About Port Crescent State Park
Port Crescent State Park sits at the very tip of Michigan's Thumb, where the Pinnebog River meets Lake Huron near Port Austin. The park is best known for 3 miles of soft sand beach backed by dunes — one of the longest stretches of undeveloped Lake Huron shoreline in the state park system — along with the ruins of a 19th-century sawmill and beet sugar factory scattered through the dune grass.
The campground offers 130-plus sites split between modern electric sites and a smaller number of semi-modern and rustic sites, spread across river-side and dune-side loops. It's a popular Thumb destination for families who want a long beach without the crowds of the west coast lakeshore parks.
| Area | Sites | Hookups | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Campground | ~100 sites | Electric | Families, RVs |
| Semi-Modern / Rustic Areas | ~30 sites | None to limited | Quieter stays, tent camping |
Beach, Dunes & Sawmill Ruins
PHOTO PLACEHOLDER
The park's signature feature is its 3-mile Lake Huron beach, backed by dune formations that are unusually tall for the Thumb region. Scattered ruins from a 19th-century sawmill and beet sugar processing operation add a bit of industrial history to the dunes near the Pinnebog River mouth, and a network of trails connects the beach, river, and campground areas.
How to Get a Reservation
The 6-Month Booking Window
Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Port Crescent State Park opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. Summer weekends on the beach loops fill up quickly.
Set a CampDrop Alert
If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Port Crescent.
What to Know Before You Go
Hookups & Site Types
Most sites offer electric service; a smaller number of semi-modern and rustic sites are available for campers who don't need full hookups.
Season
The park typically operates May through October; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.
Pets
Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.
Wind & Water Sports
Port Crescent's open Lake Huron exposure makes it a regional spot for kiteboarding and windsurfing — bring gear if that's your thing, or expect some wind on the beach even on calm inland days.
Directions
Port Crescent State Park is located at 1775 Port Austin Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467, in Huron County, at the tip of Michigan's Thumb about 25 miles east of Bad Axe.