Standing sentinel off the western shore of Manitou Island in Lake Superior, Gull Rock Light has guided mariners through treacherous waters since 1867. This remote lighthouse was built to mark the dangerous reef extending from Gull Rock, which claimed numerous vessels in the busy copper trade shipping lanes. The square brick tower remains an active aid to navigation maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The lighthouse is not open to the public, but kayakers and boaters can view it from the water. Late summer offers the best photography conditions, with calm seas and dramatic sunsets behind the tower. Nearby, Manitou Island and the Keweenaw Peninsula provide excellent hiking, historic copper mining sites, and pristine Lake Superior shoreline.

Explore Nearby

• Historic Michigan Road Byway — Scenic Byway in Indiana
• Fort Wilkins Historic State Park — State Park in Michigan
• Copper Country Trail — Scenic Byway in Michigan
• Douglass Houghton Falls Scenic Site — State Park in Michigan
• Ottawa National Forest — National Forest in Michigan