The numerous trails that wind their way through the Ludington State Park are as varied as they are beautiful. A description of each trail follows, giving visitors a choice--from a short 30 minute hike to a more leisurely 3 hour walk. The trails offer historical facts and bring the natural beauty of the park in full view. The walking times listed are approximate, and depend upon your fitness level and preferred pace. Get your Ludington State Park Trail Map (Printable Adobe PDF) here.

Coast Guard Trail:
1.5 miles long, 1 hour walking time
This trail winds through the wooded dunes from the Lake Michigan beach to the Beechwood Campground. It’s the most popular trail among campers, since it links all three campgrounds together. On your hike, you’ll see the historic site of one of the earliest Life Saving Stations on Lake Michigan. Also featured are marshes, wildlife living in and near them, and acres of blown down forest, due to storms.

Lighthouse Trail:
4 miles long, 3 hours walking time
The Lighthouse Trail winds over and through open and wood sand dunes. At one end is the Beechwood Campground and the other end is the Pines Campground. Halfway down from each end sets the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, built in 1867. The lighthouse is open daily May through October for visitors to tour and climb the tower. The trail’s natural features are the drastically different environments found within the sand dunes, which gives you a sense of being small among the rolling dunes.

Logging Trail:
3 miles long, 2.5 hours walking time
The Logging Trail meanders through the wooded sand dune valleys, giving you plenty of shade on a hot summer day. This historic trail loops around, beginning and ending at the north end of the Pines Campground. The trail continues through a deciduous forest that has replaced the white pine forest, cut down over 150 years ago. The 2 trail shelters were built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp Camp that was located where the Hamlin Beach is today. In the winter, this trail is a popular groomed cross country ski trail.

Ridge Trail and Island Trail:
4 miles, 3 hours walking time
The Ridge Trail and Island Trail make an ideal hiking loop for a diverse view of nature. The Ridge Trail begins off the paved walkway, just east of Park Headquarters. The Island Trail begins at the Hamlin Lake boat rental area. Both trails come together to complete a loop about 2 miles out. The Ridge Trail follows the top of a tall wooded sand dune, stretching for miles. Vistas are numerous and inspiring. The Island Trail follows the beautiful sandy shoreline of Hamlin Lake. All kinds of aquatic creatures and birds are seen along this shoreline. Take a picnic, because there is a lovely historic shelter overlooking the vast open sand dunes and Hamlin Lake.

Sable River Trail:
1 mile, 30 minutes walking time
The Sable River Trail has been improved over the last few years to accommodate people in wheelchairs to access the Hamlin Dam and Big Sable River. This is a relaxing walk on the dam and along the river boardwalks and paved pathway. Interpretive panels along the walk point out important historic sites and changes over the last 200 years. Fishing is very good near the dam and on the river, especially when the fall salmon run begins. In the winter, the river and dam area comes alive with migratory waterfowl and playful river otters. If you’re lucky, you may see a Bald Eagle swoop down to pluck a fish from the river.

Lost Lake Trail:
1.5 miles, 1 hour walking time
The Lost Lake Trail circles this little watery cove off Hamlin Lake. The trail loops around, beginning and ending near the Hamlin Lake Beach House.

The west side of this trail shares itself with the Island Trail and snakes through a series of small islands connected by foot bridges. The north end of the trail winds through a wooded sand dune ridge overlooking a picturesque Lost Lake. The east side of the trail follows the shoreline, exposing the natural animals and plants living near the shore. An extensive boardwalk extends over the lake near the Beechwood Campground, giving hikers a unique feeling of being out on the water. Deer, muskrats, river otters, large waterfowl, turtles and song birds populate this area and are easily viewed.

Skyline Trail:
.5 mile, 30 minutes walking time
The Skyline Trail runs along a tall sand dune ridge, close to the river and the park’s Great Lakes Visitor Center. The trail loops around, beginning and ending at the Visitor Center’s parking lot. This trail is completely elevated, made even higher by an extensive wooden boardwalk system. Several vistas let you look out over miles of sand dunes and Lake Michigan. On a clear day, you can see 20 miles to the Silver Lake State Park Sand Dunes. On the back side is an area where you can leave the boardwalk and run up and down the steep slope of this sand dune.

South End Ski Trails:
6 miles, 3 hours walking time
The Ski Trails of the south end of the park are actually 4 looped trails tied together. The main entrance to the trails is at the north end, off the Visitor Center’s roadway. The trails weave through the sand dune valleys of thick jack pines and wetlands. The protection from the blistering winter winds in these valleys provides a perfect venue for cross country skiers. In the summertime, extreme dry, hot temperatures requires hikers to take plenty of water and sun block. Wildlife thrives in these valleys, using the wetlands and shrubby pines for shelter and food.

Canoe Trail:
2-4 hours, depending on skill level
The Canoe Pathway begins and ends at the Hamlin canoe livery concession near the swimming beach. From there, you cross the river and head into Hamlin Lake. As you travel close to the south shore, you’ll enjoy a variety of landscapes, from swampy area filled with reeds and cattails, to the “Carp Ponds”, named for the many carp that spawn there in the spring. Within the marshlands along the trail is an excellent habitat for duck, geese, herons and others. Near the beginning of the trail you’ll encounter two large, sandy hills, known as Desperation Point. Local sailors gave it this name because of the unpredictable shifting winds found there. The trail is not demanding for a canoeist with minimal experience, but care should be taken to avoid various submerged tree stumps.

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
Winter Events
Snowshoe Making Classes
Guided Snowshoe Walks
Summer Programs
Great Lakes Visitor Center
Big Sable Point Lighthouse