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With over 100 lighthouses on its 3000+ miles of Great Lake coastline, Michigan is a dream for lighthouse lovers like us! We've captured some fantastic images from our favorite lighthouses around the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. If you like to drive, experience the fun of finding these historic buildings, sometimes on secluded, incredibly beautiful beaches. Below is some information, and directions to some of the best of Michigan's lighthouses. If you'd like a remembrance of your trip, then you will enjoy the Lighthouses Screensaver Collection, featuring Atlantic Coast, Michigan, and New England Lighthouses for only $12.95. Au Sable Point (UP) 31 mile east of Munising, beautiful light, on a gorgeous stretch of beach. Drive H-58 to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and get directions from park rangers. There is a 1.5 mile hike to the light. Take the beautiful trail through the forest, or if you're up for the exercise, walk down the sandy, rocky beach trail for some scenery you won't soon forget! Bete Grise (Mendota) (UP) From US 41, head to Lac LaBelle and from there to Bete Grise. Deactivated in 1960, the light is now a private residence. You can see it from the road though. Point Betsie (LP) My personal favorite! Five miles north of Frankfort, it's quite a long drive through the Sleeping Bear Dunes area around the coastline to this lighthouse, but well worth it. You'll see one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. Take Route 22 along the coast and exit at Point Betsie Road. The wind and the waves make this gorgeous beach attractive to hardy types for body surfing and wind-boarding. You must experience it to appreciate. Big Sable (LP) Eight and one half miles north of Ludington. Impressive lighthouses, standing 112 ft tall. Hike from the campground in Ludington State Park 1.5 miles, and a long hike it is! But it is really enjoyable, walking through the huge sand dunes. At the end of your trek, you will be treated to a gorgeous stretch of sand-duned beach, and one of the best lighthouses anywhere. The views are spectacular. There is a museum and gift shop in the lighthouse, and you can get something to drink. You'll need it, after the hike! Cheboygan (LP) Located in a city park, Cheboygan River, at the base of the west pier, this crib light is attractive, and makes a nice picture. You can walk out to it. Crisp Point (UP) Wonderful, lonely stretch of beach. You're not likely to find anyone else back there, since the roads are not too great, and you must drive county road 412 seemingly forever. The road was sand-based, and had some large water-filled potholes, but we made it OK in our car. You can get directions at Whitefish Point Lighthouse. The ride is beautiful though, through the woods, and worth the trip at the end. It is an incredible, isolated beach, with a beautiful (newly painted) 58 ft tall white tower. Eagle Harbor (UP) This is one of the most photographed sites of Michigan's upper peninsula. The octagonal brick tower perched high on the rocky coast makes for a spectacular view and photo opportunity. Take Michigan's route 26 to the small town of Eagle Harbor. You'll find it easily. Escanaba Sand Point (LP) The square brick tower, painted white, faces the lovely town of Escanaba. Take US 2 and 41 to Ludington St, and follow to the waterfront. Forty Mile Point (LP) Another square brick tower, this lighthouse is another of my favorites. It has a wonderful beach, with plenty of seagulls - a magnificent scene. It's easy to miss the road to the lighthouse. After exiting route 23, there is a sign marked "Lighthouse Park", but the actual road to the lighthouse is not well marked. Don't confuse it with Forty Mile Rad, which does not go to the lighthouse. Grand Haven (LP) has two lighthouses, the first a conical cast iron tower, and the second a wooden building sheathed in steel. Both are painted red, and connected by a catwalk. The catwalk makes for a popular place to fish or go for a scenic stroll. Take US 31 to Franklin St exit, and locate South Harbor Drive, and follow that to the light. Grand Marais (UP) Although the lighthouses aren't beautiful, the beach certainly is! The lights consist of two skeletal steel towers connected by a beautiful rocky pier. We were there at sunset, and enjoyed the colors and beautiful waves as we walked along the beach. The fisherman on the pier and the sunset glow made it a very scenic sight. Take highway 58 to the town of Grand Marais, and county road 702 to the waterfront museum and range lights. Grand Traverse (LP) Leelanau State Park (take route 22 north to M-201, county road 649 and 640 to the tip of the peninsula). Impressive white brick building, on beautifully kept grounds, lovely beach. Has a museum, and is well worth seeing! Holland (LP) the access to "Big Red" is fairly restricted, but you can get close enough to see it or snap a photo. The light is a red cast iron square building, best viewed from across the channel at Holland State Park. Keweenaw Upper Entrance (UP) This rough breakwater light can be accessed from Keweenaw State Park. Little Sable (LP) 107 feet tall, and one of the oldest brick towers on the Great Lakes. Exit Route 31 at Shelby Road, and head west away from the town of Shelby. Follow to 16th Ave, and head north. Zigzag to 18th Ave. Take that to Silver Lake Road and take it to the light. you will have to pay a park fee. It's well worth seeing though. Set in the beautiful sand dunes, it's a gorgeous lighthouse. Old Mackinac Point (LP) Very easy to access, in the popular tourist spot at the top of the lower peninsula. It's an impressive round brick tower and dwelling that stands just at the Mackinac Bridge to the upper peninsula. The popular Mackinac