Hawk Island County Park

A Natural Oasis

Situated in Lansing, Hawk Island County Park spans a generous 100 acres of green space that we've found great for outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Centered around a picturesque lake, this park strikes that perfect balance between peaceful relaxation and active adventure. The lush landscape makes you forget you're still in the city - a nearby location that reconnects you with nature.

Summer Fun in the Sun

Come summer, the park's sandy beach becomes a hotspot for swimmers looking to cool off. We appreciate that the beach area is kept clean, with lifeguards conducting hourly safety checks. If you've got kids in tow, the splash pad is a hit - offering water play for all ages and representing a great alternative when you're not feeling the lake.

The community-built playground deserves special mention - it's not your typical play area. Think wooden structures with slides, swings, and climbing zones that accommodate both toddlers and older children in separate sections.

Want to get out on the water? The park offers boat rentals including paddle boats (those swan-shaped ones are particularly charming), kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. The lake is also quite generous to fishing enthusiasts - you'll find multiple fishing docks where bass and bluegill are common catches.

Trails Worth Traveling

One of our favorite features is the 1.5-mile paved trail looping around the lake. Regardless of whether you're walking, jogging, biking, or skating, this well-maintained path delivers on views and exercise. What's even better? It connects to the Lansing River Trail system, so you can extend your adventure to other Lansing landmarks like Potter Park Zoo, MSU campus, and the Red Cedar River Trail.

If you prefer something more natural underfoot, the wooded trails offer a quieter experience. These paths wind through lovely forests and are perfect spots for geocaching or wildlife watching - don't be surprised if you spot deer and other critters during your walk.

Autumn foliage along the lake's northern boardwalk

Photo: Pablo Contreras (CC0 1.0)

Winter Wonderland

When snow falls, Hawk Island transforms completely. The snow tubing hill becomes the star attraction, complete with snow-making machines and a "magic carpet" lift that whisks you back to the top. You can enjoy tubing here even when the rest of Lansing is lacking snow.

After some downhill fun, warm up in the warming building with its concession stand offering hot cocoa and snacks. There's also an outdoor fire pit (with wood provided) for that perfect winter atmosphere. Even if tubing isn't your thing, the plowed concrete paths around the lake make for lovely winter walks.

Park Perks

The picnic areas here are ideal for gatherings - family reunions, birthday celebrations, or just casual get-togethers. You'll find grills and shelters throughout, with several pavilions that can be reserved ahead of time for your events.

The park doesn't stop there - it also offers sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, fishing docks, and scenic boardwalks. When hunger strikes, the concession stands have reasonably priced refreshments from ice cream to hot dogs (and yes, they take both cash and cards).

You'll discover clean restrooms near the splash pad and pavilion areas, plus plenty of parking throughout - making it easy to access whatever part of the park you're heading to.

For Four-Legged Friends

Dog owners, you're in luck. Hawk Island features a spacious dog park with a fenced area where your pup can run free. There's even a dedicated lake just for dogs to splash around in. While your furry friends are welcome on leashes throughout most of the park, note that the beach area and splash pad are dog-free zones.

Visitor Info

There's a small entrance fee ($3 for Ingham County residents, $5 for non-residents), or you can opt for an annual pass that covers all Ingham County parks. Just be aware that the Michigan Recreation Passport doesn't apply here. The park's central location makes it easily accessible from anywhere in Lansing.