S.S. Badger car ferry to resume Lake Michigan crossing after winter break

The S.S. Badger Car Ferry will resume it’s daily trek, carting people and vehicles across Lake Michigan this Friday, May 16th. The ship halts the trip for the winter months.

Built and launched in 1952, the Badger began daily service on March 21, of 1953, hauling up to 600 passengers, and 180 automobiles, tour buses, RVs, motorcycles, and commercial trucks across Lake Michigan from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan.

Bypassing the sometimes grueling trip around the southern end of Lake Michigan, which brings travelers through Chicago, the 410 foot long, 59 foot wide ship offers a much more calmer trip to Michigan.

Travelers can take in a four hour cruise while taking advantage of the ships Outside deck areas, two dining areas, private staterooms, two lounge areas, a children’s playroom, gift shop, museum, quiet areas, two free TV lounges, and a free movie lounge.

The ship is powered by two Skinner Unaflow four-cylinder, coal burning steam engines rated at 3,500 horsepower a piece, which propels the ship at up to 18 mph.

The ship runs the daily trip back and forth once a day, leaving Ludington at 9 AM and arriving in Manitowoc at noon, then heading back from Manitowoc at 2 PM, arriving back in Ludington at 7 PM. The ship travels between the Central and Eastern Time zone which accounts for the different lengths of time it takes to complete each trip.

If you aren’t travelling to Michigan, but just want to experience the trip, you can buy round trip mini cruise tickets as well as all other fares buy visiting the ships website at ssbadger.com