Hoffmaster State Park
Hoffmaster State Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
366 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
109
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
9
V R
30 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
A few nice hiking trails, small visitor center with a few turtles and fish to see. Very nice beach, restrooms and changing areas available, no lifeguards. Out of state costs: $11 per day (or $39 annual pass) gets you into all state parks. Note for dog owners: we were told that state park beaches allow dogs 100 feet from the swimming area which is marked by buoys. Nice place to spend the day!
Written August 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,722 contributions
Aug 2023
Clean camping areas and nice beach. Be sure to adhere your Michigan sticker to your windshield. Ours was stolen from our vehicle.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew H
2 contributions
Aug 2022
A wonderful state park with a beautiful beach and a small nature center as well. The best way I've experienced the park is with camping there however, there are plenty of nice things about the day use area too.
Written May 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan P
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Definitely underrated beach in Michigan. Not too crowded. Entrance fee is $10 and $~36. Beach have good waves and has medium walk from parking lot to the beach.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin N
Holland, MI1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Couples
Don’t sneeze to loud, the DNR might come shut you down. This campsite caters to the 8:00am-7pm crowd. We were quietly talking around the campfire and DNR came and said they could hear us from the street, at 10:00 on a Saturday. Karen next door complained about owls being too loud. 10/10 would not recommend. Pretty nice activity field though.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine L
122 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Great hiking both on and off the beach. There are also steps up to a lookout area. May choices, easy parking, and a visitor center with restrooms and limited hours.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trish Masena
Nags Head, NC33 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Beautiful beach in a natural setting. Short walk from parking lot with restrooms and changing rooms. Powdery sand and gorgeous shoreline perfect for a long walk. Also enjoyed the 1 mile wall loop trail through the forest.
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ymkov
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Couples
The beach was beautiful, although it’s a bit of a hike to get to it. That’s about all I can say that’s positive about this campground. The sites are tiny and crammed together. Cars are parked all over the place making it hard to park a trailer amd get it out. This is the only campground in MI that prohibits alcohol, which was strange. It seemed like mostly IL people at the campground, which made it feel noticeably less friendly than other campgrounds we’ve stayed at. MI state campgrounds aren’t very nice, in general, but this one is one of the worst ones, IMO. This was our first and last time we will ever go to this campground. Yuck.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron Hall
Elizabethtown, KY11 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We drove up from Spring Lake and would gladly do it again. Well worth the admission fee. Better waves and scenery here than a little south.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bowmad
11 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We camped at the park. The dunes and beaches are amazing. The campground staff are all excellent. Restrooms and showers are very modern and constantly ckeaned.
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does the park have access to Little Black Lake for putting a kayak or stand up paddle board in?
Rick and Cathy F
Dexter1 contribution
Hi, wondering if there is enough snow to go cross country skiing at Hoffmaster state park this weekend? Is there a way check to see how much snow is on the ground or if the trails are open?
Greg
28 contributions
We had some snow but Im not sure if its enough to ski on there is Muskegon State Park has trails set up for cross country too
Is there free camping at Hoffmaster?
Adi V
5 contributions
This is a "modern" campground with restrooms and showers and campground host. You need a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter with your vehicle and you need to pay for a campsite. Usually they are around $33/day. For sites B1, B2, C1 and C2 it may be cheaper since they do not have electricity.
Is the beach dog friendly?
Patti R
Michigan, USA24 contributions
As far as I know, the only dog-friendly beach is the one further north at Kruse Park. Ranger Station could tell you for sure.
Just bought a boat. Wondering what kind of rules there are for boaters visiting Hoffmaster i.e. alcohol, dogs, boat anchoring, bathrooms, etc. Also, what part of the park is the best place for boaters to anchor and swim in?
Ryan H
Columbus, OH3 contributions
I LOVE that you're asking this--super considerate.
I just spend the weekend at PJ Hoffmaster with my fam and our beach experience was totally ruined because of boaters anchoring too close to shore (right where we and other families were swimming, about 20 boats just showed up, dropped anchor 20 ft from shore--loud music, drinking, etc. ensued. Not a great scene for families with young kids (not to mention it felt SUPER rude/inconsiderate).
After getting home I checked out the laws for boating on Lake Michigan and boats are required to stay 100 feel from the shoreline/swimmers (so at Hoffmaster I'd say anchoring maybe a 1/4 mile north of the largest dune will put you well away from beachgoers). Dogs seemed fine as along as they were on a leash.
As far as bathrooms just up from where there are swimming bouys (to your left as you enter the wooded area of the dunes) are port-o-potties.
RE: alcohol, I know that PJ Hoffmaster bans (no possession or consumption) alcohol April 15 through Labor day.
We are planning a trip in an RV (not towing a car) for August, are there any transportation options (i.e. bike rental, uber, shuttle...) from the state park to the town?
Adi V
5 contributions
I'd advice you stop in Grand Haven and rent a car or motorbike. There may be Uber but you'll definitely wait for a long time for your ride and it'll be pricey. Another option is to befriend your campsite neighbors and ask for a ride :). Most people take a trip to town for food and wood.
Searching3
Michigan106 contributions
Can you rent cross country skis here and if so, how much?
JONI M
Muskegon, MI53 contributions
Yes, certain times. Love the trails! The dunes create some shelter from the winds of the lake and the views are breathtaking. I would call The park for specifics.
Cheryl S
Fremont, MI28 contributions
Do you need reservations ?
jeannette g
Muskegon, MI44 contributions
I would agree with not always but depends time of year. There is lots of hiking & beautiful dunes. Enjoy!
do they have restroom were people swim
Some Bold Adventure
MI93 contributions
There is a restroom and changing area in the swim beach parking lot. From the parking lot there is a short trek down some stairs (or a ramp) to get to the beach.
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Claim your listingHOFFMASTER STATE PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hoffmaster State Park
- Hotels near Hoffmaster State Park:
- (0.56 km) Nature's Intrigue
- (0.83 km) Cottage Bordering Hoffmaster State Park
- (9.51 km) Looking Glass Beachfront Inn
- (1.39 km) Private Beach, Beauty, Seclusion
- (10.71 km) Best Western Beacon Inn
- Restaurants near Hoffmaster State Park:
- (6.07 km) The Hearthstone Bistro
- (5.87 km) Toast 'N Jams
- (9.88 km) Fatty Lumpkins' Sandwich Shack
- (7.12 km) The Station Grill
- (9.22 km) Morning Star Cafe
- Attractions near Hoffmaster State Park:
- (11.02 km) Pere Marquette Park
- (1.23 km) Oak Ridge Golf Club
- (11.43 km) USS Silversides Submarine Museum
- (10.29 km) Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier
- (9.28 km) Grand Haven State Park