81°
Areas Of Smoke
0%
72
Mason County, MI · Great Lakes
Ludington State Park
8800 W M-116, Ludington, MI 49431
A 5,300-acre Michigan DNR park wedged between Lake Michigan and 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake, with 7 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, dunes, and the historic 1867 Big Sable Point Lighthouse at the end of a 1.8-mile beach walk.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
NWS alert active · 81°F air · 73°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Areas of smoke. Sunny. High near 81, with temperatures falling to around 78 in the afternoon. North wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Areas of smoke. Mostly clear. Low around 63, with temperatures rising to around 65 overnight. North northeast wind 6 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Weather
- 81°F air — ideal beach weather
- 18 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
Water
- 73°F water — swimmable, refreshing
Safety
- NWS alert active — air quality alert issued july 18 at 12:11pm edt by nws grand rapids mi
58 /100
good
44 Swim
66 Sunbathe
79 Walk
56 Fish
73 Photo
Best for walking today
Beach Hazard Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 11:19AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by waves. * WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren counties. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers.
Weather alert in effect
Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:11PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Atmosphere
Air Temp
81°F
Haze
Wind
18 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
4 Moderate
Peaks 11 AM · burn in ~50m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM
Tomorrow
79°F
Patchy Smoke then Sunny
Water
Water Temp
73°F
Swimming weather
Water Quality
Clean
4 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:19 AM
Sunset
9:24 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
79°
Patchy Smoke then Sunny
0%
85
81°
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
41%
22
80°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
20
73°
Mostly Sunny
5%
69
78°
Sunny
3%
83
80°
Chance Rain Showers
31%
66
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 18 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
11:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Major
4:20 AM - 6:20 AM
Minor
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
Major
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Multiple lots at Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake beach houses; MI Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry.
Dogs
Dogs allowed leashed (6 ft) in most park areas. Designated swim areas for dogs along Lake Michigan north of the Big Sable River. Prohibited on the main buoyed swim beaches.
Entry Fee
MI Recreation Passport: $17/year resident vehicle, $34 non-resident (2026).
Address
8800 W M-116, Ludington, MI 49431
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Ludington State Park today?
Ludington State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Ludington State Park dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed leashed (6 ft) in most park areas. Designated swim areas for dogs along Lake Michigan north of the Big Sable River. Prohibited on the main buoyed swim beaches.
Is there an entry fee at Ludington State Park?
MI Recreation Passport: $17/year resident vehicle, $34 non-resident (2026).
Are there lifeguards at Ludington State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Ludington State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Ludington State Park?
Amenities at Ludington State Park include restrooms, showers, concession, kayak/SUP rentals (Hamlin Lake), campgrounds, lighthouse, hiking trails, picnic area.
When is the water warmest at Ludington State Park?
Great Lakes water temperatures peak in late July and August at roughly 68-74°F near shore — cool compared to the ocean. Best swimming window is mid-July to late August.
Where is Ludington State Park located?
Ludington State Park is in Mason County, MI, at 8800 W M-116, Ludington, MI 49431.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS