Lake Hudson Recreation Area, located near the Ohio border, surrounds the park’s namesake no-wake lake and is home to a designated dark sky preserve, a semimodern campground, a designated swim beach, a boating access site, a 1.5-mile trail and more. The park is also popular for fishing – and known for muskie – paddling, hunting and more. The park encompasses a lake, native grass fields that are part of a pheasant restoration project and forested areas.
The park is home to a dark sky preserve – the first in Michigan’s state park system – offering excellent night-sky viewing. The preserve, located by the park’s picnic shelter, is open 24 hours a day year-round.
Amenities:
There are outhouses in each area at the park. The picnic area is the designated dark sky observing location, but the beach area offers the most open view of the sky. The boat launch is also a good place to observe if it isn’t busy with boaters.
- DNR designated as a Dark Sky Preserve
- Semi-modern campground
- Clear views from beach area
- Track-chairs are available to rent
Pros:
The skies do get reasonably dark. Slightly better than Peach Mountain on good clear transparent nights. It is often frequented by more humans at dark, meaning less concern for unwanted animal guests. Unless you’re Joy Poling. The raccoons have tried to steal her telescope before…
Cons:
It’s an hour drive from Ann Arbor. If you aren’t a road warrior or a trucker, this may make a trip out to Lake Hudson Dark Sky Preserve prohibitive. The site is about 30 minutes from the Ohio border and is susceptible to sudden, unpredictable cloud cover. And for the seasoned astronomer, the light domes to the northeast nearly wash out that whole section of the sky.
Reviews:
Websites:
Directions:
5505 Morey Highway, Clayton, MI 49235
Between Adrian and Hudson on Morey Road (M-156).
