Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington, Michigan | Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
Discover the Lighthouses of Lake Michigan
There are over 50 beautiful lighthouses around Lake Michigan. The majority of lights are in Michigan and Wisconsin, with more along the Illinois and Indiana lakeshore.
Many people enjoy taking the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, visiting as many of these lighthouses as possible. Their historical significance, as well as their various shapes and colors, make this a fascinating vacation itinerary.
From St. Joseph’s North Pier Light in southwestern Michigan all the way up to McGulpin Point Lighthouse at the Straits of Mackinac….the entire West Michigan Coast is home to about 35 lighthouses. The eastern coast of Wisconsin boasts about the same number, including a wonderful cluster in Door County.
Big Sable Lighthouse in Ludington State Park
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
Most Lake Michigan lighthouses were built in the 1800s when ship traffic was at its heaviest…especially during the lumbering era. Long before marine radios, lighthouses were the only means to safely navigate the harbors, many of which were rocky. The comforting beams of light guided thousands of ships with their precious cargoes into port. Many lighthouse keepers inhabited these structures, or lived nearby and walked the dangerous catwalks out to the light. Today the lights are automated and guide fishing boats and other pleasure craft to safety. They also serve as tourist attractions. Many are open during the summer offering a climb to the top to enjoy the magnificent views of Lake Michigan.
Why is there such a fascination with lighthouses? One reason may be their location…along beautiful shorelines. They are a photographer’s dream, especially during a Lake Michigan sunrise or sunset. Another reason is their unique architecture–no two lighthouses are alike, and they’re built to withstand the toughest of weather conditions. The view from the top, along with the sparkling Fresnel lenses, are reason enough to climb the numerous steps up. Thanks to groups like the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association and its smaller organizations, these lighthouses have been preserved and maintained so that future generations can enjoy and appreciate them. Hundreds of volunteers serve as hosts during the summer, sharing the rich maritime history with visitors as they tour the lighthouses.
Plan your next vacation along Lake Michigan and visit some of the most beautiful lighthouses our country has to offer.
Northwest Michigan Lighthouses
From Ludington north to the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, there are a dozen lighthouses to visit!
Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
View Lighthouses in Northwest Michigan
- North Breakwater Light, Ludington
- Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington State Park
- North Pierhead Lighthouse, Manistee
- Portage Lake North Pierhead, Onekama
- North Breakwater Light, Frankfort
- Point Betsie Lighthouse, Frankfort
- Robert H. Manning Memorial Light, Empire
- South Manitou Island Lighthouse, Glen Arbor Township
- North Manitou Shoal Light Station, Leland Township
- South Fox Island Lighthouse, Northport
- Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport
- Mission Point Lighthouse, Traverse City
Northern Michigan Lighthouses
From Charlevoix north to the Straits of Mackinac, there are many lighthouses to visit!
Charlevoix’s South Pierhead Lighthouse
Lake Michigan Destinations stock photo
View Lighthouses in Northern Michigan
- South Pier Lighthouse, Charlevoix
- Beaver Island Head Light, Beaver Island
- Paradise Bay Harbor Light, Beaver Island
- Petoskey Lighthouse, Petoskey
- Little Traverse Lighthouse, Harbor Springs
- Squaw Island Lighthouse, Squaw Island
- Lansing Shoal Light, Newton Township
- Skillagalee Lighthouse, Ile Aux Galets
- Gray’s Reef Lighthouse, Mackinaw City
- White Shoal Lighthouse, Mackinaw City
- St. Helena Island Lighthouse, Mackinaw City
- Waugoshance Shoal Light, Mackinaw City
- McGulpin Point Lighthouse, Mackinaw City
- Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Mackinaw City
Upper Peninsula Lake Michigan Lighthouses
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) has lighthouses on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron.
View Lighthouses in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
- Seul Choix Point Lighthouse, Gulliver
- Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse, Manistique
- Poverty Island Lighthouse, Poverty
- St. Martin Island Lighthouse, Garden
- Peninsula Point Lighthouse, Rapid River
- Eleven Foot Shoal, Escanaba
- Minneapolis Shoal Light, Escanaba
- Sand Point Lighthouse, Escanaba
- Escanaba Crib Light, Escanaba
- Cedar River Lighthouse, Escanaba
- Menominee North Pier Light, Menominee
Northeast Wisconsin Lighthouses
A large cluster of lighthouses are in Door County, and many more are located along Wisconsin’s Northeastern Lake Michigan Coast.
