The Ultimate Guide To Michigan Lighthouses
Michigan, home to 154 lighthouses, is the Lighthouse Capital of the Nation!
Surrounded by four great lakes and over three-thousand miles of pristine shoreline, no wonder Michigan boasts the most lighthouses of any state in the US!
Michigan’s geographical terrain consists of two separate peninsulas surrounded by four great lakes – (1) The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, also popularly known as Up North, Upper Michigan, or simply UP, is the uppermost peninsula, and (2) The Lower Peninsula, also known as lower Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac and connected via the Mackinac Bridge.
The massive number of lighthouses in Michigan is no coincidence! In the 1800s, Michigan’s Great Lakes served as primary routes for ships carrying lumber, coal, and ore to other parts of the nation. However, unlike ocean coasts, which are relatively predictable, smooth, and uniform, shorelines pose a more significant threat to ships due to their erratic nature. Seeing the rise in the number of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, more than 150 lighthouses were built in Michigan to aid maritime navigation.
Though few lighthouses in Michigan were destroyed, and some are no longer active, there are several spectacular operational lighthouses in Michigan, still guarding the shoreline and telling the tales of the past!
Fort Gratiot Light, located in Port Huron, South East Michigan, was the first lighthouse built in Michigan in 1825, followed by several other lighthouses constructed along Michigan’s rugged shoreline. The total number of lighthouses ever built in Michigan and officially identified by the US Coast Guard is about 154, of which 96 lighthouses are still active, a few were preserved and converted into Museums, and the rest were destroyed or closed. However, not all operational lighthouses in Michigan are easily accessible or artistically built, as few are situated offshore, just as concrete pillars, purely serving their purpose.
Here is my ultimate guide to Michigan lighthouses listing the must-see & awe-inspiring lighthouses in mainland Michigan organized by their location, including the spectacular Lower Michigan & Upper Michigan lighthouses!
Lighthouses In the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan’s Lower Peninsula Lighthouse Map
Michigan, the 11th largest state of the nation by area, is huge, and given the several spectacular lighthouses scattered throughout its upper & lower peninsulas, it can be overwhelming when planning a Michigan lighthouse trip. To simplify things, I have organized my ultimate guide to Michigan lighthouses by location, including the must-see mainland Michigan lighthouses in Lower Michigan and Upper Michigan.
While I have only highlighted and captured the most stunning Michigan lighthouses in this article, there are several other awe-inspiring things to see in Michigan, especially along its beautiful shoreline. So, I recommend adding a few other Michigan attractions along the lighthouses when planning your Michigan lighthouse trip. You can find other major Michigan attractions in my Ultimate Guide to West Michigan, Ultimate Guide to Mackinac Island, and Ultimate Guide to Detroit.
Here are the must-see lighthouses in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, starting on the southwest corner and then traversing in a clockwise direction to the southeast corner of Lower Michigan!
St. Joseph North Pier Inner & Outer Lights
St. Joseph North Pier Inner & Outer Lights
Located on the southwest corner of Lower Michigan, at the junction of the St. Joseph River & Lake Michigan, right across Chicago, the St. Joseph Light Station was first built in 1832, later replaced with the current North Pier Inner & Outer range light system in 1906-1907. Guided St. Joseph North Pier lighthouse tours are offered in the summer.
South Haven Lighthouse
South Haven Lighthouse
The iconic red South Haven Pierhead Lighthouse, located on Water St, South Haven, where the Black River meets Lake Michigan, was built in 1872 and is still operational. Though the initial wooden light tower was later replaced, in 1903, with a cast iron lighthouse, the original catwalk and keeper’s house still exist today.
Grand Haven South Pier Inner & Outer Lights
Grand Haven South Pier Inner & Outer Lights
One of the most photographed lighthouses on the western shore of Michigan, the Grand Haven South Pierhead Lighthouse was built in 1839 on the South Pier of Grand Haven. It features two lights, the inner and the outer lights, connected via a lighted catwalk and an adjacent Boardwalk, excellent for a lake-side stroll & photographing the lighthouse.
Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse
Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse
Established in 1851 on the harbor of Muskegon, in Western Michigan, the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse was originally a wooden structure, replaced by the current steel tower in 1903, but still houses the original lantern room from its early days. Muskegonlights.org offers lighthouse tours & special events from Memorial Day – Labor Day.
White River Lighthouse
White River Lighthouse
Sitting on a small peninsula between White Lake and Lake Michigan in Whitehall, West Michigan, the White River Lighthouse was built in 1875 using limestone and is among the few lighthouses with the keeper’s quarters attached to the light tower. It features a museum and offers access to the top of the light tower.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Little Sable Point Lighthouse, located in Silver Lake State Park, Mears, West Michigan, rising from the sand dunes with the backdrop of sparkling blue water, is a gorgeous 107 feet tall red brick tower constructed in 1874 and was originally called “Petite Pointe Au Sable Lighthouse.” It features a lovely beach and seasonal lighthouse tours.
Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse
Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse
The steel-plated, white, pyramid-shaped light tower of Ludington North Breaker Lighthouse makes it a structurally unique lighthouse of Michigan, located in Ludington, West Michigan, constructed at the junction of Pere Marquette River & Lake Michigan in 1971. Ludington lighthouse tours are available from May through September.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse
Big Sable Point Lighthouse
The iconic 112 feet tall, black & white striped light tower, with a keeper’s quarter with a red roof amid sand dunes, the Big Sable Point Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Michigan. Located in Ludington State Park, the lighthouse is accessible via a 3.6-mile roundtrip hike or seasonal busses from the parking lot.
Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse, a white cylindrical light tower built of cast iron, is the more aesthetically pleasing of Manistee’s two Pierhead Lights. Two light towers were built in Manistee, one on the south & one on its north pier, in 1870 but were destroyed once in the devastating fire of 1871, and since then, moved and rebuilt several times.
Point Betsie Lighthouse
Point Betsie Lighthouse
One of Michigan’s most visually pleasing & iconic lighthouses, Point Betsie Light, built in 1858, has always been on magazine covers and is very popular with photographers. The lighthouse offers seasonal self-guided tours featuring the original keeper’s quarters, fog signal building, a boathouse museum, & stunning Point Betsie beach.
Manning Memorial Lighthouse
Manning Memorial Lighthouse
Manning Memorial Light, also known as Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse, constructed in 1990, is the second newest light tower and one of the only three memorial lighthouses in Michigan. Though there are no tours or access to the light tower, this cute lighthouse and the adjacent Empire Beach and Bluff are worth visiting.
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Located on the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Northport, Northwest Michigan, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse was a critical navigational aid and marker for ships entering the Grand Traverse Bay. The original lighthouse, built in 1958, was replaced in 1852 with the current iconic white building & red roof, now a museum.
Mission Point Lighthouse
Mission Point Lighthouse
Just a few miles north of Traverse City, at the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, is the Mission Point Lighthouse that guarded the bay from 1870 through 1933. Though the lighthouse is no longer active, it offers access to the light tower & features a museum, a gift shop, historic log cabins, & several miles of hiking trails along the shoreline.
Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse
Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse
Charlevoix’s original lighthouse was built on its North Pier in 1884, which was later replaced by the current unique fire-red color steel structure in the South Pier, which houses the original lamp & lantern. The light is accessible via a catwalk, and while in the area, one can enjoy the sandy beaches & marvel at Charlevoix’s Mushroom house.
Petoskey Pierhead Lighthouse
Petoskey Pierhead Lighthouse
Though not the most awe-inspiring lighthouse, the white cylindrical Petoskey Pierhead Lighthouse, first built in 1899 and later renewed in 1930, is worth a visit when in Petoskey, especially to enjoy a stroll along its newly paved catwalk leading to the light tower, offering great views of the bay with the backdrop of the city.
