Joe T.
Yelp
Friendly, huge state park - in the serene and "Pure Michigan" town of Ludington. My girlfriend and I have visited this park 2 summers in a row, and while we haven't camped here per se, we have parked here and taken the approx. 1.1 mile trail and/or Lake Michigan beach shore walk to the beautiful Big Sable Point Lighthouse.
We have ventured into the campground to use the restroom and get a head start on the trail walk before and the site looked very cozy, being wooded and nicely in the shade - and just mere steps away from the trail to the lighthouse, as well as the Lake Michigan shoreline. The campgrounds have great space and great restroom facilities. It feels peaceful, but when we were there it was definitely packed with campers so privacy may be a concern, since when it's busy, chances are you will have neighbors just yards away from your site. With everyone being so friendly and approachable, this would be a plus for social creatures anyway. The campground has 3 main distinct areas and plenty of rentals (e.g. kayaks, canoes, bikes, etc.).
The access to Lake Michigan from these campgrounds offer peaceful, shallow waters - excellent for swimming in the summertime, and the trail is great as well. There are some historic checkpoints along the way.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse is a great sight to see. It is not an active lighthouse, and now is a local tourist attraction. Donate a couple bucks or buy something from the gift shop with the friendly folks that run the lighthouse - and you can take the winding stairs up to the tall and historic lighthouse. The view and breeze you feel at the very top is, well, it's Pure Michigan!
Overall, Ludington State Park is an awesome mix of friendly, beach, sand, trail, nature, water, and historic. It makes for an ideal, peaceful, and mature camping getaway - especially with the charming, quaint downtown Ludington nearby. Partiers and younger campers may prefer camping a 1/2 hour south of here by Silver Lake.