Standing on remote Manitou Island in Lake Michigan, this historic lighthouse has guided mariners since 1850, making it one of Michigan’s earliest light stations. The tower was built to mark the dangerous shoals surrounding the Manitou Islands, a critical passage for vessels navigating the busy shipping lanes between Chicago and the Straits of Mackinac.

The lighthouse remains an active navigational aid but is not open to the public. Its isolated setting makes it best photographed from the water or nearby South Manitou Island, with golden hour in late summer offering the most dramatic light. Visitors to the area can explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, hike South Manitou Island, and discover historic shipwrecks offshore.

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