Photo by Steve Begnoche/American Coot Photography

Summer Events at Ludington State Park

There’s always something interesting going on at the Ludington State Park during the summer. A variety of special summer programs are offered that are both educational and fun. Most programs are suitable for all ages, so bring the entire family and enjoy!

Dune Grass Concessions

Ludington State Park Summer Weekly Programs From June-September

Summer Guest Presenters at the Ludington State Park from June-August

There’s no better place to be in the summer than at the Ludington State Park. In addition to camping, tubing, hiking, biking, and fishing- the State Park offers special summer programs that are both educational and fun. Don’t miss the unique experience of enjoying an evening of live music in the open-air amphitheater surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ludington State Park. You may even see wildlife come close to listen as well. These events are made possible through money raised by The Friends of the Ludington State Park.

Programs are held in the State Park Amphitheater or the Lake Michigan Beach House. Updates are posted on Bulletin Boards located throughout the State Park.

Here’s Schedule of Guest Performers & Presenters for 2022:

  • Wednesday, June 15th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Rupert Wates at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, June 18th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Sheri & Wyatt Knapp at the Amphitheater
  • Wednesday, June 22nd 7-8pm – Birds of Prey Live Bird Program at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, June 25th, 2-5pm – Michigan Reptiles & Amphibians Program at the Beach House
  • Wednesday, June 29th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Dave Martin & Band at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, July 2nd, 7-8pm – Live Music by Awesome Distraction at the Amphitheater
  • Wednesday, July 6th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Lee Murdock at the Beach House
  • Saturday, July 9th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Hicks with Picks at the Amphitheater
  • Wednesday, July 13th, 7-8pm – Music by Road Less Traveled at the Amphitheater
  • Wednesday, July 16th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Chloe Kimes & Band at the Beach House
  • Wednesday, July 20th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Canopy Space at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, July 23rd, 7-8pm – Live Music by PlainJaneGlory & Boyer at the Amphitheater
  • Wednesday, July 27th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Adam Plomaritas at the Beach House
  • Saturday, July 30th, 7-8pm – Birds of Prey Live Bird Program at the Amphitheater
  • Wednesday, August 3rd, 7-8pm – Live Music by Chris Vallillo at the Beach House
  • Friday, August 5th-Saturday, August 27th – Celebrating the Ludington State Park Art Exhibit at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts
  • Saturday, August 6th, 7-8pm – Skipski Magic Show at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, August 13th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Uneven Ground at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, August 20th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Mike Lenich at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, August 27th, 7-8pm – Live Music by Salt City Dixie Jazz Band at the Amphitheater
  • Saturday, September 3rd, 7-8pm – Live Music by Tim Grimm at the Beach House
The Big Sable River flows into Lake Michigan during a colorful sunset at Ludington State Park. | Todd & Brad Reed Photography

Below are weekly programs that have previously been scheduled:

Stay tuned as we update this information as it becomes available.

Thursday

Park History Walk, 10am, Hamlin Dam.
Michigan Mammals, 2-4pm, Lake Michigan Beach House.

Friday

Invasion of the Water Aliens, 2-4pm, Lake Michigan Beach House.
Arrows Away, 6-8pm, Archery Range behind Amphitheater.

Saturday

Craft Adventure, 10am, Cedar Campground Host Site.
Live Michigan Reptiles, 3-5pm, Lake Michigan Beach House.
Live Snakes Presentation, 7pm, Amphitheater.

Sunday

Michigan Sand and its Dunes, 2-4pm, Lake Michigan Beach House.
Tour Through the Night Sky, sunset, Lake Michigan Beach House.

Ongoing Programs Throughout the Year

“Arrows Away”
Spring, Summer, Fall. 2 hrs, at Archery Range near Amphitheater.
Taught by certified USA Archery Instructors. Designed for beginners and families. This activity is recommended for ages 7 years old and up, and participants 15 and younger should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Safety is emphasized around the range at all times.