McGulpin Point Lighthouse
McGulpin Point Lighthouse
Located in Mackinaw City, the McGulpin Point Lighthouse protected the vessels in the Straits of Mackinaw from 1869 – 1906 and was later purchased & opened to the public by Emmet County in 2009. The lighthouse offers tours, overnight accommodations, the historic Big Rock, & stunning coastline with vistas of Mackinac Bridge.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Sitting on the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, just east of Mackinac Bridge, the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse served as an essential navigational aid in the Straits of Mackinaw from 1892 – 1957 and now is a celebrated museum featuring tours, access to the light tower, and the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum.
Cheboygan Crib Light
Cheboygan Crib Light
Originally built in 1884 on a wooden crib, 600 miles from the shores of the Cheboygan River, the Cheboygan Crib Light was a kerosene-fired light that required its keeper to sail out to the crib every day to light the lamp. In 1980 the light was severely damaged, & in 1984 the light was moved to its current location in Gordon Turner Park, Cheboygan.
Forty Mile Point Lighthouse
Forty Mile Point Lighthouse
Named after its location, 40 miles southeast of the Old Mackinaw Point Lighthouse & 40 miles northwest of Thunder Bay, the Forty Mile Point Lighthouse has been guarding the northern shoreline of Lake Huron since 1896. The lighthouse is now part of the Presque Isle County’s Lighthouse Park in Rogers City, Michigan.
New Presque Isle Lighthouse
New Presque Isle Lighthouse
Constructed in 1870 to replace the old Presque Isle Lighthouse, the New Presque Isle Lighthouse is the tallest light tower of the Great Lakes that is open to the public. Located in the northern Presque Isle Peninsula, the New Presque Isle Lighthouse features a museum, a gift shop, and access to the light tower from spring through fall.
Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
One of the oldest Lighthouses in Michigan, Old Presque Isle Light was built in 1840 & served as a navigation aid at the entrance of Presque Isle Bay until 1870. Located on the southern end of Presque Isle Peninsula, the lighthouse now offers access to the light tower, a museum/gift shop, and a historic clock tower bell from the Old City Hall at Lansing.
Presque Isle Front Range Light
Presque Isle Front Range Light
Often overshadowed by the New & Old Presque Isle Lights, the Presque Isle Front Range Light is a small 25-foot wooden tower built in 1840 to serve as both a coastal & a harbor light. The Light, part of Range Light Park, features a historical marker, a boardwalk, picnic areas, & a statue of Anna Garrity, one of the few female lighthouse keepers in the US.
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse
Sturgeon Point Lighthouse
One of the finest examples of a Cape Cod-style lighthouse on the shores of the Great Lakes, the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse was built in 1870 and is still operational, protecting vessels from a reef extending 1.5 miles from Sturgeon Point in Alcona County, northwest Michigan. The lighthouse offers a gift shop & seasonal access to the light tower.
Tawas Point Lighthouse
Tawas Point Lighthouse
Located in Tawas Point State Park, Tawas Point Light is a very popular & picturesque lighthouse in Michigan, featuring a museum, hiking trails, campsites, & stunning coastal views. The original light, built in 1853, severely deteriorated, & shifting sand pushed it inland, making it hardly visible, which was replaced by the current light in 1876.
Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse
Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse
The French name “Pointe aux Barques” translates to “Point of little boats,” indicative of a shallow coastline and hence the lighthouse as a navigational aid to the larger vessels traversing Lake Huron. The lighthouse was constructed in 1848 and is still operational, making it one of the oldest working lighthouses in Michigan.
Harbor Beach Lighthouse
Harbor Beach Lighthouse
Protecting the harbor of Harbor Beach, the largest man-made freshwater harbor in the world, the Harbor Beach Lighthouse & the breakwall has been safeguarding the shores of Lake Huron and offering refuge to several vessels since 1877. The current structure replaced the old light in 1885 and is accessible via guided boat tours.
