The Central West Michigan lakeshore includes Grand Haven, Holland, and Muskegon. Smaller destinations include Pentwater and Silver Lake.
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Photos by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the most scenic routes in the United States. As the name implies, the tour follows state highways around Lake Michigan, through Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The entire tour is an ambitious undertaking, so for planning purposes, and ease of travel, we are dividing the Lake Michigan Circle Tour into nine regions (details below), with links to the specific Lake Michigan destinations within each region.
Did you know? Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake with the entire lakeshore located in the United States. The other four Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie) share a shoreline with Canada.
How big is Lake Michigan? Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,404 square miles, and it’s the 5th largest lake in the world! Lake Michigan is so big, we divided it into nine travel regions, as shown below. Each region is uniquely different, though all have amazing beauty and some very cool attractions.
Southwest Michigan boasts the Silver Beach County Park with an historic merry-go-round along with the St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse.
Northern Michigan is a very popular destination and includes attractions like the Tunnel of Trees from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.
Northwest Michigan is all about small towns, big dunes, beautiful lakes, and the most scenic roads in between.
Big Sable Lighthouse in the Ludington State Park
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
Lake Michigan has over 100 lighthouses, so it’s easy to see why travelers interested in visiting lighthouses will love to explore the entire shoreline of Lake Michigan. The historical significance of lighthouses, as well as their various shapes and colors, make this a fascinating tour. From St. Joseph’s North Pier Light in southwestern Michigan all the way north to McGulpin Point Lighthouse at the Straits of Mackinac….the western coast of Michigan alone has about 35 lighthouses. The Wisconsin coast of Lake Michigan boasts about the same number, including a wonderful cluster of lighthouses in Door County, Wisconsin.
Click the button above for a list of all the lighthouses around Lake Michigan, organized into the nine travel regions. We hope this helps you plan your Lighthouse Lovers Itinerary.
Browse our Featured Lighthouses by selecting a lighthouse article from the carousel below.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within the Leelanau State Park.
The Grand Haven Lighthouse has two lights on the south pier, both painted red, that are connected by a lighted catwalk.
The majestic Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge are the backdrop for the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
The Sand Dunes of Lake Michigan
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
You’ve probably hear of the world famous Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, and there are many more dunes and beaches to discover around Lake Michigan.
Lake Michigan boasts an abundance of beautiful dunes, thanks to the westerly winds that take the sand and blow it into dune formations.
35 miles along Lake Michigan, with two islands and 21 inland lakes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a hot tourist destination.
Hamlin Lake, just north of Ludington, has sand dunes that people love to visit. It's a popular spot for boating, jet skiing, and more.
The S.S. Badger car ferry arriving in Port Ludington, Michigan
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
A trip into Lake Michigan, or a cruise across the lake should be on your bucket list! Cross lake car ferries will take you and your vehicle between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan, or from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Muskegon, Michigan. Shorter ferry trips will take you to Mackinac Island, Beaver Island, Washington Island, and other destinations.
There are two car ferries operating on Lake Michigan, offering cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin.
The Port of Manitowoc is a deep water draft commercial harbor on Lake Michigan, and the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger car ferry.
The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.
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