Standing on remote Plum Island in Wisconsin’s Door County waters since 1897, this rear range light guided vessels through the treacherous Porte des Morts — “Death’s Door” — passage between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island. The skeletal iron tower was part of a range light system helping mariners navigate the dangerous strait. Still an active aid to navigation, the light is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The island is not open to the public, so visitors can only view the tower from the water aboard ferry crossings or private boats. Golden hour boat passes offer the best photography. Nearby, explore Washington Island, the Door County peninsula, and Plum Island’s companion front range light.

Explore Nearby

• Wisconsin Lake Superior Byway — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin State Trunk Highway System — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
• Newport State Park — Dark Sky Site in Wisconsin
• Grand Traverse Island State Park — State Park in Wisconsin
• Peninsula State Park — State Park in Wisconsin