Ludington State Park

8800 W. M-116
Ludington MI, 49431

231-843-2423
TTY/TDD711 (Michigan Relay Center)

4800 (Acres)

Required

The park is home to three campgrounds, sandy beaches, scenic sand dunes, an iconic lighthouse, wetlands, marshlands and forests. It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan, with several miles of beautiful shoreline along both lakes.
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Event Information

Interpretive programs: Professional interpretive naturalists lead nature-based programming daily July through September.

More Information

Ludington State Park, situated between the 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake and 7 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, features scenic sand dunes, three campgrounds, the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse, 21 miles of marked trails and more. A 1-mile stretch of the Big Sable River runs through the park and provides excellent opportunities for fishing, paddling and tubing.

Specially adapted EnChroma-enabled viewers now offer people who are colorblind a tool to enjoy the full spectrum of colors along the Skyline Trail, thanks to the Friends of the Ludington State Park.

The iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse is accessible by foot or bike (although the pathway can be more difficult for road bikes) via a 1.8-mile-long (one way) sand-and-gravel pathway.

track chair iconThe park's two track chairs – capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water – expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chairs are available for visitors to borrow at no cost.

Thanks to the Friends of Ludington State Park for supporting the park. Follow them on Facebook.

Campgrounds

Ludington-Beechwood Campground
800-447-2757
(147)
Ludington-Cedar Campground
800-447-2757
(106)
Ludington-Mini Cabins
800-447-2757
(3)
Ludington-Pines Campground
800-447-2757
(99)
Ludington-Rustic, Walk-in Tent Sites (Jack Pine)
800-447-2757
(10)

Trails

Ludington-Canoe Trail
Trail Length: 4.00 (Miles)
Ludington-Coast Guard Trail
Trail Length: 1.50 (Miles)
Ludington-Island Trail
Trail Length: 2.00 (Miles)
Ludington-Lighthouse Path
Trail Length: 1.80 (Miles)
Ludington-Lighthouse Trail
Trail Length: 3.00 (Miles)
Ludington-Logging Trail
Trail Length: 4.00 (Miles)
Ludington-Lost Lake Trail
Trail Length: 1.50 (Miles)
Ludington-Ridge Trail
Trail Length: 2.70 (Miles)
Ludington-Sable River Trail
Trail Length: 1.50 (Miles)
Ludington-Skyline Trail
Trail Length: 0.50 (Miles)
Ludington-South Park Trails

About the Area

Enjoy Ludington, a lakeside town offering a variety of family-friendly fun. Downtown Ludington is just minutes away, the Historic White Pine Village offers living-history tours and the S.S. Badger car ferry runs twice daily to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Learn about the area at PureLudington.com.

View the View the Ludington Daily News 2022 visitor guide.

View Online Visitor's Guide.

Activities (Display as List)

Bike Rental Item is accessible.
Bike Rental: Dune Grass Concessions offers bike rentals in at the concession store located at the front of the Cedar campground. Firewood, ice, grocery items and souvenirs are also available. For more information, call 231-843-1888.
Biking Item is accessible.
Biking:

Bicycles are allowed on the paved path that runs along the Big Sable River and links the campgrounds, the amphitheater and the Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake day-use areas.

Bicycles are also allowed on the1.8-mile-long (one way) sand-and-gravel pathway leading to the lighthouse, but it can be difficult for road bikes. Find more info under the lighthouse icon.

Boat Rental Item is accessible.
Boat Rental: Dune Grass Concessions offers watercraft rentals (kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards) at Hamlin Lake mid-May through early-October. For more information, call 231-843-1888.
Cross-Country Skiing Item is accessible.
Cross-Country Skiing
Fishing Item is accessible.
Fishing:

Hamlin Lake offers boaters and anglers a multitude of fishing opportunities, including an abundance of northern pike, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, tiger muskie and panfish. In the spring and fall, salmon, lake trout, steelhead and brown trout swim along the shoreline of Lake Michigan and in the Big Sable River below the Hamlin Dam.

Big Sable River special fishing regulations (Aug. 1-Nov. 1): From the mouth of the river upstream to Hamlin Lake Dam, terminal fishing gear is restricted to single-pointed hooks or jigs, measuring .5 inch or less from point to shank or treble hooks 3/8 inch or less from point to shank ONLY when attached to a body bait, plug, spinner or spoon. An artificial lure is not a device primarily constructed of lead.

Hiking Item is accessible.
Hiking
Hunting Item is accessible.
Hunting: Hunting is allowed in the state park; however, you should call this park directly to inquire about any special rules, concerns or considerations. The area open and closed to hunting is signed. View park map for approximate locations.
Metal Detecting Item is accessible.
Metal Detecting: Metal detecting is recognized as a legitimate recreation activity when it is conducted in ways that do not damage natural and cultural resources in Michigan state parks nor violate applicable state statutes. This park map clearly shows where this activity is allowed to take place. Any items found must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation. Areas located within the campground are limited to registered campers only.
Nature Programs Item is accessible.
Nature Programs: Professional interpretive naturalists lead weekly nature-based programming (PDF) based out of the Great Lakes Visitor Center, which also offers interpretive displays.
Paddlesports Item is accessible.
Paddlesports: Paddling is popular at Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan. The protected coves of Lost Lake provide great opportunities for beginners. For the more adventurous paddlers, the park’s one-of-a-kind 4-mile paddling trail through Hamlin Lake and its bordering marshlands offers a challenging trip to areas of the park not easily accessible by foot. Paddlers can access Hamlin Lake using the park’s accessible canoe and kayak launch north of the main boat launch.
Pet-Friendly Area Item is accessible.
Pet-Friendly Area: The majority of the park’s Lake Michigan shoreline is closed to pets to protect endangered piping plover habitat; however, there is a pet-friendly beach on Lake Michigan, located between the beach house and the Big Sable River. Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles.
Snowshoeing Item is accessible.
Snowshoeing
Swimming Item is accessible.
Swimming:

Designated swim areas are located in the Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake day-use areas.