“Hook, Line, and Sinker”
Spring, Summer, Fall. 90 minutes, at Hamlin Dam.
This is a “learn to fish” children’s program, where participants will experience the fun of fishing through games and fishing in the river. Parents are required to accompany their child. Near the end of the program there is a fun fishing tournament to see you can catch the most Round Head Gobies, which is an invasive aquatic species that hurts the native fish population. Fishing equipment is provided free of charge, but for those 17 and older, you must have a fishing license, which can be purchased at one of the many sporting goods stores in Ludington.

“Lost Lake Canoe and Kayak Tour”
Summer. 2 hrs, at the Hamlin Beach House.
Join park staff for a fun guided boat tour through Lost Lake and along the Hamlin Lake shoreline. Hear about and see the unique features of these two inland lakes. Children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bring your own canoe/kayak or rent one from the Park Concessions. Rental boats are limited so reserve yours ahead of time.

“Exploring the Dunes”
Spring, Summer, Fall. 1 hr, Lake Michigan Beach House
Take a fun guided walk through the sand dunes to see and learn about this fragile environment. Experience the diverse and unique plant life and the ways animals adapt to this harsh environment. Discover the threats occurring in the sand dunes. This walk is mostly off-trail and can be strenuous.

“Night Sky Tour”
Spring, Summer, Fall. 2 hrs, begins at sunset, Lake Michigan Beach House.
While enjoying a beautiful sunset at the beach you can listen to the presenter prepare you for an interesting tour of the starry night sky. You’ll learn fun facts and tips as they lead you through the stars, planets and constellations. If conditions are good, telescopes are brought out for you to get an up-close view of heavenly objects.

“Michigan Geological History, the Proof is in the Rocks”
Spring, Summer, Fall. 1 hr, Warming Shelter.
Come join the fun as you discover the answers to previous life in the park. The answers are hidden in the rocks!

“Who Lives in the Forest & Where are the Trees Going?”
Year-round. 90 minutes, Warming Shelter.
This program takes you out into the forest dune lands to discover what is living out there and how the forest provides for their survival. You also get to see what good and bad changes have occurred among the trees as invasive species continue to attack the forest. It’s a relaxing hike under nature’s canopy!

“Park’s History, Walking Tour”
Summer, Fall. 90 minutes, Hamlin Dam or Lake Michigan Beach House.
Take a walk through Ludington State Park’s history as you explore the park for evidence of past eras. Your guide takes you to the 165 year old Logging Era ruins and cemetery; site of one of the earliest Life Saving Stations on Lake Michigan; an actual shipwreck on the shoreline; a “Pork Barrel” structure paid for by federal tax payer funds in 1912; and historic structures still being used from the earliest days of the building of Ludington State Park.

“Salmon Are Running”
Fall. 1 hr, Hamlin Dam.
Every year hundreds of adult Chinook salmon leave Lake Michigan to run up the rivers that feed into Lake Michigan. From mid-September through October, these salmon make the journey to spawn in the rivers. You will leave with a better understanding of how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages our water ways for a healthier aquatic environment.

“Autumn Color Hike”
Fall. 1 hr, Hamlin Dam.
Ludington State Park and along the Big Sable River host a spectacular rainbow of colors from late September through October. Join the park interpreter on a relaxing walk along the river to view and learn about this natural exhibit of colors. You’ll also learn about how the animals are getting ready for the cold winter months ahead.

“Guided Nature Walk on Snowshoes”
Winter. 90 minutes, Warming Shelter.
Snowshoeing is a fun activity, and the Park staff will lead you through an enjoyable guided nature work within the Ludington State Park. If you don’t own a pair, the Park lends out 50 pairs of snowshoes. Walks are held on Saturdays in January and February. No reservations are necessary but please call ahead for snow conditions.

Online Programming

The Friends of Ludington State Park are again offering their online educational programs. All programs are offered at no cost to participants through Zoom. To receive the link to the one-hour programs or to view upcoming events, register online at friendsofludingtonstatepark.org/upcomingevents.

For more information on programs and events at the Ludington State Park:

Camping Reservations (Michigan DNR): (800) 447-2757 or Ludington State Park Michigan DNR Reservations
Ludington State Park Local Office: (231) 843-2423
Concessions & Watercraft Rental: (231) 843-1888
Snowshoe Class Reservations/Special Programs: (231) 843-9261

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