It's true—no matter where you are in the Ludington area, you're just minutes from one of our beautiful beaches. If your idea of a perfect summer day is swimming, sunning, or people-watching, then you've discovered paradise.

Stearns Park Beach at the end of Ludington Avenue boasts 2,500 feet of sandy shoreline and a large, grassy area with abundant picnic tables and grills. Features include the North Breakwater Lighthouse, miniature golf course, shuffleboard, playground and skate park. Concessions and restrooms are open daily in the summer.

Explore the sugar sand shoreline at the Ludington State Park Beach just north of town. Nearly seven miles long, a portion of this beach is outside the gate, so no permit is needed. Within the park are the warm, shallow waters of Hamlin Lake Beach. For your convenience, playgrounds, concession stands and restroom facilities are available at both beaches.

All along the lakeshore, you’ll find safe public beaches including the Charles Mears Beach in Pentwater and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Mears.

Located high on a bluff between Lake Michigan and Pere Marquette Lake, Buttersville Park has perhaps the greatest view of all the parks. Located off south Lakeshore Drive, you’ll find a picnic area with grills, playground, restrooms, and a pavilion. Steps lead down to the expansive Lake Michigan beach, with a view of the North Breakwater Lighthouse in the distance.

Named after a longtime city commissioner, Copeyon Park is located on south Washington Avenue, just past the bridge. Situated on the east shore of Pere Marquette Lake, Copeyon Park offers picnic tables (including an area with windscreens facing the lake), grills, playground, and a launching site. This is a nice park for viewing the Port of Ludington, and a good spot for fishing.

Known as the most popular state park in Michigan,The Ludington State Park
offers abundant natural resources and endless activities. Tube down the Sable River, walk across the Hamlin Dam, and visit the Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

Right on Ludington Avenue between Lewis and Gaylord Streets is the Ludington City Park. Within this shady, grassy area are benches, picnic tables, the Kiwanis Band Shell and restrooms. In the summertime, Art Fairs and Movies in the Park are held here.

At the corner of North Washington and Sherman within Ludington's city limits, you'll find the very pretty Memorial Tree Park, featuring benches that overlook Lincoln Lake. Nestled among the trees, you can enjoy a meal or snack at one of the picnic tables and kids can play on the swings.

If you're looking for a great view, visit Summit Park on South Lakeshore Drive, past the Ludington Pumped Storage Project. This park has picnic tables that overlook Lake Michigan, grills, and beach access.

Just off Old US-31, Sutton's Landing is a charming park along the Pere Marquette River. A unique feature of this park is the handicapped accessible riverwalk, with a wooden ramp that leads down to the river, perfect for fishing or launching a canoe.

Waterfront Park, between the two downtown marinas, boasts paved walkways, pristine landscaping, a great playground—plus tables and benches throughout. An amphitheater provides a nice place for summer concerts, with restrooms in the back.

On Lower Hamlin Lake, South Bayou Park is close to many resorts, and has picnic tables, swings, and a boat launch. Head to South Bayou Park with a cup of coffee and watch the gorgeous sunrise over Hamlin Lake.

There are two parks on Upper Hamlin Lake. Victory Township Park features picnic tables, grills, and a pavilion. A nice feature of this park is the fact it is right on the water, so you can sit by the lake's edge and soak in the beautiful scenery. Wilson Hill Park on Barnhart Road is quite the popular place. You can enjoy a picnic at one of the tables under a covered pavilion, grills are available for use, plus there’s a playground and boat launch.

Scottville Riverside Park is unique for its location—30 acres along the Pere Marquette River. In addition to camping, this park offers picnic tables, grills, a shelter with stone fireplace, and a playground. This beautiful park is the venue for many summer activities, such as the West Michigan Old Engine Club Tractor Pull and the annual Rubber Duck Race.