91 Lighthouses to Explore in Michigan

Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse is a historic beacon that provides a vital service to boaters navigating the Great Lakes region. The original lighthouse was built in 1868 and funded through a special act of Congress. Over time, it has required repairs and periodic upgrades throughout its lifetime. Today, this iconic lighthouse stands at 40 feet tall on a rocky perch offering views of both Lake Superior's North Shore and Grand Island itself.

Grand Island Harbor Rear Range Lighthouse is a historic landmark on the beautiful Lake Superior. Built in 1890 at a cost of $8,703 dollars, it was part of the efforts to improve navigation on one of the Great Lakes' busiest transportation routes in the aim to encourage travelers and ships. The lighthouse originally featured a four-story tower where it has since been reduced to just two stories due largely to increased automation with advances in technology.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse offers a unique glimpse into maritime history. This historic beacon has been providing guidance to sailors along the Manitou Passage since 1858. Boasting spectacular views of Lake Michigan, with its beige-colored steel tower stretching 88 feet skyward, it is one of only a handful of Michigan lighthouses that still contains much of its original hand-crafted features, including spiral staircases and deep bronze bivalve lenses.

The Gravelly Shoal Light, is a historic reminder of bygone days. On the shores of Saginaw Bay, this lighthouse has stood since 1872 and served to provide safe harbor for passing ships for decades. Its unique design features a square tower lined with vertical red brickwork, with a black lantern at the top. Just a short distance away from the shoreline, it is still visible to this day and serves as an iconic landmark in Michigan’s maritime history.

Grays Reef Light, located near the northernmost part of Lake Michigan, is an iconic beacon. Built in 1932, it stands 92 feet tall with a cylindrical tower measuring just over 16 feet in diameter. The light from the beacon can be seen from as far away as 8 nautical miles and exhibits a signature flashing pattern of red and white. It has been used over the years not only to guide sailors but to provide a sense of security and hope for those who call the Great Lakes home.

Gull Rock Lighthouse stands proudly off the coast of Keweenaw County, Michigan, as a beacon of safety for seafarers since 1867. Built by the United States Government's Lighthouse Board to warn ships from nearby shoals, this structure is comprised of cast-iron plates that are still as strong and steadfast today as when first constructed. It has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years, but was made stronger with each renovation and renovation after renovation.

The Harbor Beach Lighthouse has been guiding ships to safety for nearly 140 years. Standing over sixty feet tall, the light tower is the tallest on Lake Huron and remains an active aid to navigation today. Built from brick, a process that stretched two years from 1888 to 1890, the light was powered by kerosene until 1987 when it was electrified. While the grounds of the Harbor Beach Lighthouse are not accessible to the public.

The Holland Harbor Lighthouse stands tall and proud, a testament to the rich maritime history of the region. Located at the entrance of Lake Macatawa, the lighthouse has been guiding ships safely into the harbor for over 150 years. Its iconic red and white striped tower rises 113 feet high, and the light beam can be seen up to 20 miles away on a clear night. A visit to the Holland Harbor Lighthouse is not just a trip back in time, it's a chance to witness a living piece of history.

The Huron Island Lighthouse is a gorgeous testament to the state's rich maritime history. Located at the entrance of the middle dependency of the Huron Islands and perched atop the cliffs of this gorgeous archipelago, the lighthouse not only served an essential role in warning sailors away from hazardous rocks and shoals but also added to their romanticized sentiments toward this body of water. The red-brick structure has stood for over 130 years and still graces its tall cliff.

Ile Aux Galets Light is a historic lighthouse built in 1927, the lighthouse boasts a 65-foot rock tower with an upper gallery made of steel and whitewashed bricks. It is the only active light house along Lake Michigan's northern shore. The light keeper's residence is also located on-site and features Whitefish Point Shingle Style architecture. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 and today stands as a beacon for lake-goers around the area.

Isle Royale lighthouse, has been guiding wayward ships to safety since 1855. Made of quarry-stone cut limestone, its elegant red and white base stands tall amongst the picturesque Lake Superior shoreline. The lighthouse was originally 71 ½ feet tall with an additional 24-foot tower added in 1898. Accompanied by a wood frame keeper’s quarters, the lighthouse is still intact and the lens is still used to direct ships across the lake at night.

The Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry Light is a navigational aid and historical landmark. Built in 1964, the cast iron lighthouse stands at 25 feet tall and is painted white and red. This light, which was automated in 1970, helps guide boats through the entrance of the Keweenaw Waterway into the Portage Lake shipping channel. It also serves as a reminder of the canal system built by William Burt which made shipping to and from the upper peninsula much easier than before.

Keweenaw Waterway Upper Lighthouse, is a historic beacon of hope that stands as a reminder of maritime history. This 64-foot tall cast-iron lighthouse was built in 1866 and guided ships around the heavily trafficked copper mining area near Lake Superior. The lighthouse also provided harbor security. Now preserved and cared for by the Keweenaw Historical Society, this lighthouse is still open to the public so you can tour it any time of year.

Lighthouse Park, is a majestic site to behold. This stunning landmark is situated between East and West Grand Traverse Bay, offering visitors breathtaking views of the crystal clear waters. With more than 32 acres of trails and beaches, this park provides plenty of opportunities for recreational activities like swimming, hiking, picnicking, and bird watching. There is also an 1873 lighthouse which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Little Sable Point Lighthouse, is a picturesque and historic landmark that draws visitors from all over. Standing at 107 feet tall, the lighthouse was first constructed in 1874 and has been maintained beautifully ever since. Its signature black and white stripes make it easily recognizable from miles away. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and its surrounding area, take in the stunning views of Lake Michigan, and learn about the rich history of the area through guided tours.

The Little Traverse Lighthouse is a remarkable beacon of Michigan's maritime history. Located in Emmet County on the shores of Lake Michigan, it was originally built in 1867 and has been a treasured landmark ever since. This unique structure still stands tall as a testament to traditional lighthouse-keeping craftsmanship and skill. Standing at 65 feet tall, its light can be seen some 23 miles away, making it an essential navigational tool for local ships and boats.

The Ludington North Breakwater Light is a classic example of American lighthouse architecture. Built in 1926 as an active navigational aid, the lighthouse stands 22 feet tall, consisting of a two-story white cylindrical tower and red lantern room. Although it is closed to the public, visitors can view the impressive structure from nearby beaches or boating routes. Notable features of this fascinating light include its unique lamps which were fueled by kerosene throughout its lifetime.

The Manistee North Pier Lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark was first constructed in 1916 and stands 42 feet tall, painted with classic black and white stripes. It utilizes a fog signal which consists of a bell to alert ships of hazardous conditions. The beacon's light reaches more than 11 miles out into Lake Michigan.The lighthouse still stands as a monument to the past when lighthouses were critical aids for navigating treacherous sea routes.

This Lighthouse stands tall and proud, guiding ships into the harbor of Schoolcraft County. With its classic red brick exterior and distinctive green lantern room, the lighthouse is a symbol of maritime history and a testament to human engineering. Originally built in 1916, this beacon of light has been a vital part of the Great Lakes shipping industry for over a century. The lighthouse is now automated, but visitors can still admire it from outside and learn about its fascinating history.

Manitou Island Lighthouse has been a beacon of safety for passing ships since 1835. The seventy-foot tall tower features an octagonal brick structure, a seven-foot high lantern room housing the light source and spectacular views of Lake Superior from its observation level. The lighthouse has been an important navigational aid to passing vessels ever since, until it was decommissioned in 1906 followed by restoration in 1988 and automatic lighting technology installed in 2011.