Ludington's Skyline Trail reconstruction to begin in September

One of Ludington State Park’s most scenic and iconic attractions is getting a major upgrade.

Starting this September, work kicks off on a long-awaited reconstruction project of the Skyline Trail, designed to protect fragile sand dunes and enhance safety and overall usability.

Originally built in 1980, Ludington State Park's half-mile elevated boardwalk currently rises 100 feet above the park’s forested southern dune, offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan and, on clear days, the dunes at Silver Lake State Park.

The reconstruction project will enhance safety and overall usability by replacing the aging structure to meet modern construction standards and better protect the dunes. Key improvements include:

• Raising most of the boardwalk a few feet higher to restore natural sand flow and safeguard fragile dune ecosystems from erosion and foot traffic.
• Using modern, long-lasting materials, such as treated lumber and steel support posts.
• Constructing several larger viewing platforms.
• Replacing both large flights of stairs on the east and west ends.

The contractor for the project is Mimh Enterprises of Hamilton, Michigan.

"You can really feel the community's excitement for a project that balances enhanced public access with vital dune protection," said Jim Gallie, park manager at Ludington State Park in Mason County. "The Friends of Ludington were the spark that moved the project along, and we can't thank them enough."

Partnership support

The Skyline Trail reconstruction project is funded by a $3.3 million grant from the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund, alongside $350,000 raised from private donors by the Friends of Ludington State Park.

“We're incredibly grateful to the generous donors who have made it possible for Friends of Ludington State Park to partner with the DNR on the replacement of the Skyline Trail," said Patrick O’Hare, president of the friends group. "This project is another example of what we can accomplish together. Through this partnership, and many others over the years, we’ve enhanced the park experience for visitors and helped create lasting memories for generations to come."

The project builds upon a series of major park enhancements completed in June 2025 and fueled by $2.635 million in ARPA funding. The park now features repaved roads, upgraded pedestrian walkways and improved parking areas - all designed to elevate the visitor experience. 

Planned closures

To ensure public safety during construction, the Skyline Trail and all intersecting trails and the park amphitheater and its access road will be closed to the public starting in September. The project is slated to continue through mid-2027.

Before visiting any DNR-managed location, it's always a good idea to check the latest closures due to weather-related events and planned improvement projects and repairs occurring at DNR facilities around the state. Any revised construction timelines will also be announced on the DNR's closures webpage at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

More information

Follow Friends of Ludington State Park on Facebook or visit the group’s website at friendsofludingtonstatepark.org for more information about group happenings, volunteer opportunities, membership and/or donations.

If you have questions about the Skyline Trail project, please contact Jim Gallie at 231-843-2423 or GallieJ@Michigan.gov.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

• A rendering of the new platform planned for the Skyline Trail; design by Prein&Newhof. 
• A rendering of the new boardwalk planned for the Skyline Trail; design by Prein&Newhof.