Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan, United States
4.5 (330 reviews) Spent Ranking #6 in Cheboygan County National Parks • Parks
Dark Sky Park for Star/Planet Viewing
We travelled specifically to this park from down state to view the Milky Way on the new moon. Found out this is a popular spot for viewing the sunset (crowded) so recommend coming early as the parking lot fills up (very small lot) come before sunset or later as the sunset crowd leaves. At 10:30p we walked about a mile from the aux parking to get into the park. Red filter/gel covering for your flashlight as it does not interrupt your night vision and white/regular flashlights are not allowed. Facebook page has scheduled events, information as well. AMAZING. NOMAC was set up and we were able to look through their amazing scope to see Saturn and it's beautiful rings. Clear sky and were able to see Milky Way as well.
Address
15675 Headlands Rd No Camping Allowed, Mackinaw City, MI 49701-8612
Mobile
Website
http://www.midarkskypark.org
Current local date and time now
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:41
User Ratings
4.5 based on (330 reviews)
Reviews
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5Rhiannon A 5:00 PM Jul 15, 2021
Bring your bug spray! The good stuff, and lots of it. Maybe even a blowtorch to fry the little suckers! (Ok, kidding on that las
Being from a metropolitan city, we can see stars but not many. The views from this place are amazing. I can only imagine how nice it is during a major sky event. However, bring your bug spray and spray everything. Even your clothing. Honestly, even that doesn't matter because those little suckers even bit through our clothing! About an hour or 2 after the sun was gone the bugs calmed down quite a bit. But they were downright unbearable before. Several people give up and left before the sky even got dark. I felt sorry for them because man they missed a beautiful night sky! My husband even saw his first "shooting star". This is a "no white light" area, so do not bring flashlights. They have red lights (does not disrupt your night vision) along the pathway. If your vision is super poor hopefully you have someone to take with you whom can help guide you. Don't be that one rude person shining the light and interrupting everyone else's view. Also you can always take a flashlight and paint the light portion with red nail polish. This will not disrupt your night vision after your eyes have adjusted to the night sky, and should give off enough light to be able to see around. No chairs but amphitheater style seating and lots of concrete and grass so bring chairs or blankets and towels so you can lay back and watch the sky show! Also, free admission!
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5ZeelandScoutMom 5:00 PM Sep 9, 2021
Star Viewing!
This was second visit to the Dark Sky Park. When we arrived to Mackinaw City, we visited the Dark Sky Park during the day. There are many trails and a beautiful Event Center; which we didn't see in 2016. In front of the Event Center, facing the lake, there are terraced areas on which to sit and there is a neat paved area where some sat with telescopes and cameras. We arrived just before 6:30 pm and were able to park in the parking lot near the Event Center. Watching the sunset and the stars appear was beautiful. If people follow the directions posted on signs (using a flashlight with a red filter, parking cars with the lights away from the viewing area, etc.) it makes for a wonderful evening.
