Ludington State Park is a public park located two miles north of Ludington, Michigan. It covers 4,800 acres (1,900 ha) between the shores of Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The park includes a one-mile section of the Big Sable River and features the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, which is 112 feet high (34 m) and was built in 1876.

Ecology

The state park includes several different types of environments, such as sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and marshlands. The park covers the southern 2,820 acres (11.4 km) of the Big Sable Dunes complex. The Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, located just north of the park, protects the northern part of this complex.

History

The park was created because of the work by the Isaac Walton League to move 800 acres of land, which was a lighthouse preserve owned by the federal government, to the state of Michigan for the purpose of making a state park. The park was created in 1927 after the U.S. Congress approved the transfer. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps worked in the park to improve it, including building a beach house in the Arts and Crafts style. In 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard transferred the 57.5-acre lighthouse station complex to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Activities and amenities

The park provides water activities such as fishing and swimming in Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, and tubing on the Big Sable River. There are 21.5 miles of hiking trails, 10 miles of cross-country skiing trails, a 2-mile bicycle trail, and a 4-mile canoe trail available. The park includes four campgrounds with a total of 360 campsites, some of which are located in remote areas that require hiking to reach. Additional features include a cafe, lighthouse tours, and a stop on the Mason County Sculpture Trail.