Ludington State Park & lighthouse

About

Ludington State Park sits on a beautiful stretch of Michigan's western coast, where Lake Michigan meets Hamlin Lake across a narrow strip of forested dunes. It's one of the most popular state parks in Michigan, and for good reason - the combination of sandy beaches, wooded trails, and the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse makes it a destination that rewards every kind of visitor.

The park covers over 5,300 acres of diverse terrain. On the Lake Michigan side, wide sandy beaches stretch along the shoreline, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply watching the waves roll in. Hamlin Lake offers calmer waters ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Between the two, a network of trails winds through dunes, forests, and wetlands rich with wildlife.

The centerpiece for many visitors is Big Sable Point Lighthouse. A 1.8-mile pathway leads from the trailhead to this striking black-and-white tower, which has guided ships since 1867. You can return along the same route or, water levels permitting, walk the Lake Michigan shoreline back to the day-use area. The lighthouse is open for tours during summer months, and climbing to the top rewards you with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding dunes.

Camping here is excellent, with modern campgrounds offering electrical service, pull-through sites, toilet and shower buildings, and a sanitation station. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, the facilities are well-maintained and thoughtfully designed.

The park is busiest during summer weekends, so arriving early or visiting midweek gives you a more relaxed experience. Spring and fall bring fewer crowds and spectacular color changes in the surrounding forests. Fishing is popular year-round, with Hamlin Lake producing walleye, pike, and panfish.

Ludington State Park proves that a great outdoor destination can be both wild and welcoming. It's a place where families return year after year, and first-time visitors quickly understand why.

Accessibility

Ludington State Park has made significant efforts to ensure visitors of all abilities can enjoy its beaches and natural areas. The park offers two off-road electronic track chairs, donated to the park and available for public use. These all-terrain electric wheelchairs can handle rugged terrain and up to 8 inches of water, allowing visitors to cruise along the beach near the Big Sable River and explore areas that traditional wheelchairs cannot reach. Visitors must be able to transfer to use the track chairs, and a transfer board is available.

The campground includes ADA-accessible sites with electrical service, modern toilet and shower buildings, and pull-through sites that accommodate larger vehicles. The day-use areas on both the Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake sides of the park provide accessible facilities.

The pathway to Big Sable Point Lighthouse is 1.5 miles one way. While the trail surface may present challenges for some mobility devices, the track chairs can help visitors cover this terrain more comfortably.

Michigan's state park system now has the most track chairs for public use of any state park system in the country, and Ludington is one of the flagship locations for this program. Availability may vary by season and demand, so reservations are recommended.

Contact Ludington State Park directly at (231) 843-2423 for current details on track chair availability, trail conditions, and any additional accessibility accommodations. Specific information about accessible beach access points, sensory accommodations, and lighthouse tower accessibility should be confirmed before your visit.

More accessible places in Michigan

• Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit)
• Michigan Science Center (Detroit)
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Empire)
• The Henry Ford (Dearborn)
• Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Upper Peninsula)
• Flint Institute of Arts (Flint)