Port Crescent State Park: Sunsets, Stars, and Sand.
Port Crescent State Park near Port Austin, Michigan, sits near the tip of the thumb. Even though this State Park is on the “sunrise side” of the state, due to its location, you find stunning SUNSETS instead of sunrises here. Port Crescent State Park is also a designated Dark Sky Preserve and nestles right up to the Lake Michigan Shoreline. It’s a park for those who love sunsets, stars, and sand.
Camping
Lovely small campground with clean bathroom/shower buildings. Port Crescent State Park campground is wooded and inviting, with several sites right along the Lake Huron Shoreline. There are two bathroom/shower buildings which means that your site is just a short walk from one of them. We took a short trip up there early in September a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. We spend our time resting at the campsite, walking through the campground, visiting the beach, and walking some of the trails. It was relaxing and beautiful.
Day Use Park
Port Crescent State Park has a Day Use area that is separate from the campground. There are hiking trails between these parking lots and the campground, which makes them accessible from both areas. The trails are nice and mainly wooded. Pinnebog River also runs between the two areas and is part of the hiking area. For beachgoers, there is a short walk from the parking area over the low dunes to the beach. The beach is sandy and perfect for walking, swimming, or simply exploring.
Dark Sky Preserve
Because Port Crescent State Park is a Dark Sky Preserve, the grounds stay open past dusk. A Dark Sky Preserve is an area that has little artificial light and offers better night sky viewing. These parks in Michigan are open 24 hours a day but may not be plowed in winter. You can check the Michigan DNR website for details. We visited on a clear night in December. It was chilly but beautiful! We have viewed the dark skies from the Day Use Park as well as from the campground. Both are stunning!
Port Crescent State Park is definitely worth the visit. Its colors shine best at sunset and in the dark of the night. Plan your visit on a clear night, and you will be rewarded by a sky full of stars and the Milky Way stretching across the dark from horizon to horizon.
Other State and local Parks for hiking and exploring: