What you need to know
The grounds, trails, shoreline viewing areas and restrooms (under the observatory tower) at Headlands are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The facilities at Headlands (Waterfront Event Center and the Guest House) are only open to the public during regularly scheduled programs or by private rental. Please note that private rental does not include the observatory. Plan accordingly and dress for temperatures 10 degrees below what you expect. The park is located on the shore of Lake Michigan and is always cooler than inland.
The road through the park is paved and mostly flat, with an incline near the entrance. At the fork in the road, the pavement continues right to the Waterfront Center and Observatory, while the road to the left winds down to the Guest House and wilderness shoreline along a gravel route. Guests are welcome to use bicycles and can utilize other wheeled carts, such as wagons, to carry supplies. There is handicap-accessible parking available at the Waterfront Event Center, available on a first-come, first-served basis. ALL GUESTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARK WITH THEIR HEADLIGHTS AIMING AWAY FROM THE BUILDING AND SHORELINE VIEWING AREAS, so that, when returning to your car after dark, your headlights don’t shine into the viewing areas. Your consideration is appreciated.
Download the HEADLANDS TRAIL MAP
Are public restrooms available?
Restroom facilities are available 24/7 at the observatory, ground floor (even when the observatory is not open).
Where do the Dark Sky Programs take place?
The public Dark Sky Park programs take place at the Waterfont Event Center and stage area (unless otherwise noted). Follow the signs through the park. There is some parking near the designated dark sky viewing area at the shore and the Waterfront Event Center. If you’ve never been to Headlands, we advise that you arrive during daylight hours to get a sense of the park (and the parking!). When the parking lot near the facility fills up, traffic will be halted at the entrance. When a visitor leaves, the next waiting vehicle will be waved through. Be prepared to wait 30-90 minutes on nights with clear skies when it’s close to a new moon. Call (231) 427-1001 or email [email protected] if you have further program questions.
Is Camping Allowed?
No. Camping is not permitted anywhere inside the Headlands park and absolutely no campfires are permitted. However, visitors are welcome to stay out through the night and early morning hours for night-sky viewing opportunities. You may bring blankets, sleeping bags, chairs, food, beverages, etc. Nearby campsites are listed with links below.
Where to camp nearby
For those who would like to camp near the Headlands, there are several options:
KOA Kampground (approx. 5 minutes away)
Wilderness State Park campground (approx. 15 minutes away)
Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping (approx. 10 minutes away)
Tee Pee Campground (approx. 10 minutes away)
Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga, owned by Emmet County and operated by the Emmet County Parks and Recreation Department (approx. 30 minutes away in Alanson)
Burt Lake State Park (approx. 45 minutes)
If you don’t want to camp, downtown Mackinaw City (two miles east of Headlands) has hundreds of hotel rooms. Visit the Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce to get started.
Are pets allowed at the park?
Dogs are allowed at the Headlands as long as they are on a leash. And, please remember to pick up after your pet so everyone can enjoy the park experience. Dogs are not allowed inside the buildings at the Headlands.
Can I use a regular flashlight?
The Dark Sky Park is indeed very dark. We recommend visitors bring red-filtered flashlights only, so as to not disturb the vision of other park users. White light can ruin the viewing opportunities presented at the Headlands, for yourself and others. You can make your own red-filtered flashlight by taking red plastic wrap (or coloring clear plastic wrap red) and covering the tip of the flashlight. (Check for the special red wrap around the winter holidays in particular and stock up!) Here’s one way to get started making a night-vision flashlight
Is the Facility ADA Accessible?
Headlands Waterfront Event Center is equipped with ADA-accessible lighted sidewalks that run from the parking area to the building, amphitheater, shoreline, and throughout the designated night sky viewing area. Outside, at the base of the observatory dome, there are two 24-hour family restrooms available 24/7/365 that are also ADA accessible. Inside of the Event Center, a family restroom is available, as well as men’s and women’s restrooms equipped with stalls, including a handicap stall in each bathroom. All three interior restrooms are also equipped with changing tables, automatic sinks and hand dryers.
There are no push buttons or automatic doors at this facility. Public access to the observatory dome is not permitted.
What is a Dark Sky Park?
Emmet County achieved designation for the Headlands as an International Dark Sky Park in May 2011. The designation is awarded by the International Dark Sky Association in Tucson, Arizona, the oldest organization dedicated to protecting and stewarding natural darkness in the world. When the Headlands achieved the designation, it was just the sixth such park in the United States and only the ninth in the world. As a result, the Headlands have enjoyed a great deal of success, and more importantly, the park has been part of a very dynamic, international movement to protect natural darkness worldwide. From this northwest corner of the Michigan mitt, the Headlands have been able to influence Michigan state legislation which now protects the dark skies over an additional 30,000 acres of state-owned land, and the staff at the Headlands work in partnership with the National Parks Service on the dark skies over their properties in the Great Lakes region.
The International Dark Sky Association now recognizes over 40 international dark sky parks worldwide.