Port Sanilac Lighthouse
Port Sanilac Lighthouse
A gorgeous white-brick octagonal-shaped light tower with contrasting red-brick keeper’s quarters, the Port Sanilac Lighthouse has been an active aid to navigation since 1886. The lighthouse is privately owned, but the owners are kind enough to allow seasonal tours, and it can also be viewed from the adjacent parking lot & breakwater.
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
Michigan’s first lighthouse, Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, was originally built in 1825 and later replaced with a newer light tower in 1829. It’s still an active lighthouse marking the head of the St. Clair River from Lake Huron. Now part of the Port Huron Museum, it features guided tours, a museum, and a public beach & park.
Huron Lightship
Huron Lightship
Lightships, one of the finest examples of ingenuity, are floating lighthouses serving deep waters where building a regular lighthouse is impossible. The US Lightship Huron was the last operating lightship of the Great Lakes, which after serving for 50 years since 1920, is now a museum and a National Historic Landmark.
William Livingstone Memorial Light
William Livingstone Memorial Light
Located in Belle Isle, the globe’s only all-marble light tower, William Livingstone Memorial Light is Michigan’s one of the two memorial lighthouses dedicated to William Livingstone, president of the Lake Carriers Association. The interior of the light tower is inaccessible, but a short walk from the parking offers excellent vistas of this marvel.
Milliken State Park Lighthouse
Milliken State Park Lighthouse
Renamed to “Tri-Centennial Light of Detroit” as a tribute to the 300th anniversary of the founding of Detroit, the Milliken State Park Lighthouse is a scaled-down replica of the Tawas Point Lighthouse, built in 1876. The lighthouse is located in the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, a public park in Downtown Detroit.
Lighthouses In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Lighthouse Map
While the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is smaller than Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, it’s still huge and is home to unfathomably beautiful and pristine nature! The Upper Peninsula, surrounded by three great lakes – Lake Michigan on its south, Lake Superior on its north, and Lake Huron on its southeast, is home to several miles of gorgeous shoreline and stunning lighthouses. This section covers all mainland lighthouses in Upper Michigan that are easily accessible and worth seeing when visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Though this article is only about the lighthouses in Michigan, there are several other spectacular sights in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including Mackinac Island, Pictured Rocks, Copper Harbor, and more. I recommend adding a few other Upper Michigan attractions when planning your Upper Peninsula lighthouse trip. You can find other major Upper Michigan attractions in my Ultimate Guide to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Here are the must-see lighthouses in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, starting on the southwest corner and then traversing in a clockwise direction to the southeast corner of Upper Michigan!
St. Helena Lighthouse
St. Helena Lighthouse
Located on the uninhabited St. Helena Island, about 2 miles offshore from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the St Helena Light, built in 1873, is one of the remaining structures of St. Helena Island, once home to a thriving community. You can see the lighthouse from the mainland or take seasonal boat tours to the island.
Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse
Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse
The Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse in Schoolcraft County, in the southern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, was built in 1895 and continues to serve as an active navigational aid, now using fully automated LED lights. The lighthouse offers tours and an onsite museum from Memorial Day through mid-October.
Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse
Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse
Listed as a National Historic Place, the Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse was built in 1915 to aid the vessels entering & leaving the Manistique harbor when the timber & iron industry was in boom. You can’t access the light tower’s interior but can walk the catwalk to get a closer look at this red pyramidal-shaped bolted cast iron lighthouse.
Peninsula Point Lighthouse
Peninsula Point Lighthouse
Protecting the vessels sailing from the ports of Escanaba and Gladstone from a hazardous shoal, the Peninsula Point Lighthouse, located on the tip of Stonington Peninsula, was in operation from 1865 – 1936. Besides the lighthouse, Peninsula Point is also famous for birding, monarch butterfly migration in September, and its beach.
Sand Point Lighthouse
Sand Point Lighthouse
Located in Ludington Park, Escanaba, the Sand Point Lighthouse has been a navigational aid since 1868, warning ships off Sand Point and a sand reef extending into Little Bay De Noc. The lighthouse is open to the public from Memorial Day Weekend through September, featuring a museum and access to the light tower.
Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
Menominee North Pier Lighthouse
Situated close to Wisconsin-Upper Michigan’s southern state border, the Menominee North Pier Light marks the junction of the Menominee River and Lake Michigan. The original light, built in 1877, was replaced by the current remarkable red octagonal cast-iron light in 1927 and is still an active aid to navigation.
Ontonagon Lighthouse
Ontonagon Lighthouse
The Ontonagon Lighthouse & the Ontonagon West Pierhead Light are both located on the shores of Lake Superior, in Ontonagon, northwest part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. While the Pierhead Light is open to the public, the Ontonagon Lighthouse is surrounded by private properties and is accessible only via guided tours.
Keweenaw Waterway Upper Lighthouse
Keweenaw Waterway Upper Lighthouse
Listed as a National Historic Place, the Keweenaw Waterway Upper Lighthouse, marking the entry of the Portage River, sits in McLain State Park, northwest UP. The current white concrete light tower, built in 1950, replaced the first lighthouse constructed in 1874. The rock-bed breakwater leads to the light tower for a close-up view.
Eagle River Lighthouse
Eagle River Lighthouse
Located on a sand bluff overlooking Lake Superior in Keweenaw Peninsula, Upper Michigan, the Eagle River Lighthouse was built in 1857 and was operational until 1908. The lighthouse is no longer in service, is now privately owned, and is not open to the public. You can view it from the road, but please be respectful of the owner’s privacy.
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
The picturesque & Historic Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, located in Eagle Harbor, Keweenaw, UP, was originally built in 1851, later replaced with the existing structure in 1871, and is still an operational lighthouse. The top of the tower is not accessible, but it features a museum and a wooden overlook offering dramatic shoreline vistas.
Copper Harbor Lighthouse
Copper Harbor Lighthouse
Located inside Fort Wilkins Historic State Park in Keweenaw Peninsula, Upper Michigan, the historic Copper Harbor Lighthouse was constructed in 1866 to help vessels carrying copper from the Upper Peninsula. The lighthouse features a museum and a few other structures but is only accessible via boat tours during summer.
Mendota Lighthouse
Mendota Lighthouse
Privately owned active navigational aid, Mendota Lighthouse has quite a history – first built in 1869 to help vessels travel between Lake Superior and Lac La Belle, soon abandoned and re-established in 1933, & finally decommissioned in 1956. The lighthouse & its grounds are not open to the public but can be viewed from across the Mendota Canal.
Portage River Lighthouse
Portage River Lighthouse
Located at the Portage River & Lake Superior junction, the Portage River Lighthouse, also known as Jacobsville Lighthouse, was constructed in 1870 and was operational until 1920. The lighthouse is now privately owned but can be seen from outside, but please be respectful of the owner’s privacy and do not trespass.
Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry Light
Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry Light
The unique & gorgeous tall steel octagonal Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry Light, situated at the end of a concrete walkway, was constructed in 1920 to mark the mouth of the Portage River in Torch Lake Township, Upper Michigan. The Light tower is not accessible, but the breakwater and adjacent beach are open to the public.
Sand Point Lighthouse
Sand Point Lighthouse, Baraga
Located on the west side of Keweenaw Bay, Baraga, the Sand Point Lighthouse was built in 1878 and was operational until 1922, when it was replaced with an automated steel skeletal light tower. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lighthouse features a campground and access to the outer area of the lighthouse.
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
The Marquette Harbor Lighthouse, an active lighthouse in Marquette Harbor, was originally built in 1853, but soon the structure deteriorated and was replaced in 1866 with the current lighthouse. The Marquette Maritime Museum offers seasonal guided lighthouse tours from mid-May through mid-October.
