at Buttersville
![[Buttersville & Pere Marquette Shrine]](bville.gif)
General Information
Buttersville
Buttersville is an 18.5 acre, state-licensed campground run by Pere Marquette Township. You can reserve the pavillion for picnics, take a beach walk, visit the Pere Marquette Shrine, or launch a small boat in Lake Michigan or Pere Marquette Lake
Camping
Camping- 44 camp sites with full hookups, shower building, first-come first serve, reasonable rates. Pere Marquette Township
Boat Launch
Lake Michigan- public access to Lake Michigan at sand parking area just past park entrance
Pere Marquette Lake- public access to Pere Marquette Lake located behind the Marquette Memorial. Paved ramps on each side of a dock
Picnicking
Picnic Area- just inside park entrance are tables and grills available for day use; the pavillion can be reserved
Playground
Playground- just inside park entrance- swings; natural sandy surface
Scenic Views
Lake Michigan- there are benches along the sandy bluff beside the campground where you can sit and watch the Ludington channel and lighthouse
Pere Marquette Lake- the best views of the Ludington Carferry docks can be had from the back side of the Pere Marquette Shrine.
Historic Site
Historic Site- One of the possible places for the death of explorer Marquette. Michigan Historical Marker.
Hiking
Buttersville Park Beach Loop
The description begins at the parking area on the beach 0.1 mile north of the actual entrance to Buttersville Park and proceeds south up the stairs to the top of the bluff. There are 74 steps of stable 8x8's set in the hill with good railings. The stairs make several turns. The trail continues straight along the top of the wooded dune with two side trails which take you to the edge of the bluff with nice views. After passing through a cut in the hills you will reach the campsite loops. Turn to your right and continue along the gravel drive. At the point where the two camping loops intersect, turn toward the bluff, and there is a set of steps leading straight down to the beach. There are 85 steps with a set of benches about halfway for resting or viewing sunsets. Turn north along the beach and return to the parking area. You can continue about 400 yards north beyond the parking area on the beach before reaching a private property boundary.
Access- Buttersville parking area open till dusk 1.2 miles north of Iris Road on paved Lakeshore Drive. Also parking for about 4 cars along road at base of Pere Marquette Shrine 0.5 miles farther.
Restrictions- In Park- No motorcycles inside gates, no alcoholic beverages 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., no fish cleaning, no fish guts in trash barrels, no hunting, no firearms.
Distance and time- 0.5 mile, it can be walked in 15 minutes, but this is a trail for viewing the lake, making footprints in the sand, and the gentle sound of waves. Spend at least 30 minutes. Mileage was measured by pacing at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- none
Condition of Marking- none, but easy to find the path
Treadway- loose and packed sand, gravel road through campground, stairs are solid with guardrails
Grades- two long sets of stairs, otherwise nearly flat
Ecosystem- wooded dune with oak on bluff, open beach on lower level
Other points of interest-
See the Ludington Lighthouse from the south side
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- March 2007
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Comment
Pere Marquette Shrine Walk
The description begins at the parking area on the beach 0.1 mile north of the actual entrance to Buttersville Park and proceeds north on the road to the Shrine. The Monument is at the top of a wooded hill on the east side of the road. There is a stone with a plaque at the spot where Marquette is supposed to have actually died and a Michigan Historical Marker. Turn and climb 41 cement steps to the top of the hill where there are more inscriptions about Marquette on the monument. There is a bench for resting halfway up the steps.
You could alternately walk about 100 yards farther north on the road and follow a grassy service drive to the top of the hill to make a more gradual climb to the top. There is no viable loop route back to the parking area because most of the point beyond the actual boundaries of Buttersville Park is privately owned.
Access- Buttersville parking area open till dusk 1.2 miles north of Iris Road on Lakeshore Drive. Also parking for about 4 cars along road at base of Pere Marquette Shrine 0.5 miles farther.
Restrictions- In Park- No motorcycles inside gates, no alcoholic beverages 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., no fish cleaning, no fish guts in trash barrels, no hunting, no firearms. Officially closed in winter.
Distance and time- 0.4 mile each direction, it can be walked in 15 minutes each way. Mileage was measured by pacing at which I am fairly accurate.
Trail Markers- follow Lakeshore Dr. north to the white cross
Condition of Marking- none, but easy to find
Treadway- paved road, no shoulder but not heavily travelled
Grades- road is flat, stairs or moderate grade to reach the shrine
Ecosystem- sandy spit separating Pere Marquette Lake from Lake Michigan, sparse trees, sand dunes
Other points of interest-
Michigan Historic Marker concerning Marquette
See the carferries at their docks, or better yet, time your walk to see them come in or go out. A most impressive sight! See more at Lake Michigan Carferries
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- March 2007
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Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Restrooms- Full rest room in summer
Potable Water- summer only
Details
Access- Buttersville parking area open till dusk 1.2 miles north of Iris Road on Lakeshore Drive. Also parking for about 4 cars along road at base of Pere Marquette Shrine 0.5 miles farther.
Restrictions- In Park- No motorcycles inside gates, no alcoholic beverages 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., no fish cleaning, no fish guts in trash barrels, no hunting, no firearms.
Additional Facilities- At Buttersville: Flush toilets and water in summer. 44 Camping sites some with RV hookups, Playground, Picnic Area with grills, Phone.
Seasonality- Officially closed in winter. You can still walk around, visit the shrine, access the beach.
Ecosystem- narrow spit of land separating Pere Marquette Lake from Lake Michigan. Dry oak woods at campground, sandy Lake Michigan Beach, shrine at mowed park area surrounded by private land on Pere Marquette Lake
Other points of interest- White Pine Village (Historical re-created village) is just down the road
Maintained by- Pere Marquette Township, call 231-845-1277
Pere Marquette Township web site
More- Pere Marquette Memorial 360 degree panoramic photo tour by Sid Sytsma
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