Rising from the waters of Lake Huron near Bois Blanc Island, Michigan, Poe Reef Light has guided mariners through the treacherous Straits of Mackinac since 1893. This active aid to navigation sits on a concrete crib foundation, its square tower and attached dwelling characteristic of offshore reef lights built during the era. Named for Colonel Orlando Poe, the Army engineer who surveyed the Great Lakes, the lighthouse remains an important beacon for commercial and recreational vessels. The light is not open to the public, but boaters and kayakers can approach for excellent photography, with golden hour and calm summer mornings offering the best conditions. Nearby, Bois Blanc Island provides hiking, beaches, and a charming ferry ride from Cheboygan.

Explore Nearby

• Young State Park — State Park in Michigan
• Yankee Springs State Recreation Area — State Park in Michigan
• Ottawa National Forest — National Forest in Michigan
• Huron–Manistee National Forest — National Forest in Michigan
• Woodward Avenue (M-1) – Automotive Heritage Trail — Scenic Byway in Michigan