Rising above the northern shore of Michigan Island in Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands, this 1929 steel-skeleton lighthouse replaced the island’s original 1857 light station. The Bureau of Lighthouses constructed the tower to improve navigation through the treacherous island passages of Lake Superior. Its automated light remains active today, guiding vessels through these waters.

The lighthouse is not open to public access, though kayakers and boaters can view the striking tower from the water. Golden hour during late summer and early fall offers the best photography conditions, with warm light against Lake Superior’s deep blue. Nearby, visitors can explore the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, sea caves, and the historic Michigan Island Old Light.

Explore Nearby

• Big Bay State Park — State Park in Wisconsin
• Birch Bay State Park — State Park in Washington
• Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
• Smith Rapids Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Wisconsin
• Ottawa National Forest — National Forest in Michigan