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 Lighthouse

Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography

Northern Michigan Lighthouses

From Charlevoix north to the Straits of Mackinac, there are many lighthouses to visit!

 

Charlevoix South Pier lighthouse in Charlevoix, Michigan

Charlevoix’s South Pierhead Lighthouse
Lake Michigan Destinations stock photo

  • 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 Map

Upper Peninsula Lake Michigan Lighthouses

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) has lighthouses on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron.

  • 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.

  • 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

Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine County
Lake Michigan Destinations stock photo

  • 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 region map on Lake Michigan

Illinois Lakeshore Lighthouses

Most Illinois lighthouses are in Chicago, with a couple more just north of the Windy City.

  • 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.

  • 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 map

Southwest Michigan Lighthouses

Lighthouse lovers will love the lights located along the Southwest Michigan lakeshore.

 

Tiscornia Park St. Joseph Lighthouse Molly Schuler Pate

Tiscornia Park St. Joseph Lighthouse
Photo by Molly Schuler Pate

  • 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

Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations

Harbor Springs, Michigan

Situated on a beautiful natural, deep harbor, this beautiful community has fabulous shopping and dining options overlooking the water.

Menominee, Michigan

Among the water activities, shopping, and dining, Menominee, Michigan offers historical museum, beaches, and parks.

Douglas, Michigan

Known as the “Village of Friendliness since 1870”, Douglas offers a diversified variety of art galleries and fine dining.

Beaver Island, Michigan

Beaver Island Michigan is located in Lake Michigan. It is the largest island in Lake Michigan and the third largest island in Michigan

Saugatuck, Michigan

Saugatuck, Michigan has been regarded as the “Art Coast of Michigan” and has approximately two dozen galleries to visit.

Lake Michigan water photo by Todd Reed

Evanston, Illinois

Evanston, just north of Chicago, is alive with diverse entertainment options, courtesy of the creative students at Northwestern University.