Ludington State Park

Seems like it's referred to as the 'golden child' of state parks, and rightly so.  It is so big and offers so much to do.  I almost didn't blog this, as I only stayed 1 night and didn't feel like I could adequately cover it.  

😊 = Good
😐 = Okay
😞 = Lousy

Beach/Swimming  😊 = Good

The beach is downright amazing, with miles and miles of sandy beach.  They also have a super cool looking beach house with concessions, bathrooms, and even an interpretive center.  Even better is to park along the stretch when you enter the park, then you have a private beach for yourself.  

(if you zoom in you will see the beach house)

Campsites  😐 = Okay

There are 3 campgrounds in the park, some have fantastic sites and some don't. With about 350 sites, you have a wide variety to choose from. 

Bathrooms 

I'm going to refrain from rating this, since there are 6 bath houses in the park, and I don't think that rating just one is fair.  The one I did use was fine.  

Playground  😊 = Good

This playground is in Cedar Campground

This one is being built in Beechwood Campground

Dog Beach 😞 = Lousy

Animals are not allowed on the beaches in Ludington State Park.

Worst thing about this park:

Trying to get a campsite.  With almost 900,000 visitors annually (most are just daytime users), it's tough to even get a reservation.    

Best thing about this park:

There is so much to do here, with a nice variety.  

What else is there to do:

Hike the Skyline Trail, or any of the other 18 miles of hiking trails

Tube or canoe down the Big Sable River

Bike out to the lighthouse

Great camp store in Cedar Campground

Fish in Hamlin Lake 

The Hamlin Dam

And then there is also the cool town of Ludington to explore.  

Want more information?

http://www.visitludington.com/

Want to camp here?

https://www.midnrreservations.com/

Port Crescent State Park

The tip of the thumb right on Lake Huron.  My thoughts on this park are mixed.  

😊 = Good
😐 = Okay
😞 = Lousy

Beach/Swimming  😊 = Good

Great beach.  Super sandy and nice water.  

Campsites  😐 = Okay

Sites on the water are great, sites along the highway are loud.  This was the view from my campsite:

Bathrooms  😞 = Lousy

Arguably the worst bathrooms in a state park I have seen so far.  Two buildings, this one is super old.  The plumbing is bad and they are dirty.  This one was missing the drain in the floor so they nailed a piece of wood over it.  The newer building I had hopes for, but it had a terrible stench.  Plus it also needed some cleaning.    

A toe stubber...

 

Playground  😊 = Good

Nice playground in a huge sandy area.  

Check out these cute kids!

Dog Beach 😞 = Lousy

None.  There used to be a dog beach at the very end of the park, but it is no longer there.  Taffy was sad.  

Worst thing about this park:

It was dirty.  Not only the bathrooms, but there seemed to be litter throughout the park.  Plastic water bottles on the beach and little bits of trash on the campsites.  

On a side note, to be honest I didn't enjoy driving through miles and miles of windmills to get there.  Spread across flat farmland it looked like some kind of dystopian movie set. 

 

Best thing about this park:

If you include the day park, Port Crescent has 3 miles of super sandy beach.  Plus it's one of the few parks on Lake Huron where you can see a sunset. 

I loved hearing this guy play guitar at the campfire! 

What else is there to do:

You can canoe or kayak the Pinnebog.  It ends at Lake Huron and you have a great beach to play at before you turn around and head back.  

There is a cool putt putt golf and ice cream place not far from the park.

Want more information?

http://99wfmk.com/portcrescentmichigan/

Want to camp there?

https://www.midnrreservations.com/PortCrescentStatePark?Map

Young State Park

A little bit of everything at this park, right on beautiful Lake Charlevoix near Boyne City.  Overall I would recommend this campground for anyone looking for a classic camping experience in Northern Michigan.   


😊 = Good
😐 = Okay
😞 = Lousy

Bathrooms  😐 = Okay

There are 4 restrooms in the park.  3 of them are a little old school like this one, and the one in Oak campground is new.  Good water pressure and hot water, just run down and older.  

  

Playground  😊 = Good

Nice playground plus random swing sets throughout the park. 

Beach/Swimming  😊 = Good

Great sand and Lake Michigan water, it flows into Lake Charlevoix and warms up nicely.  You can rent paddle boards, beach umbrellas and various floaties at the park store on the beach. 

Dog Beach  😊 = Good

A nice dog run along a trail, and the beach next to it.  (Not sure what was going on with the rock line up...)

Worst thing about this park:  

The majority of the sites in this park are so far away from the lake you have no idea you are even camping near one.  

Best thing about this park:

Some sites have great views of Lake Charlevoix.  This was my view.  

This photo was taken before I lost my shoe.  I looked everywhere for it, but ended up leaving without it.  Then, miracle of miracles, a friend from Frankenmuth found it!  Dawn and her daughter Rachel were camping there with Sue and her daughter Julia (good thing we brought Kern's brats!).  They brought it home to me!  Next to their campsite was another Frankenmuth celebrity, Officer Daugharty and his wife Linda.   

What else is there to do:

Hike Mt. Avalanche in Boyne City.  Awesome view of the lake from the top.  My friend Rebecca showed me this cool place.    

Lots of hiking trails within the park as well.  

There is a fishing pond with a nice dock to fish from.

Park store with snacks, ice cream, souvenirs and beach stuff.  

Good boating with a boat launch in the park

Fantastic Bike Trail into Boyne City.  Rumour has it the trail will extend from Boyne City to Charlevoix when it's complete.  

  

Want more information?
https://www.michigan.org/property/young-state-park

Want to camp there?

https://www.midnrreservations.com/YOUNGSTATEPARK