The wide "road" walking path to the lighthouse is very flat and a nice walk. Also just walking along the river from the mouth of the river at Lake Michigan back to the dam is a great walk on the path along the river. Also the the Lost Lakes trail is awesome but if you don't want a hill don't take it all the way around - start at the Hamlin Lake parking lot and go North along lake, then take the trail you come to that goes to a bridge heading out into the lake. Take this trail across the island with great views of Hamlin Lake. Once you get to the first hill you can turn around and come back the same way. From that first bridge you can continue North and a little ways further you can walk along the boardwalk. I hope that helps!!!! Its a beautiful, HUGE state park! Enjoy!

There is electric at or near the sites but water is a little walk away from the site. You will see the Blue water faucets with push knob on the side. As for washing dishes, you must take water back to your site and wash dishes there. Do not attempt to wash dishes at the faucet site or in the bathroom, that is against the rules of the park. Was there this last week. The mosquitoes were terrible. Take lots of spray with you.

The state park is only about 8 miles from downtown Ludington. Great shops, restaurants and other attractions there.

As others have said, there is plenty of parking everywhere. but the closest place for you to put your kayaks out would be at Hamlin Lake. If you would like to go down the river there are spots to park your car while you kayak down the river either to or from Lake Michigan.

You have to put in past the Dam. And it takes quite a while, DonandKim's 2.5 hrs is pretty accurate. There is almost no current (and once I saw the current moving east toward the Dam) so make sure you have paddles/oars and good tubes. You also have the option to shorten the float by starting at numerous points along the Big Sable after the Dam. Regardless, it is a great float.

If you are a Michigan resident, pay $11 for a recreation passport when you renew you MI license plates. Non-residents pay $9 for a vehicle each day or $32 for an annual pass for a vehicle. Motorcycles and mopeds cost $5. If you're going to spend some time in MI, I recommend the annual pass because there are lots of terrific state parks in both the lower and upper peninsulas.

There are SEVERAL different campground areas at Ludington. We did NOT camp there, but the facilities look modern. We have stayed at several other MI campgrounds, though, and all have been great. Tons of activities around the campground, including several bike and hiking trails, plus a sandy beach.

there is a camping area in the park . for r.v. too. look for details into the park's site

You can rent tubes at Dunegrass Concessions at Hamlin Lake. You walk over to the river and put in just beyond the dam. The time down the river varies. If you have paddles it will go faster than if you don't!! It is a pretty slow river. You empty out at Lake Michigan and someone would have to go back to Hamlin to get the car. Sometimes my son runs back or we lock a bike at the beach house on Lake Michigan and someone rides back to get the car. I would recommend water shoes of some sort. You can also bring your own tubes. I think they charge a quarter to use air at the camp store (mid river) or at Dunegrass (231-843-1888). There are plenty of places to exit early if it takes too long. Have fun!

Most people put in below the dam (west of it) on the Au Sable River a little way, where it's easy to get to the river, on the north side. They get out where the river empties into Lake Michigan. You can see where they get out as you approach the entrance to the park when you cross the river.