Little Sable Lighthouse Ludington | Photo by Brad Reed
Little Sable Point Lighthouse at the Silver Lake State Park
About 30 miles south of Big Sable Point Lighthouse brings you to the other “point,” located in the Silver Lake State Park at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Little Sable Point Lighthouse is a 107′ brick structure, constructed in 1874. Along with Big Sable Point Lighthouse, this structure is one of the tallest in the state of Michigan at over 100 feet and 130 steps to climb the tower.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse History & Facts
Originally named Petite Pointe Au Sable, it cost $35,000 to build and contained 3 rooms. The rare third order Fresnel lens emitted a constant white light, and flashed a brighter light at set intervals, visible 19 miles into Lake Michigan.
The early 1900s saw some changes to the lighthouse. In 1900 the tower was painted white, and an access road and storage building were added in 1902. The name was changed in 1910 to Little Sable Point Lighthouse, meaning “little point of sand,” representing its location which juts into Lake Michigan. In 1977, the tower paint was removed and the original brick exposed.
Over the years, the lighthouse has had 15 keepers; and for one month, a woman took over when the original keeper took a temporary leave. The Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association took over the maintenance of the lighthouse in 2005, and it is open to the public from late May to late September.
Lighthouse Accessibility
New to the park is a ten foot wide paved pathway that leads from the parking lot to the lighthouse. This now allows those with physical disabilities and those in wheelchairs to access the base of the lighthouse.
Directions to Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Take US-31 to the Hart exit, take Polk Road, west to 56th, south on Fox, west to 34th, south to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, through Silver Lake past the State Park, then follow signs to the lighthouse.
Located on Little Sable Point (Lake Michigan) in Silver Lake State Park, near Mears, Michigan. Go to the end of Silver Lake Road look for the lighthouse parking lot. This is an excellent swimming beach and Lake Michigan produces some great sunsets. The parking lot has close to 200 spaces but during nice weather will most likely be filled by beach users.
The Little Sable Point Lighthouse is part of a Michigan State Park, and an entrance fee is required. Part of the fee helps preserve the lighthouse.
More Lighthouses Around Lake Michigan
Lighthouses of Northern Michigan
In Northern Michigan, you’ll find working lighthouses that assist boaters and historic lighthouses that are open to visitors.
Ludington North Breakwater Light
Ludington’s North Breakwater Lighthouse is Ludington’s focal point and The Weather Channel ranks it in the top 10 lighthouses in the U.S.
Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
The North Pierhead Lighthouse in Manistee was first built in 1869. Then it burned in the Great Fire and a new one was constructed in 1872.
Pentwater Pierhead Lights
Visit the Pentwater Pierhead Lights at the Charles Mears State Park in the charming village of Pentwater, Michigan.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse
The Big Sable Point Lighthouse is a black-and-white striped, 112 foot lighthouse in the Ludington State Park.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Little Sable Point Lighthouse is a 107′ brick structure, constructed in 1874. It’s one of the tallest lighthouses in Michigan.