When I mapped our 1,200 mile, 7 day circle tour-plus around Lake Michigan, Great Lakes lighthouses were not a major feature on our route plan. Beginning in Chicago and heading east, some of our planned stops included Indiana Dunes National Park, farms and small towns in West Michigan, Mackinac Island and eventually Pictured Rocks on Lake Superior.
But stopping for lunch in St. Joseph, MI on day one, we checked Google and Roadtrippers for close-by suggestions. The historic St. Joseph Lighthouse — featuring iconic wintertime pictures of the frozen lake wrapping the small structure — topped the list. So we took a short detour, found easy lake-front parking at Tiscornia Park, and walked out on North Pier for a quick peek.
Ducks and a Wind Surfer
The wind howled around us and an angry lake pounded the pier. But we leaned forward for more than a casual stroll. A family of ducks paddled effortlessly in the four-foot swells. A wind surfer successfully caught the strong wind to ride and jump the waves. Nearby at Tiscornia beach, determined beachgoers weighted and tied down belongings to “enjoy” their Lake Michigan beach day.
It was then and there that the history, stories and scenic settings of the Great Lakes lighthouses took control. Searching Google and blog sites, we then took detours to more of these iconic structures while exploring some historic small towns in the process.
We photographed and video-captured 15 Great Lakes lighthouses on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. We skipped many others due to our route, preplanned activities and time limitations. Oh, well, now we have reason for another trip.
Check Out the Video
We created a 4-minute video for our YouTube channel that features images from all the Great Lakes lighthouses we explored. Following is the list of the lighthouses we visited, in the order we visited. All are included in the Newsbreak video:
- St. Joseph Lighthouse, St. Joseph, MI. They say you never forget your first, and that howling wind make that believable. Do check out all the pictures of this lighthouse frozen over in winter.
- Big Red Lighthouse, Holland, MI. We walked through the marina and to the lighthouse as storm clouds surrounded the area. The setting sun and clouds put on an incredible light show, with a guest appearance by a rising full moon.
- South Pierhead Lighthouse, Muskegon, MI. The classic-designed neighboring Coast Guard station and moored rescue boats add to the visit interest here.
- Breakwater Lighthouse, Ludington, MI. While here, drive along the lakefront park. If you have time, also head up to Ludington State Park and the Big Sable Point Lighthouse. Unfortunately, we had to skip this one because we didn’t have time for the 4-mile round-trip hike required. But we did have time for lunch at Keeper’s Fish Shack, and we highly recommend it.
- North Pierhead Lighthouse, Manistee, MI. A nice family-oriented beach with a snack bar and clean restrooms was a perfect afternoon stop, for the view and relief from lunch-time beverages.
- Mission Point Lighthouse, Traverse City, MI. Located at the tip of Mission peninsula, the lighthouse is open limited hours for tours. We arrived after closing time and enjoyed walking the grounds and beach.
- South Pierhead Lighthouse, Charlevoix, MI. You can’t miss this bright red lighthouse. We parked at the beachside park and snapped some photos. Then, we headed up the hill to see some of the town’s famous mushroom houses. Local tours are available, but we used this online resource as our walking guide.
- Wawatam Lighthouse, St. Ignace, MI. Not on Lake Michigan, and not really historic based on its young age, this one guides the ferries to Mackinac Island back into St. Ignace harbor.
- Round Island Lighthouse, Mackinac Island, MI. Again, not on Lake Michigan but on Lake Huron.
- Sand Point Lighthouse, Escanaba, MI. On the western side of Lake Michigan, this small lighthouse is located in a nice park and marina area.
- Grassy Island Lighthouses, Green Bay, WI. These two lighthouses were decommissioned in 1966, then moved from their original locations to Green Bay Yacht Club in 1967 for historical preservation.
- Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse, Kewaunee, WI. Rumors spread in the early 1890s that Kewaunee contained gold, and Kewaunee’s chances of becoming a major port on Lake Michigan were high. A pair of range lights were installed in 1891 that helped guide people in from the fog. Gold was never found. The lighthouses remain.
- Rawley Point Lighthouse, Two Rivers, WI. Located in a lakefront state forest, park admission is required. The lighthouse can be seen and photographed from the park and public beach. But there is no admission to the lighthouse or grounds.
- North Pierhead Lighthouse, Two Rivers, WI. Moved from its original lake location, this small lighthouse now is part of the Rogers Street Fishing Village, itself worthy of a visit.
- Breakwater Lighthouse, Manitowoc, WI. The first lighthouse entered service here in 1839. While in Manitowoc, be sure to stop at the nearby Wisconsin Maritime Museum. It features a WW2-era sub built in the area.
More Lake Michigan Circle Tour
Here are links to a few more short NewsBreak videos about stops on our summer circle tour around Lake Michigan and beyond. We’re producing more, so be sure to follow subscribe here, or at our YouTube channel:
Blueberry Heaven in West Michigan
See Huge Ships Transit Great Lakes’ Soo Locks
