A place dark enough to see the Milky Way

In the flat farm country of southwest Lenawee County, near the Ohio line, the Lake Hudson Recreation Area holds a rare distinction: in 1993 it became Michigan’s first dark-sky preserve. It happened under a brand-new state law — the first in the country to create such a thing — meant to keep a patch of land dark enough for people to actually see the night sky.

Out here, away from city glare, the stars come out in force, and on a clear night you can see the Milky Way and watch meteor showers. The park keeps its few lights shielded and pointed down so they don’t wash out the sky. By day it’s a quiet spot built around a man-made lake — camping, a beach, a boat launch, and some of the best muskie fishing in the region. The park sometimes hosts night-sky events with telescopes; bring your own gear if you want a closer look. It’s a Michigan state park near Clayton; a Recreation Passport gets your car in.