Big Sable Point Light
Located on the north side of Ludington State Park lies the Big Sable Point Light, a lighthouse that warms sailors of Big Sable Point. The lighthouse was constructed in 1867 and still operates today. When it was first lit, there was no road to the light, so building materials, workers, and lighthouse keepers had to be brought in by boat. A road was eventually completed in the 1930s. The Big Sable Point Light was also the last of all the many lights on the Great Lakes to be modernized with electricity and plumbing. It was automated in the 1960s, ending almost a 100-year tradition of light keepers living on the premises. Since 2003, the Michigan DNR has owned and managed the property with the help of the Sable Points Light Keepers Association. To get out to Big Sable Point Light, there is a parking area just after the booth to enter the swimming area and campground at Ludington State Park. On the northeast side of the parking lot, there is a trailhead that takes you through the Pines Campground and eventually onto a sandy gravel path. The path winds past dunes, ponds, hike-in campsites, and a variety of nature and wildlife. After just under 2 miles, you will reach the light, which is perched on a little sandy enclave facing the lake. You can also reach the lake by walking up the beach from the swimming area. Big Sable Point Light is one of the most beautiful lighthouses I have seen thus far, and the next time I am in the area, I will definitely be taking the hike again!
