International Dark Sky Park

Welcome to the United States' 6th International Dark Sky Park

Headlands named International Dark Sky Park!

In early May 2011, Emmet County was awarded International Dark Sky Park designation for the Headlands property -- just the sixth such park in the United States and the ninth in the world.

Emmet County is continuing to put together monthly programming, brochures and more detailed information about the dark-sky viewing opportunities over the Headlands, in Northwest Michigan.

For more information or directions, email bpiehl@emmetcounty.org, or call (231) 348-1704.

Click here to read the full article about the DSP designation, programming for 2011, FAQs and more!

2012 Dark Sky Park programs

Click here to be taken to the schedule of 2012 Dark Sky Park programs. Dates and times are available, along with a brief introduction to each month's planned event with Dark Sky Park Program Director Mary Stewart Adams.

Transit of Venus 2012

Emmet County staff and the Headlands International Dark Sky Park are gearing up for the biggest celestial event of our lifetime -- the Transit of Venus! It takes place on Tuesday, June 5. An afternoon and evening full of free programs, events and opportunities to safely view the Transit will take place beginning at 4 p.m.

Join Emmet County at the Headlands for the Transit of Venus event! Click here for more details.

About the park: What you need to know

The Headlands is open 24 hours a day, every day, at no charge. Click here for the address and directions.

There is no camping allowed; however, visitors are welcomed and encouraged 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.

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 public Dark Sky Park programs take place at the Beach House (unless otherwise noted); follow the signs through the park. It's about a mile drive in from the park entrance. Also, the programs are intended for naked-eye observation; however, you may feel free to bring binoculars or telescopes if you prefer to enhance the experience.

Please note: There are not yet concrete pads in place for telescopes.

If you are heading to the Headlands on a non-program outing, look for the signs for Dark Sky Viewing. There is a designated trail and viewing area along the lakeshore for the public to utilize. Because the two properties on the acreage are rented out by the county, they may be occupied at any given time. Please respect the privacy of the occupants and do not enter the buildings (the Beach House and the Guest House).

Call (231) 348-1704 or email bpiehl@emmetcounty.org if you have further questions.

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.

Where to camp nearby

Camping is not allowed at the Headlands. For those who would like to camp near the Headlands, there are several options:

Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping (approx. 10 minutes away)

KOA Kampground (approx. 5 minutes away)

Tee Pee Campground (approx. 10 minutes away)

Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga, owned and operated by Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga is located about 30 minutes away in Alanson.

Reach out, stay informed!

Sign up for email alerts
Beginning in September 2011, we will begin offering an email news alert service, informing those who register about what to watch for in the night sky, interesting dark-sky facts and fun information, and also updates about our Dark Sky Park programming.
To sign up, email bpiehl@emmetcounty.org

Where can you post a comment?
Emmet County staff and Dark Sky Park Program Director Mary Stewart Adams would love to hear your feedback on programs and the Headlands, and also your ideas on how we could improve or what we're doing right!
Tell us by either calling (231) 348-1704; or emailing bpiehl@emmetcounty.org or starmare.adams@gmail.com.

How can you ask a question for the star lore historian?
Contact Mary directly: (231) 838-8181 or email her at starmare.adams@gmail.com

Headlands makes Midwest Living's 2012 'Best' list

The Headlands International Dark Sky Park continues to gain national attention and it is most recently featured in the "Best of the Midwest 2012" issue of Midwest Living magazine. A feature of the park and its amenities can be found on page 57 of the current January/February 2012 issue, which reaches approximately 2 million readers.

The writer notes, "An unbelievable blanket of twinkly stars draws visitors to a 600-acre county park alongside Lake Michigan that, last year, became the world's ninth International Dark Sky Park. Years without development kept the sky free of light pollution; now, it feels like an outdoor planetarium."

The Headlands is included in a list of the "top 25 new places to stay, eat and play," with the editors writing: "This year's 'it' list honors the 25 best. As you start planning your 2012 road trips, leave time in your itineraries for these phenomenal new attractions, restaurants and hotels in all 12 Heartland states."Click here to read the online version.
For a listing of free 2012 Dark Sky Park programs, click here.

Dark Sky Park clothing now available!

T-shirts and hats featuring the Dark Sky Park at the Headlands are now available. Proceeds benefit future Dark Sky Park efforts.

Click here to peruse the clothing items currently available.

Day into night ...

The Harvest Moon event at the Headlands on Sept. 12, 2011, took place on a warm, clear evening, offering sky-gazers panoramic views of the sunset and the moon rise over the Northern Emmet County property. Approximately 50 people attended the event. For more photos from the evening, and for more information about upcoming Dark Sky Park programs, click here.           

Photo Albums