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Black Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · Running trail in Norton Shores, Michigan · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Black Lake Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parking

Park on Black Lake known for its hiking trails, wildlife-viewing and fishing spots as well as boat docks.

What runners say about Black Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (40 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“This was such a Nice park it had much beautiful scenery and was very clean”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“This was such a Nice park it had much beautiful scenery and was very clean”

A great park!! There are tons of different trails here including one wide flat dolomite one that leads to one of the two fishing decks. The parking is free and the multiple trails are easy to navigate with light foot traffic. Some paths are well groomed and some are more rustic.

★★★★★ — H , Dec 2019

Great park for a jog, taking a walk with the kids, pet friendly, picnic tables, porta-john restrooms, geocaching, equestrian trails, and observing nature and wildlife. Thanks and God bless.

★★★★★ — Fitz , Jan 2023

Too weedy to fish from shore. Very nice walk in the woods though, paths are well kept.

★★★★★ — Nick , Oct 2021

I love this park. It is quite and has some pretty well maintained paths. I am able to push my stroller with ease through most of the paths. This is a great place to get out and enjoy nature.

★★★★★ — Ashlee , Jun 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“This was such a Nice park it had much beautiful scenery and was very clean”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“Great park for a jog, taking a walk with the kids, pet friendly, picnic tables, porta-john restrooms, geocaching, equestrian trails, and observing nature and wildlife.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“The parking is free and the multiple trails are easy to navigate with light foot traffic.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 4 mentions

“Amenities: Picnic tables Porta potty (accessible) Trail maps Dolomite/wood chip/rustic/mowed paths Dolomite camera monitored free parking Dogs OK”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Great park for a jog, taking a walk with the kids, pet friendly, picnic tables, porta-john restrooms, geocaching, equestrian trails, and observing nature and wildlife.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Amenities: Picnic tables Porta potty (accessible) Trail maps Dolomite/wood chip/rustic/mowed paths Dolomite camera monitored free parking Dogs OK”

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Plan your run at Black Lake Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitevisitmuskegon.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 am–10 pm
Tuesday 5 am–10 pm
Wednesday 5 am–10 pm
Thursday 5 am–10 pm
Friday 5 am–10 pm
Saturday 5 am–10 pm
Sunday 5 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Black Lake Park

Norton Shores, Michigan

Get directions

Running trails near Norton Shores

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Mt. Baldy

4.7 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Norton Shores, MI

Scenic

1.5 miles away

P. J. Hoffmaster State Park

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Norton Shores, MI

Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Park features the Dune Climb stairway, lake-view observation deck & miles of hiking & skiing trails.

1.7 miles away

Ferrysburg Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 21 reviews

Spring Lake, MI

2.0 miles away

Rycenga Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 158 reviews

Spring Lake, MI

ShadedDog-friendly

2.0 miles away

North Ottawa Dunes

4.8 ★★★★★ 361 reviews

Spring Lake, MI

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Natural area for hiking with marked paths that lead to a beach or lake, plus sand dunes.

2.4 miles away

Ottawa Sands County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 158 reviews

Spring Lake, MI

LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

New park surrounding a lake at a former sand quarry.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Norton Shores, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.