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Submission
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
Follow US 10 west through the city of Ludington to Lakeshore Drive (M-116). Follow North 8 miles to the park. Located 100 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, 60 miles north of Muskegon.
The trail we took along the shoreline was gorgeous and easy enough for my 3 grandkids to do without much complaining. I loved walking through the trees and then getting a glimpse of the lake.
One of my favorite state parks in Michigan! We try to go here at least once every couple of years. This park has multiple Lake Michigan beaches, as well as a warmer beach on Hamlin Lake. Great campgrounds, multiple hiking trails, and miles of dunes. You can also kayak or tube down the Big Sable River.
I have been camping in many Michigan State Parks and this is definitely one of the best. It can be difficult to book a campsite here, but it is definitely worth it! I have stayed at the Pines campground for the last two years. The northern campsites here tend to be a bit more open and less noisy in the evening hours. There is very limited cell service in this campground, but it makes for a very relaxing camping experience. You are able to get cell service in some campsites in the Beechwood campground. This is mostly along the lake, I believe. The campgrounds themselves have plenty of trees, shade, and wildlife. The bathrooms are cleaned daily and do not seem too unpleasant. The Cedar campground has a campground store in it where you can purchase firewood, ice, and other essentials. There is also a small ice cream shop here as well! The main beach is very spacious and has a beach shack where you can buy ice cream and snacks. It also has a dog friendly portion on the beach. I take my dog camping every year and it is extremely important that I go somewhere that is dog friendly. This campground definitely has many options for families with dogs. There are plenty of trails such as the path to the Big Sable lighthouse, the river walks, and trails around Hamlin and Lost Lake. I rented a paddle boat at the Hamlin Lake beach shack and was able to take my dog out on the boat as well. I highly recommend trying out this campground!
