The Ultimate Guide To Michigan Lighthouses

Well, the answer is a little complicated and confusing as different sources state different numbers, so I have used the data from an official list of Michigan Lighthouses identified by the US Coast Gaurd for my calculations, and here are a few interesting facts about Michigan Lighthouses – 

The total number of lighthouses ever built in Michigan – 154

Active lighthouses in Michigan – 96Inactive lighthouses in Michigan – 37Destroyed lighthouses in Michigan – 23

Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state in the US, and this is no coincidence!

Michigan’s geographical terrain consists of two peninsulas surrounded by four great lakes – Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Erie. Though they are called lakes, these water bodies are massive, so better we refer to them as “Great Lakes.”

These Great Lakes of Michigan, since the 1800s, have served as a busy highway for ships carrying lumber, ore, and coal to the other parts of the nation. Unlike ocean coasts, which are more uniform and predictable, the lake shores are more rugged, with shallow reefs posing a more significant threat to the vessels.

These dangers and threats posed by the shores of the Great Lakes soon became prominent with the growing number of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Over 6,000 vessels have been lost on the 5 Great Lakes, of which 1,500 shipwrecks happened in Michigan waters.

The government swiftly prioritized the construction of several lighthouses along the shores of Michigan to reduce the loss of life, property, and cargo caused by the shipwrecks. That’s why Michigan soon became the lighthouse capital of the nation with 154 lighthouses, which is more than any other state in the US.

The accessibility of the lighthouses in Michigan depends on two factors – (1) Location of the lighthouse and (2) Ownership of the lighthouse. While the majority of lighthouses in Michigan are open to the public, there are a few exceptions based on their location and ownership.

Location

Michigan Mainland Lighthouses: Most lighthouses in Michigan are located on the mainland and easily accessible via automobile. However, be prepared to drive through dirt roads and do some hiking.

Total number of Michigan mainland lighthouses that are easily accessible – 53

Lower Michigan – 31Upper Michigan – 22

Michigan Remote / Off-Shore Lighthouses: Some Michigan lighthouses are located off the coast, on remote islands, which can only be accessed by sailing to those isolated areas.

Total number of remote Michigan lighthouses that are difficult to access – 31 

Lake Michigan – 10Lake Huron – 9Lake Superior – 12

Ownership

While most of the lighthouses in Michigan are owned and operated by government bodies, like the US Coast Guard, National Park Services, City, and charitable organizations, there are a few lighthouses that were sold by the state of Michigan and are now privately owned. Some owners allow access to the public, but some privately owned lighthouses are no more open to the public. Please check the details about each lighthouse in my article, where I have clearly identified such privately owned lighthouses.

There are about 31 remote lighthouses in Michigan, located off the coast on islands or reefs, and can be accessed or viewed only by sailing out onto the Great Lakes. Here is the list of all remote lighthouses in Michigan by their location – 

Remote lighthouses in Lake Michigan – 10

Beaver Island Lighthouse St. James Harbor Light South Fox Island Old LighthouseSouth Fox Island New LighthouseNorth Manitou Shoal LightSouth Manitou Island LighthousePoverty Island LightSt. Martin Island LighthouseSquaw Island LighthouseSt. Helena Island Lighthouse

Remote lighthouses in Lake Huron – 9

Round Island Passage Light (Huron)Round Island LightBois Blanc Island LighthouseMartin Reef LightSpectacle Reef LightDeTour Reef LightCharity Island LighthouseThunder Bay Island LightMiddle Island Light

Remote lighthouses in Lake Superior – 12

Grand Island East Channel LightGrand Island North Light Grand Island Harbor Rear Range LightGranite Island LighthouseStannard Rock LightHuron Island LighthouseManitou Island LighthouseGull Rock LightRock Of Ages LightIsle Royale Menagerie Island LightRock Harbor LightPassage Island Lighthouse

The Stannard Rock Lighthouse in Lake Superior, approximately 24 miles from the nearest land mass, is the most remote lighthouse in the US. In fact, per the Guinness World Records, it’s the farthest staffed lighthouse, earning it the title – “The Loneliest Place in North America.”

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, originally constructed in 1825 and later replaced with the current structure in 1829, is Michigan’s first and oldest lighthouse.

The Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse in Thunder Bay Island, and the St. Joseph Lighthouse on the Western Lower Peninsula of Michigan, were both built in the same year, in 1832. Therefore, they are both considered to be among the oldest lighthouses in Michigan, coming in at the second position after Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, built in 1825.

The Wawatam Lighthouse in St. Ignace, built in 2006, is the newest lighthouse in Michigan. Initially, the steel structure of the lighthouse was created and situated in Monroe, Lower Michigan, as a tourist attraction. However, in 2006, the lighthouse was disassembled and transported in pieces to downtown St. Ignace, where it was reconstructed and re-illuminated, becoming a fully operational lighthouse that has been fulfilling its intended function ever since.

The Mariners Memorial (River Rouge) Light, built in 2003, and the Manning Memorial Light, constructed in 1990, are the two other newer lighthouses in Michigan.

Tallest Lighthouse in Michigan (Remote/Off the Coast): Remotely located off the coast in Lake Superior, the Rock of Ages Lighthouse in Eagle Harbor, Upper Michigan, measuring 137 feet tall, is the tallest lighthouse in Michigan.

2nd Tallest Lighthouse in Michigan (Remote/Off the Coast): Also located off the coast, 20 miles west of Mackinac Bridge in Lake Michigan, measuring 121 feet tall, the White Shoal Light is the 2nd tallest lighthouse of Michigan.

3rd Tallest or The Tallest Mainland Michigan Lighthouse: The woofing 112 feet tall Big Sable Point Lighthouse comes 3rd in the race of the tallest lighthouses in Michigan, but it’s the tallest mainland lighthouse in Michigan.

While every lighthouse in Michigan is lovely and has a distinct character and story to tell, here are my top five picks for the most beautiful lighthouses in Michigan in terms of aesthetics and scenic appeal –

Point Betsie Lighthouse, Frankfort, Lower MichiganBig Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington, Lower MichiganPoint Iroquois Lighthouse, Chippewa County, Upper MichiganEagle Harbor Lighthouse, Eagle Harbor, Upper MichiganLittle Sable Point Lighthouse, Mears, Lower Michigan

Undoubtedly, the Point Betsie Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan! I guess you could tell that from the cover image of my post! The aesthetics of the red-roof, white brick masonry, blue water, and crashing waves against the concrete pavement are simply a photographer’s dream come true!

The lighthouses located on mainland Michigan are easy to access and therefore are the ones that attract the most visitors! However, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is more secluded and requires quite a bit of driving, so the lighthouse of Lower Michigan tends to get more tourists. 

Easily accessible lighthouses in Lower Michigan:

St. Joseph North Pier Inner & Outer LightsSouth Haven LighthouseGrand Haven South Pier Inner & Outer LightsMuskegon South Pierhead LighthouseWhite River LighthouseLittle Sable Point LighthouseLudington North Breakwater LighthouseBig Sable Point Lighthouse (Requires a 3.6 miles roundtrip hike)Manistee North Pierhead LighthousePoint Betsie LighthouseManning Memorial LighthouseGrand Traverse LighthouseMission Point LighthouseCharlevoix South Pier LighthousePetoskey Pierhead LighthouseMcGulpin Point LighthouseOld Mackinac Point LighthouseCheboygan Crib LightForty Mile Point LighthouseNew Presque Isle LighthouseOld Presque Isle LighthousePresque Isle Front Range LightSturgeon Point LighthouseTawas Point LighthousePointe aux Barques LighthouseHarbor Beach LighthousePort Sanilac LighthouseFort Gratiot LighthouseHuron LightshipWilliam Livingstone Memorial LightMilliken State Park Lighthouse

Easily accessible lighthouses in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan:

St. Helena Lighthouse (Distant views from the mainland or seasonal boat tours to get up-close)Seul Choix Pointe LighthouseManistique East Breakwater LighthousePeninsula Point Lighthouse (Requires driving on a small stretch of dirt road)Sand Point LighthouseMenominee North Pier LighthouseOntonagon Lighthouse (Privately owned, seasonal guided tours)Keweenaw Waterway Upper LighthouseEagle River Lighthouse (Privately owned)Eagle Harbor LighthouseCopper Harbor Lighthouse (Distant views from the mainland or seasonal boat tours to get up-close)Mendota Lighthouse (Privately owned)Portage River Lighthouse (Privately owned)Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry Light (Requires driving on a small stretch of dirt road)Sand Point LighthouseMarquette Harbor LighthouseGrand Island Harbor Range LightsMunising Front Range LighthouseAu Sable Lighthouse (Requires a 3-mile roundtrip hike)Whitefish Point LighthousePoint Iroquois LighthouseWawatam Lighthouse

Surprisingly, yes! There are a few lighthouses in Michigan that offer overnight stays, which is an unparalleled way to experience and relive history! Some Michigan lighthouses are now privately owned and operate independently as Bread & Breakfasts or Vacation Rentals. The rest of Michigan lighthouses offering overnight stays are available via the popular Lighthouse Keepers Program. However, these accommodations are seasonal and always in high demand, so you must plan and make your reservation in advance.

Michigan Lighthouse Bread and Breakfasts & Vacation Rentals:

Point Betsie Lighthouse, Frankfort, Lower MichiganMcGulpin Point Lighthouse, Mackinaw City, Lower MichiganCharity Island Lighthouse, Au Gres, Lower MichiganFort Gratiot Light, Port Huron, Lower Michigan (Group Stay / 20 people or more)Big Bay Point Lighthouse, Big Bay, Upper MichiganSand Hills Lighthouse Inn, Ahmeek, Upper MichiganEagle River Lighthouse, Mohawk, Upper MichiganPortage River / Jacobsville Lighthouse, Lake Linden, Upper MichiganWhite Shoal Lighthouse, Upper Michigan

Michigan Lighthouse Overnight Stays via Lighthouse Keepers Program:

Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport, Lower MichiganMission Point Lighthouse, Traverse City, Lower MichiganPointe Aux Barques Lighthouse, Port Hope, Lower MichiganTawas Point Lighthouse, Tawas, Lower MichiganBig Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington, Lower MichiganCheboygan River Front Range Lighthouse, Cheboygan, Lower MichiganForty Mile Point Lighthouse, Rogers City, Lower MichiganSouth Fox Island Lighthouse, Northport, Lower MichiganDeTour Reef Lighthouse, De Tour Village, Upper MichiganAu Sable Point Light Station, Burt Township, Upper MichiganCrisp Point Lighthouse, Newberry, Upper MichiganSt. Helena Island Lighthouse, St Ignace, Upper Michigan

While that’s a controversial topic, and I personally don’t believe in the paranormal, but rumors have it that a few of the Michigan lighthouses are still haunted by the unsettled spirits of its keepers & crews who died of tragic deaths while taking care of the lighthouse. Here are the lighthouses in Michigan that are said to be haunted – 

Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse, Port Hope, Lower Michigan: Reported sightings of a mourning woman dressed in black, thought to be the ghost of Catherine, the unfortunate widow of the lighthouse keeper who drowned in the lake. She also served as a keeper at the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse after her husband passed, before she resigned and died a year later. 

White River Light Station, Whitehall, Lower Michigan: Several reports of distinct walking noises induced by a cane and unexplained events at the White River Lighthouse is supposedly caused by the spirits of Captain William Robinson, the first keeper of the lighthouse, and his wife, whose love for the lighthouse made them return to the station even after their death.

Big Bay Point Lighthouse, Big Bay, Upper Michigan: The Big Bay Point Lighthouse is said to be haunted by the unsettled spirit of its first keeper’s son, who died after falling from the stairs at the lighthouse. 

Whitefish Point Lighthouse, Paradise, Upper Michigan: Whitefish Point, also known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes,” is infamous for its treacherous coastline, responsible for more than 200 shipwrecks claiming the lives of several sailors. It’s said that the restless spirits of those sailors have taken refuge in the Whitefish Point Lighthouse.

Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse, Gulliver, Upper Michigan: Regarded as Michigan’s most haunted lighthouse, Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse is supposedly a murder site of the unexplained death of its keeper, Joseph Willie Townshend, whose spirit is now said to be smoking cigars and wandering around the lighthouse.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse, Chippewa County, Upper Michigan: The Point Iroquois Lighthouse is said to be haunted by the unsettled souls of soldiers who died in 1662 in a war between Ojibwa & Iroquois tribes and the restless souls of sailors who died in an unfortunate shipwreck in 1919 when a steamer ship sank into the frozen Lake Superior.