the trek easier. There are also concessions nearby. Great place to take small children. The local trolley/bus makes stops there as well.

this is a typical West Michigan sugar sand beach near in City of Muskegon. It gets crowded on hot summer weekends, but is worth a visit

Soft clean beach sand, fresh water, Pier, light house. Famous for kite boarders. Restaurant available for cocktails and beach fare.

We went to Muskegon for the day. A very industrial city without much to do. The beach is the nicest park - a bit out of the way.

Love this beach! The waves are beautiful and the beach is clean. Also a nice long pier to walk out on.

Love this place,, its the best beach ever...lots of sand for the kids to play in,, very clean and well kept..