Accessible Ludington

Accessible Accommodations

The Ludington area strives to be accessible for its visitors, continuing to add wheelchair-accessible features and adaptive equipment so that travelers of various abilities can access Ludington’s beautiful assets.

• Cartier Mansion Carriage House Suites – Edison Suite – The fully accessible, first-floor Edison Suite features a king-size bed, lift-assist lounge chair, fireplace, coffee bar, mini-fridge, and Smart TV. The bathroom is ADA compliant with a roll-in shower, accessible sink and grab bars. 
• Ludington State Park – Ludington State Park is home to three modern campgrounds – with five wheelchair-accessible sites in Pines campground, one in Beechwood, plus three modern mini-cabins. Accessible sites feature extended picnic table overhangs for wheelchair access, asphalt surface with paved path to the electrical outlet and restrooms, plus protected (and higher) poured concrete fire pits. 

Outdoor Recreation

Beaches 

Ludington has two Lake Michigan beaches and one inland lake beach with wheelchair-accessible, vinyl decking pathways allowing people in wheelchairs to access the shore (NOTE: Beach pathways are seasonal during the summer months.)

• Stearns Park Beach  – This free downtown city beach has three wheelchair-accessible beach pathways leading to Lake Michigan– one at the south end, one at the north end, and one in the middle of the park – with barrier-free picnic tables at the end of each pathway. There also is a free beach wheelchair at Stearns Park available on a first-come, first-served basis that can travel on sand. Inquire at The Sandbox concession stand for more information. Also along the beach sidewalk by the parking lot is a SeeCoast Viewer powered by EnChroma® Lens Technology that helps those with red-green color blindness experience a broader spectrum of color. 
• Ludington State Park Lake Michigan Beach – This extensive beach has a wheelchair-accessible vinyl pathway near the Beach House, along with numerous adaptive equipment for those in wheelchairs who can transfer so that they can access the beach, including two beach mobility wheelchairs, one aluminum all-terrain beach walker, and an EZ Roller Floating Surf Wheelchair that travels across sand and can go into the water. All items are available to borrow free on a first-come, first-served basis at the Lake Michigan Beach House.
• Hamlin Lake Beach – This inland lake at Ludington State Park has a vinyl beach mat that goes to the water’s edge, along with two beach mobility wheelchairs that traverse across sand and are loaned out free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ludington State Park – Other Accessible Features

In addition to wheelchair-accessible beach pathways and accessible beach wheelchairs at the beaches, Ludington State Park offers other accessible features and adaptive equipment at the park:

• Action Track Chairs – Two off-road electronic track chairs provide accessibility for individuals in wheelchairs who can transfer (a transfer board is available if needed) and can be taken on the beach, to Big Sable Point Lighthouse and along the Logging Trail – handling trails, sand and water. Chairs can be borrowed free of charge seven days a week from May to November by reservation, which can be made by contacting Ludington State Park Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (231) 843-2423, extension 0.  
• SeeCoast Viewers powered by EnChroma® Lens Technology – With one located along the Skyline Trail and another on the Island Trail, these viewers help those with red-green color blindness experience a broader spectrum of clear, vibrant, distinct color. 
• Kayak launch, Hamlin Lake Beach – This accessible kayak/canoe launch features a 30-foot sloped gangway with a transfer area where a person in a wheelchair with upper body strength can transfer from their chair, onto a platform and into a boat, sliding into the water with their hands.
• Playground – Built on a poured-in-place rubber surface, this playground at the Hamlin Lake beach area is reachable by wheelchair-accessible ramps to the first level. An accessible sidewalk connects the playground to the picnic shelter, bathroom building and concession area.
• Hamlin Lake Dam – The dam crossing Hamlin Lake has been updated several times to make it easier to traverse in a wheelchair.
• Fishing piers – The boardwalk on either side of Hamlin Dam has ramps to the river for fishing. There also is an accessible fishing platform between the dam and Hamlin Lake boat launch. 
• Picnic shelter and picnic areas – The Hamlin Lake beach area features an accessible picnic shelter, in addition to two concrete picnic pads connected by sidewalk containing a table and grill.  Another is in the picnic day use area near the footbridge by Cedar Campground. Other wheelchair-accessible picnic tables are located throughout the park as well. 
• Beach House – Ludington State Park’s recently restored historic 1935 beach house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps includes a wheelchair lift to take visitors to the upper level with exhibits or the lower level with restrooms and concession. There also is a sidewalk and ramp to the lower level from the parking lot.