Beaches by the Motel

Stearns Park is the city of Ludington’s largest beach, with 2,500 feet of sandy shoreline and plenty of FREE parking. Here you can swim, play mini-golf, watch the kids have fun in the playground, build a sand castle, or take a long walk on the pier out to the Ludington North Breakwater lighthouse, which is open for tours in the summer. The half-mile walk out to the light is popular among couples, families, and fishermen. The lighthouse is also a favorite spot for watching the S.S. Badger carferry sail by, and to experience an amazing Lake Michigan sunset.

Concession stands are located at both the north and south ends of Stearns Park, and they offer all your favorite snacks and beverages. You’ll also find restroom facilities here, as well as drinking fountains.

An accessible walkway has been constructed by the north concession stand at Stearns Park Beach. Wheelchairs, strollers and anyone who has trouble walking through the sand can now use the walkway to get down to the water from the parking lot.

Adjacent to the Stearns Park beach is a large, grassy area with picnic tables and grills. This is a beautifully shaded area, and many parties and reunions are held here. When you want to escape the sun and the heat, this is a wonderful place to relax. Imagine…it can be high noon on a hot summer day, but you can be cool and content in the canopy of a huge shade tree, looking out over the beautiful beach. That’s picture-perfect Ludington!

The south end of Stearns Park (very close to our motel) is a flurry of activity–especially at the Skate Plaza. Kids of all ages gather here with their skateboards and in-line skates. Shuffleboard courts are on one side of the Skate Plaza, and the Jaycees Mini Golf Course is on the other side. To the south of the Concession stand you’ll find a nice playground for the kids on the sandy beach.

The angled parking at Stearns Park which looks out over Lake Michigan makes it ideal to sit in your vehicle during the colder weather and watch the spectacular sunsets. Professional and amateur photographers choose this setting to capture the ultimate beauty of Ludington’s premier park.

Read more about Stearns Park Beach to discover why our motel has the best location in Ludington!

Beyond the beach at Stearns Park, the Ludington area frequently boasts about the miles of public beach on the way to the Ludington State Park, named the most popular state park in the Midwest! Another favorite beach can be reached by boat at the Hamlin Lake Sand Dunes. You can read about the dozens of beaches nearby here.