The Headlands, a beautiful 550-acre park just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world. Named a Dark Sky Park in May 2011, this designation means that The Headlands is a spectacular place for sky and star gazing.

A Dark Sky Park has minimal light interruption from nearby cities or places making it a perfect place to view the skies at night. The approval required a lengthy process by Emmet County, who owns and operates the park. As an official Dark Sky Park, the only one in Michigan, The Headlands must be open at all times and include an educational component about astronomy and maintain park lighting that is minimizes interference with star gazing.

The nation's other Dark Sky Parks are in Utah, Pennsylvania, Washington, Ohio, and New Mexico.

The Headlands contains two miles of pristine Lake Michigan beaches, rare and endangered plant life, and wild life including bald eagles and osprey. Trails through the park offer the opportunity to view the plant and wild life.

The park provides lodging in two unique buildings: the Beach House that houses up to 18 people, and the Guest House with accommodations for up to 22 people. In 2011, theknot.com, a national wedding source, named The Headlands a site for the Best of Weddings.

Throughout the year, the Headlands Dark Sky Park hosts night time events such as a Halloween event as well as those to celebrate a lunar eclipse or meteor shower. The Headlands Dark Sky Park already is drawing visitors from around the U.S. who travel to Northern Michigan to observe the sky in such a perfect setting.

2013 Programs

January 5, 5-7pm 12th Night: Celestial Highlights of the Coming Year.
February 8, 6-8pm Ancient Symbols, Contemporary Understanding
March 9, 6-8pm Comet Chasing
March 15, 7:30-9pm The Northern Lights Over Northern Michigan,
with photographer Shawn Stockman-Malone, at the Emmet County Fairgrounds
April 15, 6:30pm Owl Banding and Stargazing with the Straits Area Audubon Society, reservations required
April 22, 11am Outdoor Lighting Forum Annual Awards Luncheon, City Park Grill, Petoskey
May 4, 8-9:30pm First Saturday Stargazing Series: Astrophotography
June 1, 9-10pm First Saturday Stargazing Series: The Ten Chief Ecliptic Stars
June 21, 8-10pm Summer's First Sunset Storytelling and Stargazing
July 6, 9-11pm First Saturday Stargazing Series: On Telescopes and Horoscopes
July 20, 9-10:30pm Astronomy of the Great Lakes and Native Star Tales
July 29, 9-11pm Meteor Shower Picnic Under the Stars
August 12, 8:30-10:30pm Picnic with the Perseids
September 21, 7:30-9:30pm What's in a name?
October 26, 8-10pm 5th Annual Headlands Challenge! and Triple Fright Night in Northern Emmet County
November 2, 6:30-8:30pm So You Want To Be An Astronomer?
December 20, 6-8pm Women in the Stars