This Is the Ultimate Moonlight Hike for July’s Buck Moon in Michigan

The Great Lakes State is a wonderful locale for celebrating celestial events and gazing up in wonder at all of the heavenly bodies in the firmament. In fact, several spots in Michigan are designated dark sky parks and sanctuaries, and they make perfect places to set up for a night of stargazing or aurora watching. Fortunately, when it comes to moon-gazing, you don't need skies that are super dark. On the other hand, they certainly don't hurt—nor does a clear view of the eastern horizon over a body of water. Admittedly, I'm a bit of a sucker for a good moonrise, and I've got a spot in Michigan that's perfect for it, whether you're heading out to see this month's Buck Moon or any other moonrise in the Great Lakes State. If you you love moonrises as much as I do, then I recommend heading up to the tip of the Mitten's index finger and pulling into Hoeft State Park. There, you can get in an easy beachfront hike while watching the Buck Moon rise over Lake Huron from a Michigan shoreline.

At around 340 acres, P.H. Hoeft State Park is relatively small compared to other Michigan state parks, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in scenery. The park is located near Rogers City, and it encompasses a mile of sandy, pristine Lake Huron shoreline, as well as a strip of dunes and forest just inland of the beach. The land for the park was donated by lumber baron Paul H. Hoeft in 1922, and when it opened, it was among the first of Michigan's state parks.

The shore offers unobstructed views of the eastern horizon, and you can enjoy clear views of the sky throughout much of the park. A handful of trails—for hiking, biking, and in the winter, skiing—traverse the park, but the one that offers the best views of the sky is the 2-mile loop formed by the Beach Trail and the Nagel Beach Trail.

The trail is easy going and quite level, with only 29 feet of elevation gain over its entire course. This makes it a fantastic trail for hiking under the night sky—but remember to bring a headlamp, just in case. On dark nights, when you have only the stars to help you navigate, I recommend using a headlamp with a red light mode so you can see where you're going without impairing your night vision or your view of the sky.

On nights when there's a full moon, though—like this month's Buck Moon—you may not even need a headlamp, especially after it's risen above the horizon. That said, once the moon starts to rise, I recommend stopping and watching it emerge from the horizon, huge and orange, its light dancing across Lake Huron.

The park boasts a 144-site, modern campground, as well as a mini-cabin to rent, so you can spend the night in the park, watching the moon make its arc over the Mitten and the stars spin in the firmament. Visit the Hoeft State Park web page for more information or to make reservations.

What are some other great spots for a moonlight hike in Michigan? We'd love to hear about your favorites.