Sunset Beach Bonfires at Stearns Park
Enjoy the warmth of a bonfire on the beach! The Ludington Fire Department mans the fire while you enjoy the sunset.
Photo by: Todd & Brad Reed Photography
Head to Ludington’s Stearns Park Beach for a special Sunset Bonfire! These Sunset Bonfires are FREE and open to the public, and include live music by local and regional talent.
On the 4th Thursday of each month (June-August), bring your blanket or beach chair to the south end of Stearns Beach from 8-10pm and enjoy a huge bonfire while listening to some great music.
Who doesn’t enjoy a bonfire during the summer? Add Lake Michigan, the beach, and the gorgeous Ludington sunsets, and you’ve got absolutely the best setting. This event is sponsored by the Ludington Area CVB.
Stearns Beach (at Stearns Park) is the city’s largest beach, with 2,500 feet of sandy shoreline. There is plenty of FREE parking. Much of the angled parking at Stearns Beach looks out over Lake Michigan, ideal for sitting in your vehicle for a front row seat to one of Ludington’s spectacular sunsets. Concession stands are found at both the north and south ends of Stearns Park, providing food, beverages, restroom facilities here, and drinking fountains. Across from the beach and Stearns Drive is a large, grassy area with picnic tables and grills.
At the south end of Stearns Park, you will find access to the half-mile long pier which takes you to Ludington’s North Breakwater Lighthouse. The south end of Stearns Park also features a Skate Plaza, shuffleboard courts, beach volleyball, the Jaycees Mini Golf Course, concession stand, a beach playground and an accessible walkway down to the shoreline.
The north end of Stearns Park has an accessible walkway that has been constructed by the north concession stand. The walkway provides the handicapped with access down to the water from the parking lot.
After passing through downtown Ludington toward Lake Michigan, continue to follow Ludington Avenue to nearly the end, where you will turn right on to North Lakeshore Drive. Approximately four blocks north, you’ll find the entrance to Stearns Park Beach on your left.
Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
119 S. Rath Ave., Ludington, MI 49431
(800) 542-4600
Enjoy the warmth of a bonfire on the beach! The Ludington Fire Department mans the fire while you enjoy the sunset.
Enjoy a variety of shoreline cruises with various themes on the S.S. Badger Carferry in both Ludington and Manitowoc.
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
August in Ludington means free movies, on three Thursday nights at dusk in Ludington’s Rotary Park (formerly City Park).
Ludington is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
Ludington hosts many events and activities that are geared toward kids and families, that’s part of what makes the area so great!
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
Everyone enjoys a good play or concert, and Ludington blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us all year ’round.
Every year, local organizations offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
There are activities going on in the Ludington area to keep everyone happy all year long. Longstanding events make Ludington special.

The Father Jacques Marquette Shrine marks where Father Marquette died in 1675. It’s a peaceful setting on Pere Marquette Lake in Ludington.

Disc golf is a big deal here in the Ludington area, with up to 20,000 people per year visiting one of our six courses.

Ludington’s natural resources, charter captains, and outfitters provide great salmon fishing on Lake Michigan and the Pere Marquette River.

The bronzed sculptures in Ludington’s 5-acre Waterfront Park sets it apart from other parks. The park is situated on the Lake Michigan inlet.

The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) is the gathering place for community expression through arts and cultural experiences.

Long Skinny Park is located on Lower Hamlin Lake between the South and Middle bayous. Perfect for fishing or taking in the view.