Ludington State Park runs three campgrounds — Beechwood, Cedar, and Pines — totaling more than 350 modern sites, and it's consistently one of the hardest Michigan state parks to book. Which loop is right for you depends on whether you want Hamlin Lake, the park store, or the trail out to the lighthouse.
The Three Campgrounds
Electric sites (some 50-amp), a playground, boardwalk, and a mini-cabin. Sites in the 170–185 range are the most requested — book those as early as your window allows.
The only campground open year-round, with the park store and a mini-cabin. A good middle-ground pick if Beechwood and Pines are both full.
Access to the Logging Trail and the Lighthouse Trail out to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. This is the loop to target if being near Lake Michigan matters more than Hamlin Lake.
Want the beach and a playground close by? Beechwood.
Want flexibility, the park store, or a shot at booking last-minute (it's the only year-round campground)? Cedar.
Want to be closest to Lake Michigan and the lighthouse trail? Pines.
Booking Strategy
Ludington fills up fast — often within minutes once a date opens on the five-month MiDNRReservations.com window, especially for summer weekends and the popular Beechwood 170–185 sites. A few ways to improve your odds:
- Be logged in and ready the moment your target date's five-month window opens
- If your first-choice loop is full, book Cedar as a backup — it's centrally located and easiest to get into last-minute
- Watch for cancellations. Ludington is one of the parks we track most closely for exactly this reason — see how DNR cancellations work
- Consider a shoulder-season trip; Cedar's year-round availability makes fall and spring far easier to book than midsummer
If your dates are locked in and the site you want is showing full, set an alert below and we'll text you the moment it opens up.