3 Hoffmaster State Park Hiking Trails Not to Miss

While there aren’t any epic bucket list hikes in Hoffmaster State Park, there are plenty of beautiful trails to enjoy.

Our entire family loves camping at PJ Hoffmaster in the summer and hiking through the park’s lush forest or climbing the iconic sand dunes.

Hoffmaster state park is also dog-friendly from the campground to the beaches and hiking trails, just make sure to keep them on a leash.

Dunes Overlook at Hoffmaster State Park Trails

Hoffmaster State Park Trail Map

The campground loops are on the north side of the park and the main visitor center (Gillette Visitor Center) is on the south side of the park.

Trails are scattered throughout, and you can connect loops by walking along the beach.

View fullsize

View fullsize

North Trails - Hoffmaster State Park

View fullsize

South Trails - Hoffmaster State Park

Hoffmaster State Park Trails

The trails are well-marked, but it doesn’t hurt to take a picture of the trail map or download a hiking app such as AllTrails to keep you on the path.

1) Black Creek Trail

Hiking distance: easy 1.7 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Dogs allowed: yes

Black Creek Trail is a wonderful stroll through the woods along the rushing Black Creek.

The trail is easy to access from both campground loops.

We hiked sections of this trail every day for our morning walk and trips to and from the beach. We love Black Creek Trail because you can see different landscapes in a short hike.

The forest and beach sections are what Hoffmaster State Park is known for, but our favorite stretch of the trail was through wildflowers along the creek.

Black Creek Trail has a few beach access locations along the path. I recommend wandering down the dunes to Lake Michigan at least once during your hike. Depending on the route you choose, the climb from the beach back to the trail might get your heart pumping.

2) Walk-a-Mile Trail

Hiking distance: 1.6 mile loop from parking area or 3.2 mile loop from camp
Difficulty: easy
Dogs allowed: yes

Walk-a-Mile Trail is our favorite trail in Hoffmaster State Park. You can access the trail from a parking area with a trailhead or by walking 0.6 miles south along the beach from the campground.

From the beach, you will see a brown trailhead sign at the bottom of a sand dune.

Climb that dune and follow the path to the right into the forest.

The trail offers a beautiful mix of forest and beach scenery to enjoy. Wear your swim suit so you can enjoy a mid-hike swim in Lake Michigan.

Sunset at PJ Hoffmaster State Campground

You can also bring a snack or lunch to have a picnic on the beach. Walk-a-Mile Trail is a great option for a sunset hike. Sunsets over Lake Michigan remind me of San Diego sunsets over the Pacific Ocean, so don’t forget your camera.

3) Homestead Trail

Hiking distance: moderate 2.2 mile loop
Difficulty: easy
Dogs allowed: yes

Homestead Trail is the most popular trail in the southern part of Hoffmaster State Park.

If you are staying in the campground, you will drive 1.5 miles south to the Gillete Visitor Center parking area.

The trail includes 0.5 miles of walking on the beach and a decent-sized sand dune.

Experience Michigan like a local by climbing the sand dune and running down to the water.

Growing up, we would race my dad from the top of a sand dune to the lake, over and over. Dune climbing is a great workout, and you can jump in the lake to cool off at the end.

Hoffmaster State Park has dunes of all sizes, so find one that is calling to you and climb it!

Parking for PJ Hoffmaster Trails

The are a few places to park if you plan to hike the trails at PJ Hoffmaster.

If you aren’t camping at PJ Hoffmaster, you will need to pay $13 to park at either the Gillette Visitor Center or nearby Day Use parking lot. In total, there are 550 parking spaces but summer weekends can fill up by noon.

---