Welcome to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park! Unfortunately, even though the sky seemed to be clearer, the stars were very hazy.
Vincent Van Gogh said, “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” I definitely love the great outdoors, but some places in nature are certainly more beautiful than others – and more unique. The only complaint we have is the road going in and out is very narrow.
I think this is a wonderful spot and worth the time (very close to town but remote) to try to see the Milky Way or just enjoy the stars.
Diane Dakins is passionate about all the lakeside communities that comprise the Petoskey Area of northern Michigan: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor and Boyne City. The Headlands is a comfortable 45 minutes away and the drive back will leave you time to snuggle down and talk about all you saw in this place of wonder – truly a jewel in the Michigan Treasure known as the Petoskey Area. They say the Milky Way is best seen not long after sunset.
Additionally: Our programs take place rain or shine, and no reservations are required unless otherwise noted. We'll try again another time. With the busiest time of year at the park now upon us, we must limit the number of vehicles into the park so we can ensure the safety of all our visitors and our staff. To stay up-to-date on news and events at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, register for email blasts by contacting scox@emmetcounty.org and be sure to follow our Facebook page for more news and photos. Very romantic spot! Your email address will not be published. Learn more here.
The colors are picked from what color the sky is likely to be, with Dark blue being clear. Programs & Events ★ GO TO EVENT SCHEDULE BELOW ★ Welcome to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park! We didn’t know anything about it the first night and stayed in the parking lot.
This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. • Masks are required to be worn inside the Event Center. Hiked a little. While the grounds, trails, viewing areas and restrooms at Headlands are always open and freely accessible, the Waterfront Event Center is only open to the public during scheduled programming and gift shop hours. Nice dark park. The short cruise covers more than 100 years of history through illumining live narration on Native American folklore, local shipwrecks, and the history of the 5-mile bridge. To protect the darkness of the park, please use red-filtered flashlights during your visit to the Headlands. You don’t need a telescope to find lodging in the Petoskey Area – just visit the website and plan your next visit. Dark Sky Park Program Coordinator © 2020 Copyright by Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, Get Out and Enjoy the Fall Color in the Petoskey Area, Top 10 Reasons Foodies May Relish Time in the Petoskey Area, Petoskey, MI 49770. In May 2011, Emmet County's Headlands property became the sixth International Dark Sky Park in the United States and only the ninth in the world. Mary Stewart Adams, Program Director for the Dark Sky Park will be on hand sharing stories of cultures, the stars and their relationships to the signs of the zodiac. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If you are looking for somewhere to get off the beaten path and enjoy nature when you’re visiting the Petoskey Area, you really need to point your compass in the direction of the Headlands International Dark Sky Park and you don’t have to wait for nightfall to do so. There is ample space to safely distance yourselves. There are no upcoming events to display at this time. What an amazing way to spend time with the family watching nature’s TV!
For best results, use the customized Trip Planning Widget for Headlands International Dark Sky Park on your website.It has all the advantages mentioned above, plus users to your site can conveniently access it directly on your In the past, professional star-gazers and astronomers have been available onsite to enhance your viewing experience during scheduled observing nights. The Waterfront Event Center at the Headlands is available for private rental.
As assistant director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, she has “been there – seen that” when it comes to virtually every area attraction. Amazing setup with red lights along the path and at the site. Instead, eager light seekers have one of the best chances at catching this rare solar phenomenon by visiting the Headlands International Dark Sky Park. It's local time, in 24hr format.
Be sure and wander among the Dark Sky Discovery Trail stations along the main route. The last Dark Sky Program for 2016 is December 29 and hopefully snowshoes will be needed to make the trek. Your email address will not be published. Set up the. Her blogs give potential visitors the scoop on planning a northern Michigan vacation.
Facility is nice right on Lake Michigan.
Established in 2011, the Headlands is one of just a handful of areas declared as an international dark sky park (and it was one of the first 10 in the world designated as such!).
• Guests will also be asked to socially distance from other guests outside of their household/group. If you’re a birder, you may be like a kid in a candy store when you see the myriad of species found throughout park. The second night looked to be clearer and we had our phone set for a red background. Saw an amazing sunset over Lake Michigan.
