91 Lighthouses to Explore in Michigan

The 40 Mile Point Lighthouse & Historical Marker in Presque Isle County, Michigan, is a sight to behold. This towering structure has been guiding ships to safety since 1896 and continues to be an important part of the region's maritime history. Visitors are welcome to explore the museum inside the lighthouse, which showcases artifacts and memorabilia from years gone by. Additionally, the on-site historical marker provides valuable insight into the area's cultural heritage.

The Alpena Lighthouse stands tall in the beautiful northern Michigan city. Built in 1876, during part of a regional movement to make the Great Lakes safer for boats and shipping, it is an iconic part of the local scenery. It's red-brick facade rises three stories skyward and its light still flashes out across the lake at night. Over the years it has served as a beacon for sailors returning home and a reminder to local residents that they are part of a larger history stretching back centuries.

The Au Sable Light Station is part of the National Register of Historic Places and provides a unique glimpse into the history of American lighthouses. Originally constructed in 1874, the 60-foot tower still serves as an active navigational aid for ships crossing Lake Superior even though its Fresnel lens was decommissioned in 1971. As one of the oldest surviving structures on the Great Lakes, it was purchased by a nonprofit organization called 'Friends of the Lighthouse.

Beaver Head Light is located in Charlevoix County,and was first lit in 1884. It stands 95-feet tall, with a brick tower covered in brick lining and completed with a black lantern room made from cast iron. The lighthouse also features a fog signal room where the foghorn can still be heard for miles depending on weather conditions. Its purpose was to guide Great Lakes shipping vessels safely through treacherous waters near Deer Park Point.

Beaver Island Harbor Light, is one of only two surviving lights from the state's earliest range lights. It was first established in 1839 and marks the entrance to Lake Michigan for ships sailing from Peninula Point Harbor. The 45-foot tower and small attached lighthouse keeper’s house were built on a rock platform about 900 feet offshore. The light was automated in 1967 and continues to guide ships safely into the harbor at night.

This Lighthouse has been illuminating the Lake Michigan coastline since 1867. Standing 112 feet tall, with 119 winding steps to the top, it is a beacon of adventure and exploration. Not only is an experience of historic and natural beauty offered while visiting this lighthouse, but also hospitality from the Harbor Lights Club who look after it lovingly. Adorned in its traditional brick color, this iconic structure is bound to leave lasting impressions for visitors for generations to come.

Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse, is an iconic spot for many visitors to the beautiful Great Lakes State. Standing sturdy for more than 150 years, this impressive red-roofed tower stands 39 feet tall and contains a spiral staircase that takes you up a mere 55 steps to get you to the top of the lighthouse where remarkable views of Lake Huron await. Constructed in 1854 by order of President Franklin Pierce, this landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse, has a rich and intriguing past. Constructed in 1869, this lighthouse operates as an air-controlled navigational signal aid designed to guide vessels safely through the otherwise treacherous waters of Lake Michigan. The tower consists of octagonal pyramidal design on top of an enclosed dwelling. At 105 feet tall, it is one of the tallest lighthouses in the country and can be seen across Lake Michigan's horizon.

The Cheboygan Crib Light is beautiful historical landmark located in the harbor of Cheboygan County, Michigan. It is a hexagonal shaped wooden crust on a wide stone foundation with a two story tower reaching high into the sky. First erected in 1875, this lighthouse was used to help guide ships through the dangerous passage to Lake Huron. The original lens of this structure was powered by kerosene until 1954 when it was electrified.

This is a historic lighthouse built in 1911, the tower was constructed of reinforced concrete and featured an octagonal shape with an attached dwelling. Overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, the lighthouse has stood watch over both sailing vessels and recreational boats that use the canal to pass through. Its bright white light is visible for up to 5 nautical miles in all directions. By 1962, it had been decommissioned and replaced with a modern-day buoy orientation system.

Crisp Point Lighthouse, is a picturesque structure with a powerful past. Built in 1904, it was utilized to warn ships of the treacherous shoals that surrounded Lake Superior. The beloved lighthouse has been preserved with careful renovations throughout the years and changed from manual operation to automation in 1971. Today, visitors can enjoy striking views of Lake Superior from atop the 128-foot tower and learn French River's lighthouse history through guided tours.

Built in the 1860s, DeTour Reef Lighthouse has been guiding ships and visitors along the Straits of Mackinac ever since. Located just off the northern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this square tower stands 48 feet tall and is surrounded by stunning views of Lake Huron. Although the lighthouse is no longer used as a navigational aid, it continues to draw tourists who come to admire its warmly lit interior and panoramic lake vistas.

The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful lighthouses in the state. Built in 1851, it marks a major shipping route for vessels entering Lake Superior from the Keweenaw Waterway. The two-story tower was constructed of fieldstone and brick, originally illuminated by an oil lamp until automation in 1922. It stands 54 feet tall and continues to light up brilliantly at night, guiding ships through this busy shipping lane.

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the state and was built in 1829 to mark the entrance of the St. Clair River into Lake Huron. The lighthouse stands 70 ft tall and boasts a unique octagonal shape, making it easily recognizable from miles away. Taken over by the Coast Guard in 1939, it once served as a navigational aid for watercraft traffic along Lake Huron. Today, it remains an important part of the community's culture and history.

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, located in St. Clair County, Michigan, is an iconic piece of history that stands tall and proud against the lapping waves of Lake Huron. Built in 1829, this lighthouse has seen countless ships pass by and has guided them safely to their destinations through inclement weather and rough waters. Over the years, it has been restored and updated to maintain its structural integrity and importance to the community.

The Fourteen Mile Point Lighthouse is a picturesque beacon standing tall on the shores of Ontonagon County, Michigan. Built in 1895, the lighthouse's history adds to its charm, as it once guided sailors through Lake Superior's rocky terrain. Today, the lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope and an ode to Michigan's maritime legacy. Visitors can enjoy walks along the scenic beaches, take in the stunning scenery and learn about the lighthouse's history.

The Goderich Lighthouse constructed in 1858 and looming at 65 feet tall, the structure provides a picturesque beacon from the Port of Goderich. Visitors can explore the area and enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking and fishing. Stairs at the base of the building reach up to a miniature balcony, ready to grant panoramic views of the region. Furthermore, folk art displays on the doorways honor local traditions along with colorful gardensgreens the lighthouse.

Grand Haven South Pier is a fascinating destination that attracts locals and tourists alike. The pier stretches out into Lake Michigan, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The picturesque lighthouse stands tall, proudly guarding the harbor entrance. Visitors can feel the cool breeze rustling through their hair and listen to the tranquil sound of the waves crashing against the pier.

The Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Light is a picturesque lighthouse located in Ottawa County. Built in 1905, the lighthouse sits at the end of a long pier, towering above Lake Michigan. Its distinctive design, with a square tower atop a cylindrical base, has made it a popular subject for photographers and artists alike. Despite being decommissioned in 1995, the lighthouse remains a beloved landmark in the area and is frequently visited by tourists and locals alike

Grand Haven South Pierhead Entrance Light is the outer light of two lighthouses on the south pier of Grand Haven, Michigan where the Grand River enters Lake Michigan. A lighthouse was first lit there in 1839. The lighthouse was put up for sale in 2009 under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. The City of Grand Haven now owns the pier, but it is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.