Photo of Blue Bridge, Grand Rapids

Sports, Leisure, & Water

Whether you want to watch or play, West Michigan is a great place to be active. We are rated the 8th best golf region in the country, offer nine ski resorts within 200 miles, have several hundred miles of bike trails, 18 world-class beaches, hundreds of inland lakes, and have the most outdoor sports activities ranked in the Top 50 in Lifestyle Market Profiles of any other region in the country.  

West Michigan is also home to minor league baseball and hockey teams, and holds the #3 spot for fun and recreation by the Places Rated Almanac.

grand haven skate parkGrand Haven is an active and eclectic resort, boating, fishing and port community, while maintaining its small town feel. The community offers more than 100 miles of bike trails, a state beach, boardwalk, two lighthouses, a pier, wharf and large charter fishing fleet.

Grand Haven State Park has a beautiful sandy shore on Lake Michigan along the west side of the park and the Grand River along the north side of the park. The park consists entirely of beach sand and provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and the Grand Haven pier and lighthouse.

Rosy Mount Natural Dune Area is a classic Great Lakes dune system including high wooded dunes, foredunes, beach and a dune blowout. A 0.7 mile (one way) hiking trail from the parking area to the Lake Michigan shoreline includes 1,000 feet of stairs up and down the dunes and scenic views of woods, the dune blowout, and Lake Michigan.

Golf Courses

Grand Haven has a variety of golf courses for every skill level:

Evergreen Golf Course

Fruitport Golf Club

Grand Haven Golf Club

Spring Lake Country Club

West Michigan Whitecaps

Whether you want to watch or play, Grand Rapids is a great place to be active.  Considered one the best walking cities, Grand Rapids is also great for biking and hiking, and was rated the sixth most popular fishing city in the U.S. by Field and Streammagazine.

Our semi-pro teams in West Michigan

The excitement of pro sports, without the prices of a major league stadium.

The Grand Rapids Griffins belong to the American Hockey Association and are the 2013 Calder Cup Champions.

The West Michigan Whitecaps is our minor-league baseball team. They play at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park.

Grand Rapids Drive is the G League basketball team affiliated with the Detroit Pistons.

Other Sports & Recreation Options

Grand Rapids FC is West Michigan’s only soccer team affiliated with the National Premier Soccer League.

Cannonsburg Bike Trails offers six miles of mountain biking trails.

Egypt Valley Bike Trails offers seven miles of mountain biking trails and is also open to hikers.

Egypt Valley Country Club is one of Grand Rapids’ premier country clubs, offering club tours, golf & social membership services, events, and dining.

Fifth Third River Bank Run features the largest 25K road race in the country, plus a 10K run, a 5K run, a 5K walk and junior events.

Grand C.I.T.Y Sports is an organization committed to mentoring and teaching at-risk youth through sports education.

The Grand Rapids Fish Ladder is a series of stair-step concrete pools that allow fish to bypass a dam on their journey upstream toward Lansing. A specially designed viewing structure allows visitors to see fish as they pass by.

The Grand Rapids Sport and Social Club is perfect for the Grand Rapids 21 and up, professionals. We offer a unique opportunity to meet other physically and socially active individuals. From Dodgeball, Kickball, to Flag Football. All teams are coed.

The Grand Rapids YMCA offers a variety of programs, sports, and club opportunities for the whole family.

The Grand Valley State Lakers compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports, having won numerous national championship titles and Directors Cups since 2002.

The John Ball Zoo has over 1,100 animals representing the wilds of Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, and the United States.

Kent County Parks Foundation, founded in 1999, as a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and improving land, protecting the environment and preserving open space in Kent County. We support the mission of the Kent County Parks Department, which is currently responsible for 38 parks totaling 6,712 acres as well as four regional trails.

Millennium Park offers 1,500 acres of urban green space.

MVP Sports Spot offers the Grand Rapids community quality indoor youth soccer instruction, indoor youth and adult soccer league play, and other indoor field sports and events.

Patterson Ice Center is a premier skating facility for recreation, figure skating, hockey, and speed skating.

Robinette’s Bike Trails
 offers daily and year-round passes.

Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink is open throughout the winter for outdoor ice skating.

West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition is a non-profit grassroots group, dedicated to developing non-motorized trails and greenways throughout West Michigan.

The Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA provides a community members a place to help them attain a healthy life.

