Home
June 2009
Three Ways to Explore the Ludington State Park

Three Ways to Explore the Ludington State Park

You can't go wrong whether you wander the moss-covered Island Trail, take the short hike to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse or paddle the canoe trail.

Jul 14, 2009

They don’t call Ludington State Park (231-843-2423, michigandnr.com/parksandtrails) the Queen for nothing. The 5,300-acre dune, forest and water wonderland reigns supreme in the state park system for its abundant wildlife, diverse landscape and sheer majesty. You can experience her grace countless ways, but these three gems are must-do’s:

Meander the Island Trail, a boardwalk path that links tiny moss-carpeted islands of hemlock and oak as it skirts between sleepy Lost Lake and Hamlin Lake.
Hike the 1.5-mile Lighthouse Trail to the 1867-built Big Sable Point Lighthouse, a black-and-white classic perched amid Lake Michigan’s dune-swept shore and open for daily tours between May and October (231-845-7343, BIGSABLELIGHTHOUSE.ORG).
Paddle the park’s one-of-a-kind canoe trail to explore the hushed hide-aways of Hamlin’s bayous and inlets.

QUICK LINKS TO MORE FUN IN BENZIE COUNTY AND NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S WEST SHORE!

The Benzie & West Shore Vacation Directory: Listings to lodging, galleries, restaurants and more along with an interactive map.
Benzie & West Shore Digital Vacation Guide: Browse the pages of the complete Guide and click to hundreds of websites.
The Complete Restaurant Guide for Benzie and the West Shore: Just type in any Benzie County town or town on Northern Michigan's West Shore and browse the array of restaurant options.
Video: Discover Pt. Betsie Lighthouse
Check out all the music, festivals, arts and events of all kinds happening in Benzie and the West Shore: Just pop the name of the Benzie County town you'd like to play in, or one along the West Shore of Northern Michigan, and choose amongst hundreds of things to do!
Plot your day in Benzie, Manistee, Ludington and more using this Interactive Map: Choose an activity in "I'd like to find" and choose a Benzie, Manistee or West Shore town for "in a town near." Then click away!
Rent a cottage in Benzie and the West Shore: There hundreds of cottages to rent in Northern Michigan. Type the town you're interested in into the Search box and plan your getaway Up North!