There is something wildly fun about chasing lighthouses across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, especially when each stop comes with massive lake views and stories that go back over 100 years.
This road trip takes you along the edges of not one, but two Great Lakes, where you’ll walk long piers, hike quiet forest trails, and stand on rocky shorelines as freighters glide past in the distance.
Some lights are easy to reach right in town, while others make you work for it with miles of hiking or winding backroads, and that keeps every stop feeling totally different from the last.
If you’re ready for scenic drives, hidden coastal spots, and some seriously cool lighthouse views you won’t find just anywhere, you’re going to want to keep reading.
1. Wawatam Lighthouse
Wawatam Lighthouse stands on a pier along the waterfront in St. Ignace, right along the Straits of Mackinac where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan.
Built in 1998, this 52-foot-tall white tower with a bright red roof was designed to look like a classic lighthouse, but it actually works as a modern automated beacon guiding boats safely into the St. Ignace harbor.
You can walk along the pier right up to the lighthouse, where you’ll get front-row views of ferries heading to Mackinac Island and freighters cruising through one of the busiest shipping channels in the Great Lakes.
The lighthouse is named after the railroad ferry “Chief Wawatam,” which was named after Chief Wawatam of the Odawa people.
If you visit at sunset or during winter when ice covers the shoreline, you’ll get some seriously memorable photos with the bridge and open water all in one shot.
2. Seul Choix Point Lighthouse
Keep cruising along the Lake Michigan shoreline for about an hour and 30 minutes, and you’ll hit Seul Choix Point Lighthouse.
It’s located about 30 minutes from Manistique within Hiawatha National Forest.
First lit in 1895, this 78-foot-tall brick tower helped guide ships through a tricky stretch of coastline known for shallow reefs and sudden storms, and its name means “only choice” in French since it was once the only safe harbor around.
You can climb all 96 spiral steps to the top for wide-open views of Lake Michigan, then explore the restored keeper’s quarters filled with historic tools and furniture.
Stick around after dark if you’re brave, because the lighthouse is famous for ghost stories tied to a former keeper named Joseph Townsend, and visitors often say they hear footsteps or doors closing when no one else is around.
Just a heads-up, the Seul Choix Point Lighthouse is not open year-round and is generally open for tours from Memorial Day through mid-October, so it’s best to check ahead for current hours before visiting.
3. Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse
Next up, roll right into the town of Manistique where the bright red Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse sits at the end of a pier stretching straight into Lake Michigan.
This compact 35-foot steel tower was built in 1916 and stands out instantly with its bold red paint, making it one of the most eye-catching lighthouses along the Upper Peninsula shoreline.
The walk out is half the fun, with waves crashing against the rocks on windy days and calm, glassy water on others, plus you’ll likely spot anglers casting lines or boats heading in and out of the harbor.
Time your visit for sunrise if you can, because the light hits the lake just right behind the lighthouse, turning the whole scene into a glowing mix of orange, pink, and deep blue that feels completely different from the stops before it.
4. Au Sable Light Station
From there, head about 1 hour and 20 minutes into Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and you’ll find Au Sable Light Station, located along one of the most scenic stretches of Lake Superior.
Getting here requires a hike along the 3-mile round trip Au Sable Light Station Trail, a mostly flat trail that winds through forest before opening up to a wide, rocky shoreline.
Built in 1874, the 86-foot white brick lighthouse once guided ships away from the dangerous Au Sable Reef, which stretches into Lake Superior and caused multiple shipwrecks in the 1800s.
You can tour the restored keeper’s house, climb the tower during summer for sweeping lake views, or catch it around sunset.
5. Munising Front Range Lighthouse
As you roll into Munising, keep an eye out for the Munising Front Range Lighthouse, a small but super distinctive white tower sitting right near the harbor.
Built in 1908, this 58-foot steel lighthouse worked together with the Rear Range Light to help ships line up perfectly and avoid the shallow sandbars as they entered Munising Bay from Lake Superior.
Unlike the remote stop before this, you don’t need a hike to reach it, since it’s located right in town and easy to spot from the street, though it is privately owned and not open for tours.
Even without going inside, it’s worth a stop for photos, especially with Grand Island rising across the bay in the background and fishing boats passing by.
6. Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
Continue about 50 minutes to Marquette, where the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse rises from a rocky point overlooking Lake Superior, just a short drive from downtown along a scenic path near Lakeshore Boulevard.
First built in 1853 and rebuilt in 1866, the current lighthouse stands 40 feet tall, guiding ships into one of the most important iron ore shipping ports on the Great Lakes.
You can join a guided tour to climb the narrow staircase inside, explore the keeper’s rooms, and hear stories about shipwrecks and the harsh winters that once made this stretch of lake especially dangerous.
Step outside and wander the surrounding shoreline, where waves crash against dark volcanic rock and ore freighters pass by in the distance.
Please note that the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse operates seasonally, typically from mid-May through mid-October.
7. Big Bay Point Lighthouse
Keep following the shoreline about 45 minutes to Big Bay, where the Big Bay Point Lighthouse sits on a tall bluff overlooking the deep blue waters of Lake Superior.
Built in 1896, this 64-foot tan brick lighthouse once helped guide ships carrying iron ore and lumber, and today it doubles as a cozy bed and breakfast where you can actually spend the night in the former keeper’s quarters.
A short walk from the parking area leads you through forest to the lighthouse, where you’ll find sweeping views of the lake and a quiet, remote setting.
Please note that the Big Bay Point Lighthouse operates seasonally, typically from May through November.
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