The West Michigan Sports Commission promotes Michigan’s West Coast as the premier destination for youth and amateur sporting events. They host the popular Meijer State Games.

Golf Courses

Grand Rapids has a variety of golf courses for every skill level:

Boulder Creek Golf Club

Broadmoor Country Club

Cascade Hills Country Club

Centennial Country Club

Egypt Valley Country Club

Indian Trails Golf Course

Kent Country Club (Hello West Michigan Member)

Quail Ridge Golf Club

Saskatoon Golf Club

The Meadows Golf Club (GVSU)

Thornapple Pointe

Thousand Oaks Golf Club

Watermark Country Club

holland state park

Being located on the shores of Lake Michigan has its advantages – there is never a shortage of fun ways to experience Holland and Zeeland.

Zeeland Township’s location provides wide recreational opportunities with easy access to nearby lakes, streams, cross country skiing, biking and hiking.

The Grand Valley State Lakers compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports, having won numerous national championship titles and Directors Cups since 2002. Helder Park is a large popular sports park with numerous sport fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds.

Hemlock Crossing offers 239 acres of woods and wetlands along the Pigeon River. Over six miles of trails for hiking and cross country skiing meander through an upland forest, old pine plantations, and along the river.

From its spa, to its 50-meter lap pool, and the kids area with slides and water toys – Holland Community Aquatic Center has everything you need for adventure and fun, any season of the year.

Holland Skateboard Park is a city park designed and built by local skateboarders, and is open to the public.

Holland State Park offers access to beaches, camping, fishing, and much more.

Zeeland has seven city parks as well residents have the opportunity to reserve spacing for special occasions at the Lawrence Park Bowl, Lawrence Park Bowl, and Lawrence Park Pavilion.

Stretching along Lake Michigan’s shoreline for over 1/3 mile, Kirk Park boasts 68 acres of sandy beach, high bluffs and wooded dunes. Nature trails with wooden stairways wind through the wooded dunes offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan. A paved path leads to a deck overlooking the beach and Lake Michigan. This is a popular park for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, and cross country skiing.

Michigan Shipwreck Research Association preserves and promotes Michigan’s submerged maritime history. The organization’s work includes research and documentation of submerged cultural resources and the creation of educational programs and materials.

Laketown Beach features a tall stairway, providing incredible vistas and access to Lake Michigan.

With its apex 157 feet above Lake Michigan, the Mt. Pisgah Dune Boardwalk culminates with breathtaking views of Lake Macatawa, marinas, Lake Michigan, and Big Red.

Zeeland has a community recreation filled with numerous activities throughout the whole year for youth and adults. Some activities for the youth include dance, gymnastics, baseball and vehicle engineering, while some of the adult activities include fitness, art, and disc golf.

Ottawa County Dog Park is located on the Ottawa County Fair Grounds property, and has sections for large and small dogs.

Pigeon Creek Park is a great place for hiking and camping with over 10 miles of hiking or winter-time skiing and snow-shoeing trails.

A day-use park along a secluded strip of Lake Michigan shoreline, Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers 1,000 acres of land with 2.5 miles of shore line. In addition, the park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall.

Tunnel Park has an extensive beach plus picnic areas, two picnic shelters, four sand volleyball courts, a children’s playground complete with a dune climb, and a dune stairway with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.

MKMichiganAdventure

Nature’s amenities are a draw for recreation-seekers, many of whom choose Muskegon for its 26 miles of Lake Michigan waterfront, 400 miles of rivers, more than 11,000 acres of inland lakes for boating, swimming, fishing or just relaxing as well as Muskegon’s award-winning beaches. A favorite port of call, miles and miles of trails and unspoiled coastline, rivers for rafting and fishing, and one of three luge runs in the U.S. make Muskegon a year-round recreation destination.

Great Lakes Marina resides on breathtaking Lake Muskegon, which is 50 feet deep, 8 miles long and 2 miles wide, and connects with Lake Michigan allowing full access to the water and everything it has to offer.

The main attractions of PJ Hoffmaster State Park are the Dune Climb Stairway leading to the top of a high sand dune where an observation deck offers a panoramic view of the dunes and Lake Michigan, the Gillette Visitor Center, three miles of sandy beaches, and 10 miles of hiking trails.

Michigan’s Adventure is a theme and water park featuring seven roller coasters.

Gillette Nature Center promotes and sponsors interpretive activities and educational opportunities for the Muskegon and Ottawa county community surrounding the Gillette Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park.

The Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a complete list of beaches and parks in the area.

Muskegon Bike Time is a free, three-day motorcycle event.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud members of the United States Hockey League, the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and the leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States.

The Muskegon Risers are a member of The Premier League of America (PLA) and participate in both the outdoor and indoor soccer seasons.

The West Michigan Ironmen Michigan’s only professional indoor football team and are currently playing the Champion Indoor Football League (CIF).

The West Michigan Lake Hawks are a professional basketball team playing in the American Basketball League (ABA). Their home games are played at a few different Muskegon Area High Schools and their season runs October through March.

Muskegon State Park offers more than two miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan and over one mile on Muskegon Lake, along with camping and hiking.

The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex offers a luge run, ice skating, skiing, and more.

Golf

Muskegon has a variety of golf courses for every skill level:

Moss Ridge Golf Club

Chase Hammond Golf Course

Muskegon Country Club

Oak Ridge Golf Club

Stonegate Golf Club

Lincoln Golf Club

University Park Golf Course

Bent Pine Golf Club

White Lake Golf Club

Eagle Island Golf Course

Saugatuck and Douglas Beaches span 10 miles of coastline and feature six public beaches.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a day-use park along a secluded strip of Lake Michigan coastland offering 2.5 miles of shore line. The park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall. The park’s terrain varies from steep slopes to rolling hills.

Allegan State Game Area contains nearly 50,000 acres of land ideal for trail-riding, camping, birdwatching, canoeing, and hiking.

Kal-Haven Trail is a 34-mile, crushed limestone path connecting South Haven and Kalamazoo. The trail meanders through wooded areas, past farm lands and over rivers and streams.

Fennville Farm Unit is part of the Allegan State Game Area. This 4,100 acre space is popular for Canadian goose hunting.

Diamond Spring Gold Course

Lake Monterey Golf Course

Yankee Springs Recreation Area has rugged terrain, bogs, marshes, lakes, and streams. The park’s 5,200 acres are enjoyed for many activities including hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. The park’s nine lakes offer fishing and water sports of all kinds during warm weather. Gun Lake offers various camping opportunities including rustic and equestrian camping as well as youth camping facilities.

Gun Lake

YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin sits on over 160 acres in Middleville and offers numerous camp activities for both day and overnight campers.

Camp Thornapple, Inc is located between Nashville and Hastings on Thornapple Lake and boasts 32 wooded acres with full hookup sites (electric, water and sewer), 4 water and electric sites, and 3 primitive sites on High Bank Creek that runs through the park.

Hastings Bowl features 18 lanes and a full service bar/lounge and snack bar.

The Legacy at Hastings Golf Course

YMCA of Barry County

U Rent Em Canoe Livery

Gun Lake Casino is just over the border in Allegan County.

Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat

Long Lake Outdoor Center

Rivergate Campground

Winding Creek Camp

Whispering Waters Campground

Indian Valley Campground

Michigan Audoubon Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Kellogg Biological Station

Trail Systems

Lake County is best known for its trail systems including ORV, motorbike, walking, bicycle, and groomed snowmobile trails. Check out the map on the Lake County Trails website. Favorites include:

  • Little Manistee Trail: a 46 mile loop, with single tracks for bikes and 72” wide or ORV’s.
  • Tin Cup: a 21 mile, all-sport trail
  • Lincoln Hills: a 21 mile trail with single track and 72” wide paths for ORV’s
  • Little O: a 41 mile, 50” wide single track for bikes and ORVs

Waterways

Lake County has 116 lakes of all shapes, depths, and sizes. Wolf Lake and Big Star Lake are the largest.

The Pere Marquette River, Pine River, Little Manistee River, and Baldwin River also run through the Lake County with several streams connected to each.

Local rivers offer multiple boat launches including 8 on the Pere Marquette River, 6 on the Pine River, 3 on the Manistee River, and 2 on the Baldwin River. Boat launches for the lakes are on Wolf Lake, Big Star Lake, North Lake, Harper Lake, Switzer Lake, Reed Lake, Paradise Lake, Leverenze Lake, Bass Lake, Lake Olga, Elbow Lake, and Sand Lake.

Idlewild Lake, Wolf Lake, and Big Star Lake have public beaches.

Camping

Lake County has many campgrounds, some rustic, and some with more amenities.

Golf

Marquette Trails Golf Course is located on 76th Street in southern Lake County.

