83°
Sunny
1%
80
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
Ideal for a beach walk.
83°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 81 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear. Low around 71, with temperatures rising to around 73 overnight. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Weather
- 83°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 65°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
77 /100
great
70 Swim
82 Sunbathe
87 Walk
86 Fish
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
83°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 9 mph
SW
Rain
1%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 12 PM–04 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
85°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
65°F
Refreshing
Water Quality
Clean
4 cfu/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:14 AM
Sunset
9:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
85°
Sunny
14%
76
87°
Sunny
0%
76
85°
Sunny
0%
77
83°
Mostly Sunny
6%
80
82°
Chance Rain Showers
35%
59
82°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
24%
63
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 65°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.
Major
10:40 PM - 12:40 AM
Minor
3:20 AM - 4:20 AM
Major
11:10 AM - 1:10 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