Ludington State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ludington State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Big Sable Point Lighthouse
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 Ludington State Park
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Lower Peninsula, Mason County, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | Ludington, Michigan |
| Area | 5,300 acres (2,100 ha) |
| Elevation | 627 feet (191 m) |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Established | 1927 |
| Administrator | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Ludington State Park |
Ludington State Park is a super cool place in Michigan where you can have tons of outdoor fun! It's located just north of Ludington, right between two big lakes: Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. This huge state park covers about 5,300 acres, which is like 4,000 football fields!
A part of the Big Sable River flows through the park for about a mile. You'll also find the famous Big Sable Point Lighthouse here. This tall lighthouse, built in 1876, stands 112 feet high and is a real landmark.
Contents
Nature and Wildlife
Ludington State Park is home to many different natural areas. These include sandy sand dunes, thick forests, and wet wetlands and marshlands. It's like several different worlds all in one park!
The park has the southern part of the Big Sable Dunes complex. This area covers about 2,820 acres of sand dunes. Right next to the park, to the north, is the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. This wilderness area protects the northern part of the same dune system.
Park History
The idea for Ludington State Park started with a group called the Isaac Walton League. They wanted to turn 800 acres of land, which the government used for a lighthouse, into a state park.
In 1927, the U.S. Congress agreed to transfer the land to the state of Michigan. This is how the park officially began! In the 1930s, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped improve the park. They built many things, including the park's beautiful beach house. This building was made in a special style called Arts and Crafts.
More recently, in 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard gave the Michigan Department of Natural Resources the 57.5-acre area around the lighthouse. This made the park even bigger!
Fun Things to Do
Ludington State Park is packed with exciting activities for everyone!
Water Fun
You can enjoy swimming and fishing in both Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. If you like a relaxing ride, try tubing down the Big Sable River.
Trails and Exploration
The park has many trails for you to explore:
- There are 21.5 miles of hiking trails, perfect for a long walk.
- In winter, 10 miles of trails are open for cross-country skiing.
- You can ride your bike on a 2-mile bicycle trail.
- There's even a 4-mile canoe trail for paddling adventures.
Camping and More
If you love camping, Ludington State Park has four campgrounds. They offer a total of 360 campsites, including some remote sites you have to hike to. The park also has a cafe where you can grab a bite. Don't forget to take a tour of the historic Big Sable Point Lighthouse! The park is also a stop on the Mason County Sculpture Trail, where you can see cool outdoor art.