In the Lake Michigan day-use area, there is an accessible walkway to the water and beach wheelchairs available to use. In the Hamlin Lake day-use area, there is a beach wheelchair available to use.

Please be mindful of Great Lakes beach safety. Pay attention to the beach flag warning system in designated swim areas; red flags indicate the water is unsafe and no one should swim in or enter the water. DO NOT swim near the Big Sable river mouth, and pay attention to changing conditions.

Winter Camping Item is accessible.
Winter Camping

Facilities (Display as List)

Amphitheater Item is accessible.
Amphitheater: An outdoor amphitheater is available to rent for open-air weddings and other events. The rental fee includes reserved parking, exclusive use of the amphitheater facility and electrical service. Access to the beach and other scenic areas is available for photo opportunities. For details and reservations, call 231-843-2423.
Beach House Item is accessible.
Beach House:

The historic Lake Michigan beach house, located in the day-use area, is home to interpretive exhibits and programming. It also offers concessions (food, ice cream and beach equipment) and restrooms.

The Hamlin Lake beach house includes restrooms, changing courts, a food concession and rentals (kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards).

Boat Launch Item is accessible.
Boat Launch:

There is a boating access site on Hamlin Lake with parking for vehicles and boat trailers. A double-lane boat ramp with skid pier is available for trailered boats.

An accessible canoe and kayak launch on Hamlin Lake. The launch is located about 50 feet from the drop-off site and ADA parking spots. There are racks where people can temporarily drop off their boats and gear while moving their vehicles to the parking spots.

Concession/ Store Item is accessible.
Concession/ Store: Dune Grass Concessions offers locations at the Lake Michigan beach house (food, ice cream and beach equipment), Hamlin Lake beach house (food and watercraft rentals) and Cedar Campground (bike rentals, firewood, ice, grocery items and souvenirs). For more information, call 231-843-1888.
Fishing Pier Item is accessible.
Fishing Pier: A small fishing pier is located on Hamlin Lake, just upstream from the Hamlin Dam.
Lighthouse Item is accessible.
Lighthouse:

The iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse is accessible by foot or bike (although the pathway can be more difficult for road bikes) via a 1.8-mile-long (one way) sand-and-gravel pathway. The pathway has little shade and is considered more strenuous, especially in the heat of the day.

This 1867 historic beacon is open for tours May through October and is maintained by the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association. There is a gift shop and an entrance fee to climb the tower.

Please do not park and block the gateway entrance to the sand-and-gravel pathway that leads to the lighthouse. There is parking available adjacent to the warming shelter just north of the park entrance.

Directions: Follow the signs into the Pines Campground and then follow the lighthouse symbols painted on the road until you come to the sand-and-gravel pathway located between campsites 58 and 59. Continue down the pathway for the remaining 1.5 miles (one way) trip to the lighthouse. You can return along the same route or walk the shoreline back to the Lake Michigan day-use area (high water levels may make this difficult).

Mini Cabin Item is accessible.
Mini Cabin
Modern Restrooms Item is accessible.
Modern Restrooms
Observation Platform Item is accessible.
Observation Platform:

An elevated boardwalk along Skyline Trail offers views of the dunes. Along the trail, specially adapted EnChroma-enabled viewers offer people who are colorblind a tool to enjoy the full spectrum of colors, thanks to the Friends of the Ludington State Park.

Picnic Area Item is accessible.
Picnic Area: There are picnic areas, including picnic tables and charcoal grills, located at the Hamlin Lake day-use area and along the Big Sable River (across from the Cedar Campground).
Picnic Shelter Item is accessible.
Picnic Shelter: A picnic shelter located in the Hamlin Lake day-use area is available by reservation (or on a first-come, first-served basis if not already reserved). The shelter can be reserved up to a year in advance by calling 1-800-447-2757 or visiting MiDNRReservations.com.
Playground Item is accessible.
Playground:

An accessible playground, located in the Hamlin Lake day-use area, features slides, climbers and other interactive features. It sits on a rubberized surface that makes access easier for those of all mobility levels.

There is second playground located adjacent to the Cedar Campground.

Rustic Site Item is accessible.
Rustic Site
Sanitation Station Item is accessible.
Sanitation Station:

The park’s sanitation station is located at the camper registration station, just 2 miles south of the main park entrance at the Big Sable River. There is potable water available and four lanes.

Additionally, each campground has a walk-up sanitation station geared toward tote-along waste tanks.

Some Campsites with 50 amp Service Item is accessible.
Some Campsites with 50 amp Service
Vault Toilet Item is accessible.
Vault Toilet
Walk-in Sites Item is accessible.
Walk-in Sites
Water Access Item is accessible.
Water Access:

Enjoy 7 miles of sandy shoreline stretching along Lake Michigan and 4 miles of shoreline along Hamlin Lake.

Please be mindful of Great Lakes beach safety. Pay attention to the beach flag warning system in designated swim areas; red flags indicate the water is unsafe and no one should swim in or enter the water. DO NOT swim near the Big Sable river mouth, and pay attention to changing conditions.