Standing on the shores of Grosse Ile, Michigan, these paired range lights have guided vessels through the Detroit River’s North Channel since 1894. The front and rear lights work in tandem—when aligned, mariners know they’re safely on course. Built during a boom in Great Lakes navigation infrastructure, these wooden-framed beacons remain active aids to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The lights are not open to public access, but photographers can capture striking views from nearby shoreline areas. Golden hour and winter sunsets across the Detroit River provide the best lighting conditions.

While visiting, explore Grosse Ile’s quiet cycling roads, the nearby Gibraltar Wetlands, and the historic Grosse Ile Toll Bridge.

Explore Nearby

• Ackley covered bridge — Covered Bridge in Michigan
• William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor — State Park in Michigan
• Outdoor Adventure Center is unlike any state park — State Park in Michigan
• Woodward Avenue (M-1) – Automotive Heritage Trail — Scenic Byway in Michigan
• Maumee Valley Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Ohio