Grand Island North Light

Perched on the northern tip of Grand Island in Lake Superior, this historic lighthouse has guided mariners since 1854. Originally built to mark the treacherous shipping lanes near Munising, Michigan, the square brick tower stands as one of the Upper Peninsula’s earliest navigational aids. The light remains active, though the station is not open to public access or climbing.

Photographers find the best light during golden hour in summer and early fall, when the surrounding Hiawatha National Forest blazes with color. Grand Island itself is part of the Hiawatha National Forest recreation area, offering hiking, kayaking, and views of nearby Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore — one of Michigan’s most spectacular stretches of coastline.