Island is, of course, accessible by ferry from here, and there is a myriad of shops and tourist attractions. The scene is at sunset is incredible, with the lights from the bridge flickering in the waters, and the sunset glow reflecting from bridge, water, and the lighthouse. Manistee (LP) On the end of the north pierhead at Manistee, Michigan, you can walk the catwalk right out to the light in calm weather. It is a conical steel tower, painted white with black trim. Manistique East Breakwater (LP) It's an enjoyable walk out on the long breakwater, with waves crashing against the huge rocks to the red pyramidal lighthouse. Very picturesque, and easily found at the end of the east breakwater in Manistique. Marquette (LP) This is a very picturesque lighthouse, red brick, on a massive brick site high above the town. Still an active navigation aid, you can't get too close, but close enough to snap a picture and appreciate the scenic beauty of the water crashing against the rock. There is a nice beach from which you get a great view of the lighthouse. Munising (LP) Right in the middle of the small town of Munising, on the main road, stands the 50 ft tall white conical cast iron tower. The smaller Rear Range lighthouse stands up the hill from it. Muskegon (LP) Follow US 31 to Muskegon. Take Sherman Boulevard, follow to Beach St and the light. One the the famous Michigan red lighthouses, access is sometimes limited, since it is an active navigation aid. On a clam day, you can walk out to the light if the gate is open. Old Mission Point (LP) The lovely wooden building with square wooden tower was constructed in 1870. The grounds, not the building are accessible. In a local park at the very end of Rt 37, it is worth the 18 mile drive out to the end of the peninsula. Would be a great spot for a picnic. Old Presque Isle (LP) Said to be haunted, we did see a mysterious lady in gray there! A white tower, constructed of rough stone, it is privately owned, but open to the public. From US 23 turn at the sign toward the lake and follow to the lighthouse. Peninsula Point (LP) After the dwelling was destroyed by fire, only the monolithic stone tower remains of this inactive lighthouse. Take a beautiful drive through Hiawatha National Forest, and you will find this wonderful spot on county road 513 18 miles south of US 2. You can still ascend the metal tower staircase for a lovely view of the waterfront. Petoskey Pierhead (LP) The small cylindrical structure at the end of the west pier has a beautiful beach, and the coastline surrounding it is full of fossil rock of a certain type from the coral reef that existed there in ancient times. Presque Isle (LP) Up the road one mile from the old light, this conical white tower stands 109 feet tall. There is a nice museum and gift shop housed there. The grounds are lovely, with clumps of birch trees, and the lighthouse still serves as active navigation aid. It contains the original third order Fresnel lens. Presque Isle Harbor Breakwater (LP) Located in a lovely park off Marquette's Presque Isle, this cylindrical steel lighthouse is found at the end of a very long breakwater. The water is extremely rough and dangerous in bad weather, and has claimed numerous lives. You can walk out in calm weather however, and a most enjoyable, wonderful walk it is. Sand Hills (UP) North of Ahmeek, at Five Mile Point, this most impressive lighthouse is well worth seeing. It was one of the loveliest scenes of our trip. Now converted to a Bed and Breakfast, you may call 906-337-1744 for reservations. Sand Point (LP) This is a schoolhouse style light that is interesting to see. You must turn into the Ojibwa campground, take the second road to the right, then stay left at the Y in the road. It is privately owned now, and houses some offices. Seul Choix (LP) Meaning "only choice" in French, it was indeed the only safe haven for vessels in that area, and many took refuge here. In an isolated area, 16 miles east of Manistique, local folks will give you an interesting tour and historical information about the site. Take US 2 to Port Inland Rd, take county road 431 to the light. It is an impressive 78 ft brick tower, with beautiful grounds, and museum. South Haven (LP) One of the typical red cast-iron lights of Lake Michigan, this one has a catwalk access, and is a popular tourist spot. The town itself is quite fun to visit, with gift shops and specialty store galore. From US 31, follow Water St to the lighthouse. St Joseph (LP) In calm weather you can walk right out to this pair of cast iron lighthouses. The first is octagonal, and the second cylindrical. They are located at the mouth of the St Joseph River, on the north pier. Sturgeon Point (LP) You can climb up in the tower of the 68 foot tower. Active, very picturesque, and with a great little museum, this lighthouse is a must-see. Take US 23, north of Harrisville, to Point Rd. follow it to the lighthouse. Tawas Point (LP) On beautiful lake Huron, now well-kept by the Coast Guard, the Tawas Point Light is one you should not miss. Located in a lovely park, end of Tawas Point. Whitefish Point (UP) This white skeletal tower is located at a very critical point for Lake Superior vessel traffic. You'll find one of the greatest beaches there, with lovely crashing waves. It is still an active aid to navigation, and an excellent maritime museum and gift shop. Go to the ip of Whitefish Point and follow signs to the lighthouse. White River (LP) Said by some to be haunted, the octagonal brick building does have something of an eery look. It is at the mouth of White River, just west of Whitehall. Take South Shore to Murray Rd. A good drive to the lighthouse, but one that is worth seeing. It now houses a museum.  Send Us Email Questions? 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