View Lighthouses in Northeast Wisconsin
- Chambers Island Lighthouse, Fish Creek
- Green Island Lighthouse, Peshtigo (ruins)
- Peshtigo Reef Lighthouse, Peshtigo
- Long Tail Point Lighthouse, Suamico (ruins)
- Grassy Island Range Lights, Green Bay
- Green Bay Harbor Entrance Lighthouse, Scott
- Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Sturgeon Bay
- Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Fish Creek
- Boyers Bluff Lighthouse, Washington
- Pottawatomie Lighthouse, Rock Island
- Plum Island Rear Range Lighthouse, Washington
- Pilot Island Lighthouse, Ellison Bay
- Cana Island Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor
- Baileys Harbor Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor
- Baileys Harbor Range Lights, Baileys Harbor
- Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Light, Sturgeon Bay
- Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse, Algoma
- Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse, Kewaunee
- Rawley Point Lighthouse, Two Rivers
- North Pierhead Lighthouse, Two Rivers
- Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse, Manitowoc
Southeast Wisconsin Lighthouses
Many lighthouses are located along Wisconsin’s Southeastern Lake Michigan Coast.
Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine County
Lake Michigan Destinations stock photo
View Lighthouses in Southeast Wisconsin
- Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse, Sheboygan
- 1860 Light Station, Port Washington
- Pierhead Light, Port Washington
- Kevich Light, Grafton
- North Point Lighthouse, Milwaukee
- Milwaukee Pierhead Light, Milwaukee
- Wind Point Lighthouse, Wind Point
- Racine North Breakwater Lighthouse, Racine
- Southport Light Station, Kenosha
- Kenosha Pierhead Light, Kenosha
Illinois Lakeshore Lighthouses
Most Illinois lighthouses are in Chicago, with a couple more just north of the Windy City.
View Lighthouses Along the Illinois Lakeshore
- Waukegan Harbor Light, Waukegan
- Grosse Point Lighthouse, Evanston
- Wilson Avenue Crib Lighthouse, Chicago
- William E. Dever Crib Light, Chicago
- Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, Chicago
- Chicago Harbor Southeast Guide Wall, Chicago
- 4 Mile Crib Light, Chicago
- 68th Street Crib Lighthouse, Chicago
Indiana Lakeshore Lighthouses
There are seven Indiana lighthouses on Lake Michigan.
View Lighthouses Along the Indiana Lakeshore
- Calumet Harbor Lighthouse, South Chicago
- Indiana Harbor East Breakwater Lighthouse, East Chicago
- Old Indiana Harbor Light, East Chicago
- Buffington Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse, East Chicago
- Gary Breakwater Lighthouse, Gary
- Michigan City East Pierhead Lighthouse, Michigan City
- Old Michigan City Lighthouse, Michigan City
Southwest Michigan Lighthouses
Lighthouse lovers will love the lights located along the Southwest Michigan lakeshore.
Tiscornia Park St. Joseph Lighthouse
Photo by Molly Schuler Pate
View Lighthouses in Southwest Michigan
- New Buffalo Lighthouse, New Buffalo
- North Pierhead Lighthouse, St. Joseph
- South Pierhead Light, South Haven
- Kalamazoo River Light, Saugatuck
Central West Michigan Lighthouses
Check out the iconic lighthouses in Central West Michigan.
Pentwater Pierhead Lights
Photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
View Lighthouses in Central West Michigan
- Holland Harbor Lighthouse, Holland
- Grand Haven Lighthouse, Grand Haven
- South Pierhead Light, Muskegon
- White River Light Station, Whitehall
- Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Silver Lake/Mears
- Pentwater Pierhead Lights, Pentwater
Lake Michigan Travel Regions
Michigan
- Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Northern Michigan
- Northwest Michigan
- Central West Michigan
- Southwest Michigan
Wisconsin
Indiana & Illinois
Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations
Peshtigo, Wisconsin
One attraction of importance to Peshtigo is the Peshtigo Fire Museum, which reflects the city during the time period after a devastating fire.
Ephraim, Wisconsin
Nestled in the harbor, Ephraim of Door County, Wisconsin has a picturesque view of Peninsula State Park’s Eagle Bluff and Horseshoe Island.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is a charming historical community that embraces its world famous shipbuilding hub and honors their boat and water heritage.
Door County, Wisconsin
The small towns, quaint surroundings, and nautical feel of Door County, Wisconsin have earned it the name “Cape Cod of the Midwest.”
Frankfort, Michigan
Frankfort is located along the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and is home to attractions like the Betsie Pointe Lighthouse and The Garden Theater.
Hammond, Indiana
Straddling Indiana’s border with Illinois sits Hammond, which thrives despite the decline of factories on the southern tip of Lake Michigan.