Grand Island Harbor Range Lights
Grand Island Harbor Range Lights
The Grand Harbor Range Lights were initially constructed in 1868 in addition to the Grand Island Lighthouse, a coast light located on the northern tip of Grand Island, to help vessels enter & leave the bottom of the bay. The Rear Range light tower, located off M-28 highway, is inactive but listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Munising Front Range Lighthouse
Munising Front Range Lighthouse
The Munising Front & Rear Range Lights were built in 1905 to replace the Grand Island East Channel Light, a wooden structure on the Grand Island that was difficult to maintain & not helpful for the vessels entering from the East Channel. The Front Range Light is located in Munising, off the M-28 highway, and can be seen from outside.
Au Sable Lighthouse
Au Sable Lighthouse
Located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Upper Michigan, the Au Sable Lighthouse was built in 1874 to warn off vessels of the shallow hazardous Au Sable Point reef extending a mile into Lake Superior. The Light is an active aid to navigation and is open to the public but is accessible only via a 3-mile roundtrip hike.
Whitefish Point Lighthouse
Whitefish Point Lighthouse
The oldest lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Whitefish Point Lighthouse, located in the northeastern corner of the UP, was constructed in 1849 to warn off ships of the cape extending into Lake Superior, known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes.” The Lighthouse offers self-guided tours of the museum and other structures.
Point Iroquois Lighthouse
Point Iroquois Lighthouse
The iconic Point Iroquois Light, a cape-cod-style light station in Chippewa County, was built to help vessels navigate the Soo Locks, which enabled the ships to travel between Lake Superior & Lower Great Lakes. The first Light, built in 1856, was replaced by the current structure in 1870, deactivated in 1962, and is currently a museum.
Wawatam Lighthouse
Wawatam Lighthouse
Initially built as a tourist attraction in 1998 in Monroe, Lower Michigan, the Wawatam Lighthouse was moved to downtown St. Ignace, where it was re-lighted in 2006 as a fully functional lighthouse serving its actual purpose since then. The Lighthouse is located at the end of the Huron Boardwalk, next to Wawatam Park, St. Ignace.
There you have it, my ultimate guide to all mainland Michigan Lighthouses, which are easily accessible or visible from the mainland and are absolutely worth the visit!
However, do note that there are a few other lighthouses in Michigan located off the coast, in islands, or in locations that are pretty difficult to access, which I haven’t visited, photographed, and so haven’t included in my list.
I would also like to emphasize that a few Lighthouses in Michigan are now privately owned and are not accessible to the public. I have taken extra care while photographing such lighthouses by staying out of private properties and using telephoto lenses to capture the photos. I encourage you to do the same.
Interesting Facts & Frequently Asked Questions about Michigan Lighthouses
Here are some interesting facts and answers to some of the commonly asked questions about 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.
List of Must-See & Easily Accessible Michigan Lighthouses
Here is the list of the must-see lighthouses in Michigan, along with the addresses & other relevant information for planning your perfect Michigan lighthouse trip!
