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In 2024 I sent out a few Facebook notifications and posts on a few small boat forums. It was simple--anyone who wanted, come to Muskegon State Park the weekend after Labor Day. We had half a dozen that year, and over 14 boats in 2025. We hope to keep growing! Here's all your information for the event.
2026 dates: September 18-20
TIMING. September, after Labor Day. We try to hit the sweet spot after the big crowds are gone, but before it gets too cold.
LOCATION. Muskegon State Park. The Channel Loop Campground area, to be precise. It offers some great features for the small boat sailor. There's a nearby boat launch. A quiet beach, near your campsite, to leave your boat on the sand or at anchor. An inland lake to sail on, a channel to motor, row, or sail through, out to a harbor and Lake Michigan. Two restaurants to sail to or drive to. See below for more details and videos.
The Schedule. It's more of an idea of potential activities--remember, you are in charge of your own boat and your own time. Here's what most of us do:
Friday Evening: Get checked in, set up camp. Then walk around the campground loops to meet folks--you can spot them by the boats at their sites. Swing by the event organizer's campsite to chat, or with any questions.
Saturday Morning: Head over to the boat launch. Get your boat over to the beach near the campground. We try to meet at the beach later morning or around noon, sailing around together before or after.
Saturday Lunch: There are two restaurants we have frequented. Bear Lake Tavern is a quick drive from the campground. The Deck is a great place; if the conditions are to your liking, you can go through the channel, into the harbor, beach your boat, then walk to the restaurant.
Saturday afternoon and evening: Sail some more. Dinner on your own, then group S'mores at the campsite.
Sunday morning: Pack up camp, sail as much or as little as you'd like, share photos, say goodbye, start dreaming of next year.
Recording 2026-01-05 103640.mp4This video answers a lot of logistical questions--where it is, where we camp, where we launch, and where we anchor, plus some more things. It's a good place to start.
Site Reservations
Each person makes their own campsite reservations. Michigan State Parks open reservations six months before the first day of your reservation. If you want reservations for September 18 and 19, you can make those reservations beginning March 18.
There is a way to jump ahead if you really want a particular campsite. You can reserve up to 14 days at a time. Therefore you could make your reservations as early as six months and 14 days beforehand. If the event was September 18 and 19, on March 5 you could make a reservation from September 5-19, and then later cancel days 5-17. However, there are fees for the cancellation that you should review.
All this said, one reason we hold the event after Labor Day is so the crowds are lower and the demand for campsites is lower. In past experience there are sites available in the Channel Loop Campground through early summer (but why wait?).
Online reservations here.
Other Questions
Can I come without a boat? Absolutely! Most of us are happy to share our boat with a crew. It would be a great way to meet friends and try out small boat sailing.
Do I have to camp? Nope. Come for just Saturday if you can. Or pick a hotel or other accommodations in Muskegon if you aren't into camping.
Do I register, pay a fee, or something else? Relax--no registration here. Make your camping site registration on your own and meet us there. We'd love to know who is coming, so send us an email or mark "attending" on the Facebook page.
Campsite Information
Important: There are two campgrounds at Muskegon State Park. You want the one on the south end, near the channel and Muskegon Lake--it's called the Channel Loop Campground.
Within the Channel Loop Campground are two loops. While either is fine, most of us stay in Loop One, specifically campsites in the 56-77 section. This allows the best access to the beach on Muskegon Lake.
All campsites are suitable for tents, which most of have. Many have room to also store your vehicle and boat on a trailer. Once in the water, there is a parking lot for trailers near the campground entrance.
Muskegon CampsitesVideos
Here's a video of campsites in the Channel Loop.
Muskegon Boat LaunchHere is the boat launch near the campground. Note the construction mentioned is scheduled to be finished for the 2026 season.
Muskegon Sailing.MOVUnderway, between the launch at Snug Harbor and the beach/campsites.
Muskegon Beach.MOVHere is the beach near the campsites, with some comments about anchoring your boat overnight here.
Muskegon Sailing 20205.MOVSailing shots and commentary of most of the 2025 participants--who wouldn't want to sail with this group!
Right after this we met on the beach and talked for awhile, it was great to see all the different boats. Then most of us went through the channel to The Deck restaurant--the beach landing was wild but we worked together.
Peaceful Muskegon Sailing.MOVSome quiet, peaceful evening sailing on Lake Muskegon.
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