There's no better place to be in the summer than at the Ludington State Park. In addition to camping, tubing, hiking, biking, and fishing--the State Park offers special summer programs that are both educational and fun.

Below is a list of weekly programs that are being offered in 2010:

Coffee with the Manager
Wednesday mornings at 10am
Meet at the Cedar Campground Host Campsite (across from the store). Have a question, or just want to learn what is new in the park? Here's your opportunity to visit with the Park Manager, Supervisor, and Interpreter. The park host will have a fresh brew of coffee waiting for you. They will show you plans for the new Visitor Center.

S.S. Badger Sunset Watch
Friday evenings at 8pm (1 hour)
Join us at the Lake Michigan Beach House on the lake side to watch the S.S. Badger carferry as it steams out of Ludington and into the sunset. An employee from the Badger will share his knowledge of this big ship, which is part of our long and colorful Great Lakes maritime history. Bring a chair or blanket. You’ll get the bonus of watching the sunset.

A Trip Through the Night Sky
Friday evenings at 9pm (2 hours)
Meet at the Lake Michigan Beach House on the lake side. As the S.S. Badger and sun disappear over the lake’s horizon, join us for a tour around the star filled night sky. We’ll show you how easy it is to find specific stars, planets, and constellations. New this year will be a public viewing through our telescopes. Bring a chair or blanket, jacket, and flashlight.

Walking History Tour
Saturday mornings at 10am
Meet at the Hamlin Dam. Join us as we visit some historic areas within Ludington State Park: the ghost town of Hamlin, the 150 year old dam and mill ruins, the 1930’s great depression era C.C.C. Camp, a very old cemetery, the Port of Hamlin shipping piers, the historic Lake Michigan Beach House, the 1852 shipwreck, site of the Life Saving Station, and the lost river.

Biweekly Programs

Lost Lake Canoe Tour
Wednesday evenings at 7pm on June 30, July 14, 28, August 11, 25
At the Hamlin Lake Beach House. Discover Lost Lake and Hamlin Lake from the water. Join one of the park guides for this fun and relaxing canoe tour. This guided tour will last 2 hours and does not require any canoeing experience. No reservations required, but if you need to rent a canoe we recommend an advance canoe rental through the Cedar Campground Store or bring your own. An adult must accompany all children 16 years old and younger.

Kite Making for Everyone
Monday evenings at 7pm on June 28, July 12, 26, August 9, 23
At the Lake Michigan Beach House. The Casters, owners of the world famous "Air Kite Store" from Pentwater will help children and adults make a free kite from everyday common materials. Once you have made a kite, you can join the other kite makers by flying your kite on the beach. We ask that an adult accompany the children because your help is needed when making a kite. One kite per person due to limited materials.

Skins and Skulls
Monday evenings at 7pm on June 21, July 5, 19, August 2, 16
At the Amphitheater. Through the years the park has gathered a collection of real animal parts found throughout the State of Michigan. Using these treated animal parts, mainly skulls, fur and bones, we can show you first-hand the unique features of many of our state's animals. This is your chance to see some of these animals up close and even touch them which you could not do when they were living, breathing wild animals.

Special June Programs
9-"Music, Magic, and Stories" with John Marek at the Amphitheater.
17-"Original Americana" with March Lenich, 7pm, Amphitheater.
22-"Marek's Music Makers," 7pm, Amphitheater.
24-"The Salt City Dixie Jazz Band, 7pm, Amphitheater.

Special July Programs
3-"The Storytelling Tales...Foolish Boys, Maybe," 7pm, Amphitheater.
7-"Music, Magic, and Stories" at the Amphitheater.
8-"Old Songs and New People, American Folksongs for a Summer's Evening," 7pm, Amphitheater.
13, 22-"Live Birds of Prey," 7pm.
15-"Tall Ships and Sailors on Lake Michigan, Then and Now!" 7pm, Amphitheater.
20-"Markek's Music Makers," 7pm, Amphitheater.
21-"Midwest History through Historic Songs," 7pm, Amphitheater.
25-"Flintknappers Demonstration Day," 10am-3pm, Warming Shelter.
29-"Dulcimers Evening Music Concert," 7pm, Amphitheater.
31-"The Doggone Cowboys," 7pm.

Special August Programs
3-"Live Birds of Prey," 7pm.
5-"Dulcimers Evening Music Concert," 7pm, Amphitheater.
12-"The Salt City Dixie Jazz Band," 7pm, Amphitheater.
19-"The Shoreliners," 7pm, Amphitheater.
21-"The Doggone Cowboys," 7pm, Amphitheater.
26-"Original Americana," 7pm,


Ludington State Park Contact Info
Camping Reservations (Michigan DNR) (800) 447-2757 or click here for Ludington State Park campground reservations
Ludington State Park Local Office/Special Programs (231) 843-2423
Cedar Camp Store (watercraft rental) (231) 845-8582
Snowshoe Class Reservations (231) 843-9261

For more information about the Ludington State Park, follow the links below:
Weekly Programs
Trail Guide
Winter Events
Snowshoe Making Classes
Guided Snowshoe Walks
Great Lakes Visitor Center
Big Sable Point Lighthouse