Lost Lake Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors

Day Passes are required during winter hours. Daily and seasonal available.

These things are available for rent: snowshoes, cross-country skis, boots, and poles, ice skates, hockey sticks, pucks, helmets, etc. They have a large variety of sizes for small children to adults. A snack counter with cold/hot beverages and food. Cash and cards are accepted.

Lost Lake Trail is the longest of the snowshoeing trails at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, closing in around 3 miles round trip.

It begins behind the lodge and color coordinated blazes at the trailhead are posted, along with blaze information for the shorter surrounding trails. There are blazes throughout the trail and posted maps and directional arrows where the trail intersects with other snowshoe or cross-country ski trails. It is important to avoid cross-country ski trails while wearing snowshoes as the crampons will tear up the groomed track.

This trail is mostly flat track with a single lane and only gently rolling elevations. Fallen trees and debris are usually removed from the trail, but there is always the possibility of small trees or brush due to heavy snow or ice. Snow is not cleared from trails; be aware that even with snowshoes running through deep snow can be arduous. It is always colder near the lakeshore, so plan for temperatures several degrees colder, strong winds, and lake effect snowfall.

Around the half-way point Lost Lake comes into view, with the rising dunes of Lake Michigan beyond its shore. The lake is usually snow-covered so be extremely careful approaching the edges, as it is difficult to see where they actually begin to drop off into the water. * DO NOT attempt to run/snowshoe/ski across the lake. *

The end of the trail meanders around the luge track, where beginner luge classes take place. There is also a warming yurt and fire pit near the track, but hours of operation vary. Finally, the trail ends back at the lodge and ice rinks where there is an indoor fireplace, benches, restrooms, warm beverages, and snacks.

The cross-country ski trails are groomed and well lit at night (usually 10 p.m. cut off; check at lodge to be sure), but portions of the snowshoe trails go through pine forest, which is not lit or groomed.

Squirrels, whitetail deer, fox, and birds can all be found here.