PeninsulaLcoationLakeLighthouse NameStatusAddressAccessibilityLower MichiganSouth WestLake MichiganSt. Joseph North Pier Inner & Outer LightsActiveSt.Joseph North Pier, Saint Joseph, MI 49085Open to the public, with seasonal guided interior toursLower MichiganSouth WestLake MichiganSouth Haven LighthouseActiveSouth Haven Lighthouse, Water St, South Haven, MI 49090Open to the public, with no access to the top or interior of the light towerLower MichiganSouth WestLake MichiganGrand Haven South Pier Inner & Outer LightsActiveGrand Haven Beach, Grand Haven, MI 49417Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the lighthouseLower MichiganWestLake MichiganMuskegon South Pierhead LighthouseActive1431 Beach St, Muskegon, MI 49441Open to the public, with seasonal guided light tower toursLower MichiganWestLake MichiganWhite River LighthouseInactive / Museum6199 Murray Rd, Whitehall, MI 49461Open to the public, with seasonal access to the museum & light towerLower MichiganWestLake MichiganLittle Sable Point LighthouseActive287 N Lighthouse Dr, Mears, MI 49436Open to the public, with seasonal access to the light towerLower MichiganWestLake MichiganLudington North Breakwater LighthouseActiveLudington Skate Park, Ludington, MI 49431Open to the public, with seasonal access to the light towerLower MichiganWestLake MichiganBig Sable Point LighthouseActive8800 W M-116, Ludington, MI 49431Open to the public, with seasonal access to the lighthouse, 3.6 miles roundtrip hikeLower MichiganWestLake MichiganManistee North Pierhead LighthouseActive42-98 N Lakeshore Dr, Manistee, MI 49660Open to the public, with no access to the top or interior of the light towerLower MichiganWestLake MichiganPoint Betsie LighthouseActive3701 Point Betsie Rd, Frankfort, MI 49635Open to the public, with seasonal guided interior toursLower MichiganNorth WestLake MichiganManning Memorial LighthouseActiveRobert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse, Lake Michigan Dr, Empire, MI 49630Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the lighthouseLower MichiganNorth WestLake MichiganGrand Traverse LighthouseInactive / Museum15500 Lighthouse Point Rd, Northport, MI 49670Open to the public, with seasonal interior toursLower MichiganNorth WestLake MichiganMission Point LighthouseInactive20500 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganNorth WestLake MichiganCharlevoix South Pier LighthouseActive2 Grant St, Charlevoix, MI 49720Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the lighthouseLower MichiganNorth WestLake MichiganPetoskey Pierhead LighthouseActivePetoskey Bayfront Lighthouse, Petoskey, MI 49770Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the lighthouseLower MichiganNorthLake MichiganMcGulpin Point LighthouseActive500 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganNorthLake Michigan – Lake HuronOld Mackinac Point LighthouseInactive526 N Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701Open to the public, with seasonal & limited pre-scheduled interior toursLower MichiganNorthLake HuronCheboygan Crib LightInactiveGordon Turner Park, 1101-1183 N Huron St, Cheboygan, MI 49721Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the lighthouseLower MichiganNorth EastLake HuronForty Mile Point LighthouseActiveForty Mile Point Light, US-23, Rogers City, MI 49779Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganNorth EastLake HuronNew Presque Isle LighthouseActive4500 E Grand Lake Rd, Presque Isle, MI 49777Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganNorth EastLake HuronOld Presque Isle LighthouseInactive / Museum5295 E Grand Lake Rd, Presque Isle, MI 49777Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganNorth EastLake HuronPresque Isle Front Range LightInactive5827 E Grand Lake Rd, Presque Isle, MI 49777Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the lighthouseLower MichiganEastLake HuronSturgeon Point LighthouseActive6071 Point Rd, Harrisville, MI 48740Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganEastLake HuronTawas Point LighthouseInactive / Museum583-1199 Tawas Beach and Point Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganEastLake HuronPointe aux Barques LighthouseActive7320 Lighthouse Rd, Port Hope, MI 48468Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganEastLake HuronHarbor Beach LighthouseActive1 Ritchie Dr, Harbor Beach, MI 48441Open to the public, with seasonal guided exterior boat toursLower MichiganEastLake HuronPort Sanilac LighthouseActive85 S Lake St, Port Sanilac, MI 48469Privately owned, with seasonal guided tours, but can be viewed from outside the fenceLower MichiganSouth EastLake HuronFort Gratiot LighthouseActive2802 Omar St, Port Huron, MI 48060Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganSouth EastLake HuronHuron LightshipInactive / Museum800 Prospect Pl, Port Huron, MI 48060Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursLower MichiganSouth EastDetroit RiverWilliam