Lake Michigan is home to over 50 beautiful lighthouses, with the majority located in Michigan and Wisconsin. These lighthouses offer a fascinating vacation experience, combining historical significance with stunning shorelines. This comprehensive guide will help you plan your Lake Michigan lighthouse road trip.
Best Lighthouses to Visit
- Big Sable Point Lighthouse: Located in Ludington State Park, Michigan.
- Pentwater Pier Head Lights: At the channel to Pentwater Lake, Michigan.
- Grand Haven Lighthouse: At the mouth of the Grand River, Michigan.
- Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse: In Mackinaw City, Michigan.
- Wawatam Lighthouse: In Saint Ignace, Michigan.
- DeTour Reef Light: Located near DeTour Village, Michigan.
- McGulpin Point Lighthouse: In the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinaw City, Michigan.
- Ludington’s North Breakwater Light: Walk the half-mile long pier to West Michigan’s most popular lighthouse.
- North Pierhead Lighthouse in Manistee: At the Manistee beach, Michigan.
- Little Sable Point Lighthouse: Located at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan.
Lake Michigan Lighthouse Road Trip
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a popular route that takes you through the entire coast of Lake Michigan, covering over 100 lighthouses, islands, parks, and natural areas. The tour was officially established in the 1980s by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the West Michigan Tourist Association. You can find the route and its official guidebook online at Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Lighthouse Driving Itinerary.
Guided Tours
While there are no specific guided tours exclusively for Lake Michigan lighthouses, you can join the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s Lighthouse Passport Program and Club. This program allows you to record your lighthouse visits and achieve recognition for your accomplishments. You can purchase your passport online at www.uslhs.org or by calling 415-362-7255.
Additional Resources
- Michigan Lighthouses: A comprehensive directory of lighthouses in Michigan, including those on Lake Michigan.
- Lighthouses of Lake Michigan: A detailed guide to Lake Michigan lighthouses, including their historical significance and locations.
- Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map: An interactive map that provides more information on each lighthouse.
Statistics and Facts
- Number of Lighthouses: Over 50 lighthouses are located on Lake Michigan, with the majority in Michigan and Wisconsin.
- Historical Significance: Most Lake Michigan lighthouses were built in the 1800s, especially during the lumbering era, to guide ships safely through rocky harbors.
- Lake Michigan Circle Tour: The official route was established in the 1980s and covers over 100 lighthouses, islands, parks, and natural areas.
References
- Michigan.org. (n.d.). Lighthouses – Pure Michigan. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.org/lighthouses
- Lighthouses of Lake Michigan. (n.d.). Lighthouses of Lake Michigan – Lake Michigan Lighthouses. Retrieved from https://lighthousesoflakemichigan.com
- Lighthousefriends.com. (n.d.). Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map. Retrieved from https://www.lighthousefriends.com/lake_mi.html
- Michigan.org. (n.d.). Beautiful Lighthouses in Michigan Worth a Visit. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/beautiful-lighthouses-michigan-worth-visit
- WMTA.org. (n.d.). Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour. Retrieved from https://www.wmta.org/lake-michigan-lighthouse-map-circle-tour/.