At sunset, the lights come on along the cross-country ski trails at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. They stay on until 10 p.m. They do this every night until the first snowfall, whether or not anyone has bought a ticket for anything, because nothing on those trails requires a ticket.

This fall marks the sixth season of Hike the Lights, the free lit trail system at the park. The park sits at 462 Scenic Drive inside Muskegon State Park, with a North Muskegon address. Admission is free in spring, summer and fall. The park's three Saturday Fire Garden Nights, with their fire pits, live music and a beer you can't buy anywhere else, have a practical job. Per MLive's September 30 report, all beverage proceeds from the fire garden events go to Hike the Lights.

The bonfire is how the trail lights get paid for.

Six Weeks That Belong to No Season

The luge park runs on two calendars, and this fall leaves a gap between them.

The summer adventure side of the park includes the zip line, wheel luge, rock wall, archery range and Trail Quest. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 25. The winter side covers the ice rink, ice skating trail, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and the ice luge. The park lists it for December through March, "weather permitting." Its fall conditions report shows all of those winter activities as closed.

"Weather permitting" has a specific meaning here. According to the park's winter pass page, winter activities depend on natural snow and freezing temperatures, and opening waits for at least five inches of snow. The ice rink is natural ice, made by watering snow once temperatures stay below freezing. The park has not announced an opening date for the 2026–27 winter season, and in a lakeshore November nobody can promise one.

So after the last zip line rider on October 25, the park enters a stretch with no scheduled season. The lit trails don't take a break. On the park's own conditions table, the hiking trails are the one activity marked open with the note "Lights will be on at dusk." Between late October and real snow, the free trail and a single Fire Garden night are all that's on the park's schedule.

Three Trails, One Switch at 10 p.m.

The park's lit network runs on routes that skiers and snowshoers will use once winter arrives. The park names three of them:

According to MLive, the lit trail covers more than three miles across those routes. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The park says the trails are groomed and lit every night for hikers, and the lights shut off at 10 p.m. The park's homepage says hiking is available every day until the winter season begins.

As mid-October sunsets move earlier, more of each evening's free window falls after dark. That's when the trails earn their name. A lit loop through the dunes forest on a weeknight costs nothing to walk. The only fee is for parking, which is covered further down.

What One Lightning Strike Cost

The free trail had a rough start to 2026. MLive reported that Hike the Lights was temporarily postponed this year after a lightning strike knocked out 43 lights on the trail. Daniel Bonner, the park's outdoor adventure specialist, told the outlet the repair cost $8,000.

A trail with no admission fee has to get its repair budget somewhere, and the park has set up two ways to do it. One is direct. Through the Bright Lights sponsorship, anyone can "adopt a light pole" for $100. At that rate, the lightning repair works out to 80 adopted poles.

The other way is the bar at the Fire Garden.

Fire Garden Nights Pay the Light Bill

The Fire Garden Nights run 6 to 10 p.m. on three Saturdays this fall. Admission is free. The setup includes fire pits, live music and a staff-led night hike. During the events, staff guide hikers to Muskegon's Blockhouse. Apple cider, donuts and s'mores are on hand. The bar pours beer, wine, seltzer, cider and nonalcoholic options.

The draw at the bar is Luge State of Mind, a fall lager Pigeon Hill Brewing Company made specifically for Muskegon Luge. MLive quoted the brewers' description of it as the "ultimate fall lager." The event listing says it's poured only during Fire Garden nights. Pigeon Hill's regular beers are on the bar too. Every drink bought counts toward the trail, since beverage proceeds support Hike the Lights.

The series opened October 3 with FAN Club. Two nights remain:

• Saturday, October 24: Loren Kranz and Friends. This is the last full adventure weekend before the summer side closes on October 25.
• Saturday, November 14: Tony Jarvis. This one falls after the zip line season ends and before any winter opening.

On event Saturdays, the zip line course stays open an extra hour, until 6:15 p.m., according to MLive. On October 24 you can ride the zip line in the last daylight, walk over to the fire pits when the music starts at 6, and join the guided hike after dark.

The November 14 date stands out more. With no zip line and no snow yet, that Saturday is the clearest example of the park's in-between season, with the lit trails and a fire carrying the evening alone.

Two Things to Sort Out Before You Drive Over

Parking. The events are free, but the park is inside a state park. A Michigan DNR Recreation Passport is required to park there. According to the Michigan DNR, a Michigan-registered passenger vehicle pays $15 for an annual passport added at plate renewal, or $29 for two years. There is no daily option for Michigan plates. A vehicle registered outside Michigan pays $42 for an annual passport or $12 for a day. The fees went up by $1 on January 1, 2026. If visiting family is in town for the November 14 Fire Garden, a car with out-of-state plates can use the $12 day pass.

The winter pass deadline. Fire Garden Nights are also the first chance to buy 2026–27 family season passes in person. On the park's season pass page, the Winter Family Season Pass is $155 until November 1, down from $205. It covers skiing, skating and snowshoeing every day of the season for up to six people in one immediate household, with additional family members at $25 each. Perks include early 8 a.m. entry on weekends, one complimentary "Bring a Friend" day pass, ID cards and lanyards, and a $75 rental-equipment add-on per pass.

The deadline falls between the two remaining Fire Garden dates. The early price is still available on October 24 and gone by November 14. Online sales stay open in between. Either way, the pass costs the same whether the first five inches of snow come at Thanksgiving or well after the holidays.

Until that snow arrives, the lights along White Night Trail, Pete's Path and Lost Lake Trail West will keep coming on at sunset and shutting off at 10. Every drink poured at the November 14 Fire Garden goes toward keeping them on.

If an evening on the lit trails has you thinking about life closer to Muskegon State Park, Buffy Schichtel would be glad to talk through what living near the park's trails and the North Muskegon shoreline looks like through all four seasons. Schedule a Free Consultation, and bring your questions about the in-between months too.

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your situation.