Ludington State Park features 5,300 acres of sand dunes, hardwood forests, marshlands, and nearly seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and offers opportunities to camp, hike, and bike and tour the Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

Ludington Recreation Department

West Shore Community College pool and ice arena

Baldwin Community Pool

Manistee National Forest

Nordhouse Dunes

School Forest Trails

Cartier Park

Waterfront Park

Lincoln Hills Golf Club

Lakeside Links Golf Club

Hemlock Golf Course

County Parks & Recreation

Newaygo Firearms Training Center and Range: offers a variety of firearms training for novice and experienced shooters. The facility has covered and heated pistol shooting stalls and is available to the public through purchase of a membership. It is Newaygo County’s first year-round dedicated pistol training facility.

Newaygo Nationals Association: encourages participation in paddling and outdoor recreation.

North Country Trail

Town & Country Bike Path

Camp Newaygo is a year-round program and retreat facility with an All Girl’s Resident Camp founded in 1926. They offer summer programs, year-round rentals, community events, and innovative family programs on 104 acres.

There are also several great parks to visit in Newaygo County. Find them on the Parks & Recreation website.

Campgrounds: 

Clubs:

Evart Car Club is a social organization dedicated to the enjoyment of all types of automobiles and personal transportation.  Activities include the Annual Car Show and the Annual Car Cruise.

Marion Rod & Gun Club was established in 1932 and sits on 77 acres northwest of Marion. It features a modern, heated clubhouse and offers trap and skeet, with lights; a 14 station, 50-100 bird sporting clays range with flyers, rabbits, and squirrels; a heated, designated 5-stand; a pistol range; and a 25-200 yard rifle range.

Reed City Sportsman Club is located east of Reed City and features 2 trap and skeet fields as well as a pistol and rifle range.

Pere Marquette Snowmobile Club sponsors the White Pine and the Pere Marquette trails by maintaining and grooming 102 miles going through 5 counties in mid-Michigan.

County Parks:

Crittenden is located approximately two miles south of Sears in Orient Township. It borders the eastern shore of Big Lake in a grassy setting with many large shade trees. It features a number of activities and amenities such as 70 modern and 10 rustic campsites, a pavilion and grills for groups, campground store, playground, basketball court, volleyball court, swimming, DNR boat launch, and fishing.

Rose Lake Park is located approximately three miles northeast of the Village of LeRoy in Rose Lake Township. It sits adjacent to Rose Lake among beautiful pines and hardwoodsThe campground features a number of activities and amenities such as 151 modern and 12 primitive campsites, a 1,300 foot swimming beach, an 18 hole mini-golf course, two large pavilions and grills for groups, two playgrounds, a boat launch, campground store, shuffleboard, basketball court, baseball diamond, and fishing.

Fishing:

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified 21 of the county’s lakes as locations to fish.  Additionally, both the Pine and Middle Branch Rivers are listed in the DNR’s guide, Michigan’s Best Fly Fishing Streams for Wild Trout.

Golf Courses:

Hunting:

Osceola County offers many opportunities for the hunter, including 995 acres of the Osceola-Missaukee Grasslands State Game Area.

Osceola-Missaukee Grasslands State Game Area Map

Off Road Trails:

Osceola County DNR Forest Roads Map

The Evart Motorcycle Trail is a 22 mile, Michigan DNR, motorcycle-only trail set in the Pere Marquette Forest.

Rails-to-Trails:

The Pere Marquette State Trail and White Pine Trail intersect at the Reed City Depot, a reconstructed replica of the historic downtown railroad depot, in Reed City. As a result, trail users can travel either east-west or north-south. Activities on the trails include walking, biking, rollerblading, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. Both the Pere Marquette and White Pine trails are wheelchair accessible.

Pere Marquette State Trail is a 55 mile-long trail running east-west through Clare, Lake, and Osceola counties. Almost the entire distance is hard surface (crushed limestone or paved). A trailhead with parking lot and restroom is located in Reed City and Evart. Downtown amenities are easily available. The Reed City trailhead also has a pavilion, picnic tables, and fire pit.

White Pine Trail is an almost 93 mile-long trail running north-south between Grand Rapids and Cadillac. It is the second longest trail in Michigan. Fourteen of the 24 miles in Osceola County are paved. A trailhead with parking lot, restroom, pavilion, picnic tables, and fire pit is located in Reed City. Downtown amenities are easily available.