69°
Partly Sunny
0%
63
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.
56°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 65 in the afternoon. South wind around 9 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 6 to 9 mph.
Weather
- 69°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 56°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
58 /100
good
42 Swim
69 Sunbathe
80 Walk
66 Fish
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
69°F
Clear
Wind
9 mph
S
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–04 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
74°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
56°F
Cold
Water Quality
Clean
4 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 9mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:05 AM
Sunset
9:23 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
74°
Mostly Sunny
0%
71
69°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
86%
7
69°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
50%
17
74°
Mostly Sunny
2%
71
81°
Sunny
3%
71
82°
Mostly Sunny
13%
71
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 56°F — dangerously cold
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
11:30 PM - 12:30 AM
Major
3:10 AM - 5:10 AM
Minor
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Major
3:30 PM - 5:30 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
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Ludington State Park.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Ludington State Park from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
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