Livingstone Memorial LightActive100 Lakeside Dr, Detroit, MI 48207Open to the public, with no access to the light towerLower MichiganSouth EastDetroit RiverMilliken State Park LighthouseActive1900 Atwater St. Detroit, MI 48207Open to the public, with no access to the light towerUpper MichiganSouth EastLake MichiganSt. Helena LighthouseActiveSt. Helena Island. Several viewpoints on the mainland along the Gros Cap Rd, St Ignace, MIDistant views from the mainland or seasonal island boat tours to get up-closeUpper MichiganSouthLake MichiganSeul Choix Pointe LighthouseActive905 S Seul Choix, Pointe Road, Gulliver, MI 49840Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursUpper MichiganSouthLake MichiganManistique East Breakwater LighthouseActiveCarl Bradley Park Board Walk, 6788W E Lake Shore Dr, Manistique, MI 49854Open to the public, with no access to the light towerUpper MichiganSouthLake MichiganPeninsula Point LighthouseInactive3722 County 513 T Rd, Rapid River, MI 49878Open to the public, with year-round access to the light tower, Requires driving on a small stretch of dirt roadUpper MichiganSouthLake MichiganSand Point LighthouseInactive / Museum2-20 Water Plant Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursUpper MichiganSouth WestLake MichiganMenominee North Pier LighthouseActiveMenominee North Pier Lighthouse, Harbor Dr, Menominee, MI 49858Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorOntonagon LighthouseInactive999 Lighthouse Lane, Ontonagon, MI 49953Privately owned, with seasonal guided tours, but can be viewed from outside the fenceUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorKeweenaw Waterway Upper LighthouseActiveMcLain State Park, 18350 M-203, Hancock, MI 49930Open to the public, with no access to the interior of the light towerUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorEagle River LighthouseInactiveEagle River Lighthouse, Mohawk, MI 49950Privately owned, not open to the public, can be viewed from outside the fenceUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorEagle Harbor LighthouseActive670 Lighthouse Rd, Eagle Harbor, MI 49950Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorCopper Harbor LighthouseActiveAstor Shipwreck Park, Mohawk, MI 49950Open to the public, with seasonal guided boat tours, can be viewed from mainlandUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorMendota LighthouseActiveBete Grise (Mendota) Lighthouse, Mohawk, MI 49950Privately owned, not open to the public, can be viewed from outside the fenceUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorPortage River LighthouseInactive38741 Jacobs St, Lake Linden, MI 49945Privately owned, not open to the public, can be viewed from outside the fenceUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorKeweenaw Waterway Lower Entry LightActiveKeweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light, White City Rd, Chassell, MI 49916Open to the public, with no access to the light tower, requires driving on a small stretch of dirt roadUpper MichiganNorth WestLake SuperiorSand Point LighthouseInactiveSand Point Lighthouse, Light House Rd, Baraga, MI 49908Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursUpper MichiganNorthLake SuperiorMarquette Harbor LighthouseActive300 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855Open to the public, with seasonal guided interior toursUpper MichiganNorthLake SuperiorGrand Island Harbor Range LightsInactiveE10102 M-28, Munising, MI 49862Open to the public, with periodic light tower toursUpper MichiganNorthLake SuperiorMunising Front Range LighthouseActive503 W Munising Ave, Munising, MI 49862Open to the public, with no access to the light towerUpper MichiganNorthLake SuperiorAu Sable LighthouseActiveAu Sable Light Station, Burt Township, MI 49883Open to the public, with no access to the light towerUpper MichiganNorth EastLake SuperiorWhitefish Point LighthouseActive18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise, MI 49768Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior tours, requires a 3-mile roundtrip hikeUpper MichiganNorth EastLake SuperiorPoint Iroquois LighthouseInactivePoint Iroquois, 13042-13260 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715Open to the public, with seasonal self-guided interior toursUpper MichiganSouth EastLake MichiganWawatam LighthouseActiveWawatam Lighthouse, 251 S, N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781Open to the public, with no access to the light tower
Other Michigan Attractions & Related Posts
I hope you enjoyed reading the post, The Ultimate Guide To Michigan Lighthouses, and I hope this will help you plan your perfect Michigan Lighthouse trip. You will also find other spectacular Michigan attractions in my Michigan Travel Guide.
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This Blogpost is originally from The Ultimate Guide To Michigan Lighthouses and written by Travel The Food For The Soul