Lake Hudson Recreation Area

08/23/2026

As we approach the end of summer, we want to remind campers and park visitors that Michigan hunting season will be starting sooner than most people realize. As a State Recreation Area, Lake Hudson is open to most hunting seasons.
Here are some important early season dates to remember.

1. September 1st - Early Goose Season
2. September 12th-13th - Early Antlerless Deer Firearm and Youth Firearm Deer Hunt
3. September 15th - Small game hunting season begins

We encourage campers and hikers to wear bright colored clothing while walking trails, and we encourage hunters to use remote areas of the park in early season to hunt.
Remember, Lake Hudson is open to many different types of recreational activities, we need to be aware of others, and respect everyone’s right to enjoy the park.

08/02/2026

06/23/2026

Lake Hudson’s 4th Annual Halloween Event will be September 25th-27th this year. We still have spots available. You can reserve a campsite by calling 1-800-447-2752.

This event is open to campers and their guests only. For those who have not attended in years past; the weekend includes costume contests, activities for kids, trick-or-treating, and other contests.

06/19/2026

The Great Outdoors Jamboree will be held at Lake Hudson Recreation Area on September 13th, 2026 from 10am-4pm.

We are looking for groups, organizations, or individual businesses that can share an educational experience with attendees of the event. If you feel your organization, group, or business would like to participate and give a presentation, please email us at [email protected] or call (517) 445-2265.

05/14/2026

This weeks bird is a rare visitor to this part of the state. The Willet is a large shore bird (about crow size), which breeds in northern states and Canada, and winters along the southern U.S. shoreline. They are grey brown in color when standing, blending in with other shore birds. When they fly however, their striking black and white wing pattern makes them an amazing sight. This group stopped over at Lake Hudson’s beach for a few days to rest, before heading on to northern breeding grounds.

04/25/2026

The bird of the week is the Common Loon!

Usually thought of as a bird of the far north, each spring 2-3 pairs arrive at Lake Hudson. They will stay on the lake feeding and resting until an increase in boat traffic drives them off.

After leaving Lake Hudson they will fly to the Upper Peninsula, Northern States and Canada to their nesting sites. They will pass through again in late fall. In fall they have molted to their drab winter plumage, a major change from their striking breeding plumage.

These large water birds use their webbed feet to chase down fish, often staying underwater for over a minute.

Their call is a loud, eerie sound, with a yodel like cadence. These birds can easily be seen at Lake Hudson from first ice melt until mid April each year.

The video shows a Loon at Lake Hudson diving for fish this year in early April.

04/20/2026

*Spotlight on the DNR*

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is made up of 9 Divisions, each with a unique purpose and mission. For the next few weeks we will explore what each division brings to the table to help preserve and manage Michigan’s valuable resources.

This week we will take a look at the Fisheries Division. Fisheries is tasked with protecting and managing fish populations, aquatic wildlife, and aquatic habitat. Fisheries operates 6 Hatcheries across the State, where future generations of fish are raised.

Careers in the Fisheries Division include; Fisheries Biologists, Technicians, Fisheries Assistants and Creel Clerks.

Fisheries staff were at Lake Hudson the last two weeks collecting Muskellunge eggs for the State Hatchery. These Musky will be raised in the Hatchery and released in Lakes across the State. Around 500 Musky are released in Lake Hudson each summer.

04/10/2026

Camping opens on April 15th.

*REMINDER* - As usual this time of year the campsites are extremely wet and muddy! We have about 1/3 of the sites closed until May 1st.

We ask that those coming in try to park all equipment or vehicles on the gravel pads if possible.

Thank you, and we hope to see you sometime this summer.

04/02/2026

The NO WAKE rule on Lake Hudson is not only great for fishermen and kayakers, but also allows time for migratory birds to rest and feed before moving north.

This week’s bird is the American Coot. Coots are small, dark water birds in the Rail family. Instead of webbed feet like a duck, each of their toes has webbing , allowing them to not only swim and dive, but walk around easily on land .

Coots eat fish, crustaceans and a variety of water plants. They are usually unwary , allow people to watch them at close range.

See comments for a video of a Coot diving for food.