Dedicated to the support of the Ludington State Park!

Track Chair Program

FLSP hosts the registration system for the LSP track chair program.  FLSP volunteers assist the LSP staff in loaning out the track chair by meeting with track chair users in order to provide them with an overview of the use and safety guidelines.  They also have the track chair user sign the DNR waiver form.

Monthly Guided Hikes

FLSP coordinates monthly guided hike the third Sunday of each month starting from the Warming Shelter at 2 p.m. Each hike will is led by two volunteer hike leaders and will cover different areas of the park. You do not have to be an experienced hiker to participate since hiking pace and length will vary depending on the interest of the participants. 

Entertainment Series

During the summer FLSP offers  a lineup of summer programs done in conjunction with Ludington State Park interpretive staff and funded by Friends of Ludington State Park.  These programs run Wednesday and Saturday evenings from roughly the end of June until the end of August.  The programs are held at the amphitheater or beach house.  In late spring the program schedule will be posted under events.   All programs are open to the public and free of charge.  A good will offering is collected to help defer the program costs.

Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up

Three times a year FLSP volunteers conduct an MDOT Adopt-a-Highway cleanup. We clean the northernmost 2 miles of M116/Trooper Paul K. Butterfield Memorial Highway in Ludington State Park. If you are interested in helping check the Events tab to learn about the date and time. Bring gloves. Bags, vests provided. 

Maintenance Projects

Periodically FLSP provide volunteers to assist in planting trees, maintaining trails, painting campsite numbers, or other small projects where we can lend a hand and make a difference in the Ludington State Park.

Lantern Lit Ski, Snowshoeing or Hiking

Ludington State Park offers free Saturday “Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoeing Event” in January and February, weather permitting. This event is offered each of the designated Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can bring their cross country skis and / or snowshoes out to ski or walk a lighted groomed trail through Ludington State Park’s snow-covered forested sand dunes.

The lighted trail starts out from the Warming Shelter located next to the parking lot at the end of State Highway M-116. The park has some snowshoes to loan out on a first-come, first-serve basis. The park has no cross country skis to loan out.  Reservations are not required.

Park staff and FLSP volunteers will be on hand to help visitors get started. Participants are advised to dress warm.  Along the trail park staff will be attending a warming fire with free hot beverages for participants.  They will also be there to answer any questions about the park.

Ludington State Park, also, offers several miles of groomed cross country ski trails for beginners through expert. The park offers winter camping and heated mini cabins are available for rent.  Come out and enjoy the natural winter beauty this park offers.

Look for announcements of the dates on the FLSP event page or Friends of Ludington State Park Facebook page.

Bottle and Can Return

During the summer months containers are placed by the dumpsters in each campground to collect returnable cans and bottles.  FLSP volunteers sort and return the bottles and cans and use the proceeds to defer the costs of the entertainment series.  The program also helps to keep the State Park clean of what might otherwise become litter.  

Brrrewfest

On a Saturday in January the Rotary Park in Downtown Ludington is the site of the annual Brrrewfest. Beer, wine, ciders and meads from 25 Michigan crafters will be on hand for an afternoon of tasting in a heated tent, complete with live music.  FLSP volunteers staff the event and 50% of the proceeds benefit FLSP.