Ludington State Park is among the hottest locations to camp in Michigan. Situated between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lakes, the closest city is Ludington.
This state park boasts over 5,300 acres and has 360 campsites. Plus, there are many actions to maintain your loved ones busy to your complete tenting journey.
Learn on to study extra about Ludington State Park tenting!
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 1 The black and white Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Big-Sable-Point-Lighthouse-SS-674909314.jpg)
Historical past of Ludington State Park
Ludington State Park started within the city of Hamlin in 1852. Initially a logging group situated on the banks of the Huge Sable River, a dam was constructed alongside the Hamlin sawmill.
The realm had an energetic group all through the late nineteenth century. Nonetheless, the dams broke on two separate events, and the group finally light away.
With such lovely land already cultivated, the state of Michigan selected to not let it go to waste.
In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps established a crew of 300 males to construct Ludington State Park. They constructed every part that may grow to be a part of the park, together with trails, campsites, buildings, and roads.
Along with the park, additionally they planted bushes, dunes, and erosion management buildings because of the injury left by the logging group within the a long time prior.
Ludington State Park was formally devoted and open to the general public in 1936.
What to Count on When Tenting at Ludington State Park
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 2 Fall color surround a boardwalk going through the wetlands at Ludington State Park.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ludington-State-Park-MI-SS-224387416.jpg)
There may be loads to do whereas tenting at Ludington State Park. With dunes, seashores, mountain climbing, tenting, fishing, the Huge Sable Level Lighthouse, outside recreation, and even a canoe path, the entire household may have a good time!
The state park has 7 miles of seaside alongside Lake Michigan and 5 miles of seaside that borders Hamlin Lake. The seashores are excellent for sunbathing, taking part in sports activities, or simply spending time collectively as a household. Particular areas of the seashores are wheelchair accessible.
Whilst you’re there, go to the Lake Michigan Seaside Home. Inbuilt 1935, it has concessions, altering services, and interactive shows.
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 3 The Lake Michigan Beach House is a point of interest during a Ludington State Park camping trip.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ludington-State-Park-Lake-Michigan-Beach-House-SS-434300023.jpg)
Hamlin Lake is situated additional inland, so general it’s shallower and hotter than Lake Michigan. The seaside is smaller, however there’s a playground, watercraft leases, a pavilion, and picnic tables for spending all the day having fun with the solar!
One other place of curiosity is the Huge Sable Level Lighthouse. Constructed in 1867, it stands at 112 ft tall. It’s listed on each the state and nationwide historic registers. The highest of the tower has a panoramic view of the park and features a reward store and a museum.
Within the winter, take pleasure in ten miles of cross-country ski trails. There may be additionally a two-mile bicycle path obtainable to be used all year long.
Performances on the amphitheater happen at designated occasions of the 12 months.
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 4 View of the sandy beaches on Lake Michigan at Ludington State Park.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ludington-State-Park-MI-SS-1188081004.jpg)
Ludington State Park Tenting
Truthful warning: Tenting at Ludington State Park is among the hottest locations within the state! It’s best to ebook your tenting reservations at the very least six months upfront.
All three of the modernized campgrounds characteristic restrooms and electrical energy. Be aware that there isn’t any privateness between the campsites.
Beechwood Campground
This campground has 147 websites and is situated the closest to Hamlin Lake. It has entry to the Misplaced Lake Path and the Coast Guard Path. There may be additionally a boardwalk situated on the jap aspect of the campground.
Cedar Campground
Situated between the Beechwood and Pines campgrounds, this location has 106 electrical campsites and eight non-electric campsites. The Campground Host and Park Retailer are each situated close to the doorway. That is the one campground that’s open all 12 months lengthy.
Pines Campground
This campground connects to the Logging Path and Lighthouse Path. The latter mountain climbing path results in the Huge Sable Level Lighthouse. It has a complete of 99 campsites. It’s the closest campground to the country campground situated to the north.
Jack Pine Campground
This campground is taken into account rustic and is accessed as a walk-in-only campground. It has ten campsites with entry to a vault bathroom and hand pump. It’s situated one mile from the parking space, so every part wanted to your tenting journey should be carried in. This campground sits north of the Pines Campground and is one mile from the Huge Sable Lighthouse.
Mini-Cabins
Are you seeking to camp at Ludington State Park however don’t need to sleep in a tent?
There are three mini-cabins obtainable to lease, one cabin situated at every of the electrical campsites. Every cabin has one double mattress and three single beds. All of them have a microwave, fridge, and an electrical wall heater.
Exterior the cabin are a firepit, picnic desk, and cooking grill. All cabins have electrical energy.
Further Issues to Do at Ludington State Park
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 5 A view of Lake Michigan from a hiking trail in Ludington State Park.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ludington-State-Park-MI-SS-762803848.jpg)
You received’t need to solely camp at Ludington State Park! There are many different actions and enjoyable available.
Climbing
There are eight individually marked trails that complete 20 miles of mountain climbing. They lead by way of dunes, woods, and even wetlands. Deliver a superb pair of sneakers and luxuriate in a 30-minute stroll or a three-hour hike!
Fishing
Hamlin Lake and Huge Sable River are widespread locations to go fishing. Catch walleye, bass, northern pike, perch, bluegill, trout, or steelhead. And don’t miss out on the autumn Salmon run, the place the fish try to leap over the dam on their approach upstream!
Water Actions
Moreover swimming on the seaside, there are many choices for water actions whereas at Ludington State Park.
Hamlin Lake is the official boat launch space for motorized boats. There are additionally a number of entry factors alongside Hamlin Lake and Huge Sable River for kayaking or canoeing. And there’s a one-of-a-kind canoe path totaling 4 miles situated alongside Hamlin Lake.
One of the crucial widespread actions goes kayaking or tubing alongside the one mile of Huge Sable River that connects to the lakes!
Crops & Wildlife
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 6 A pair of white trumpeter swans with black bills and face coloring.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Trumpeter-swans-SS-2280557345.jpg)
The wildlife is ample at Ludington State Park! Throughout your keep, you’ll see deer, river otters, muskrats, chipmunks, and raccoons. Chook watchers will take pleasure in seeing the native waterfowl species and different birds — preserve your eye out for sightings of uncommon ones just like the trumpeter swan, Eurasian wigeon, and boulder wren!
Additionally, bear in mind that bears often make their approach into the park, so take security precautions with meals storage so that you don’t inadvertently entice a hungry one to your campsite.
Plan Your Ludington State Park Tenting Journey!
![Ludington State Park Camping Guide 7 A canoe lying on the ground near water in Ludington State Park.](https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ludington-State-Park-MI-SS-184892048.jpg)
That wraps up every part it’s worthwhile to learn about Ludington State Park tenting! This park is sizable, with heaps to do! Plan to spend a full week there to expertise all of the actions with your loved ones.
Searching for extra state parks to your tenting adventures? Take a look at our State Park Tenting guides that can assist you determine the place to go in your subsequent journey!