SUMMER/FALL 2020 – NOTICE TO VISITORS – Due to limited staff and procedures put in place at the park to prevent the spread of the cororavirus, visitation into the park will be limited until further notice.
After 10-15 minutes, our eyes adjusted and the stars were beautiful. If you like viewing the night sky, and you are going to be in the area this is a must stop. Your cooperation will help us to not only keep our staff and visitors safe, but will help us continue to keep the park open. They had a wedding going on at the time we were there.
However, due to restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Headlands staff will not be bringing telescopes out onto the viewing platform during the 2020 summer season. Along the way, pass by famous landmarks including Old Mackinac Point Light and Fort Michilimackinac. When visiting the Dark Sky Park at night, it’s best to go early and get an idea of where you’ll be going; until summer 2017, there is a mile walk in (and walk out) required, due to construction of a new facility. Hotels with Private Beach in Mackinaw City, Hotels near Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Hotels near Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry, Hotels near Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Hotels near McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site, Hotels near Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park.
Bathrooms. Some clouds. During daylight hours, the Headlands is a picture-perfect place to hike or cross-country ski, as five miles of trails lead through untouched forests including two miles of dazzling Lake Michigan shoreline. By 10:00pm full cloud cover. Until further notice, parking outside the park’s entrance and walking in will NO LONGER BE PERMITTED.
the darkness over lake Michigan on a new moon night is site to see. Hotels near Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Inc. Hotels near (CIU) Chippewa County Airport, McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site, Game & Entertainment Centers in Mackinaw City, Parasailing & Paragliding in Mackinaw City, Fishing Charters & Tours in Mackinaw City, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Mackinaw City, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Mackinaw City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park Tickets, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Tickets, Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Inc. Tickets, McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site Tickets, Del Sol - Color-Change - Mackinaw Crossings. When packing, keep in mind that temperatures are typically 10 degrees lower than expected due to our proximity to the lake shore. The Observatory is limited to park staff and researchers.
The grounds, trails, and viewing areas at Headlands are open 24 hours a day, every day. If you like viewing the night sky, and you are going to be in the area this is a must stop.
We walked down to the viewing area at the beach. It’s a place to stargaze and watch and wonder about the planets, a place where darkness is your friend and lights are intruders. {{cta(‘3c672aa5-0c9a-4af2-ab17-fc9959d28069′,’justifycenter’)}}. The paths are well lit for night there are clean facilities on the grounds as well. Trip was a bust. chairs. the darkness over lake Michigan on a new moon night is site to see.
View one of the world's largest suspension bridges from a unique vantage point on a boat tour from Mackinac Island. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.
Please choose a different date.
Michigan is home to a rare Dark Sky Park, the best place for a view of the night sky. Required fields are marked *. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Headlands Dark Sky Park is a 550-acre, undeveloped patch of land that plays host to a number of natural wonders, including local wildlife and several species of endangered plants. more, Recommended experiences in and around Mackinaw City. Units like tents … The line, labeled Cloud Cover forecasts total cloud cover. OUR E-NEWSLETTER WILL GIVE YOU THE SCOOP ON UPCOMING EVENTS AND FESTIVITIES. During the park’s busy hours (typically the golden hour before sunset and up to midnight), and on nights when events are scheduled, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO WAIT. 15675 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701. No ones fault. • Only members of the same household or group, or a limit of two unrelated individuals, will be permit-ted inside the Headlands gift shop at one time. We went here because our daughter wanted to hopefully star gaze and see some northern lights.
Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, 15675 Headlands Rd No Camping Allowed, Mackinaw City, MI 49701-8612, This park is very unique.
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Visitors are welcome to bring their own telescopes and/or binoculars. When our 67-space parking lot near the Event Center is filled, additional vehicles will be held up by park staff at the Headlands entrance.
Visuals when the Observatory is open are projected onto the big screen monitors on the main level. You may bring blankets, sleeping bags, chairs, food, beverages, etc. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Visitors are welcome to stay out through the night for dark-sky viewing opportunities, but camping is not permitted. We visited 2 nights in a row on our trip. Our parking lot held maybe 70 cars.