 Big Sable Lighthouse Michigan has 115 lighthouses that sit in absolutely wonderful settings. This is Big Sable Point Lighthouse near Ludington, Mi. It is our personal favorite. We visit it almost every year. We vacation in Ludington and have for over 20 years. The area is fabulous. At the lighthouse the water is crystal clear and beautiful blue. A great spot to swim and enjoy the privacy of being the only ones on the beach. This lighthouse is open for climbing during the summer and Don has climbed it several times. I don't like the see-thru stairs. Yuk! All of the pictures that I will use on this page are my photos. So if I've missed some lighthouses, it's because I haven't got them on yet or I haven't been to them. (there are some island and shoal lights I haven't been to yet)For a complete view of my lighthouse pictures go to my web site at ethelsphotos.com More info. www.bigsablelighthouse.org This is a link to Michigan.org that will give you a lot of travel options for our great state and current activity information. www.michigan.org You can go to this site and click on the name of the lighthouse and get lots of information about that light. So you can use this for any of the following lights also. www.terrypepper.com To see more of Ethels Photos or if you would like to purchase a photo go to ethelsphotos.com |
 Grand Haven LighthouseThis is another wonderful spot. What is so great about lighthouses is that they are always by a big body of water. The views are stunning. Grand Haven has TWO lighthouses and the added benefit of a catwalk that is lit up at night. Many times you can watch the handgliders and wind surfers. We camped there once and our trailer windows over looked this scene. Wow!!! More Info about this lighthouse. michiganlights.com or www.wrenscottage.com or lighthouse.boatnerd.com |
 Ludington North PierheadThis lighthouse is in downtown Ludington and always has many people walking the distance out to the lighthouse. We once stayed at a motel nearby and unfortunately the fog horn blew all night. I made this shot of the lighthouse during this years (06)vacation. The city beach is on the north side of the breakwater and the marina is on the south side of the breakwater opening up to Pere Marquette Lake. More info. www.michigan.org |
 Little Sable LighthouseThe Little Sable Lighthouse sits on the Lake Michigan shore just south of the famous Silver Lake Sand dunes. It has only the tower left and can be climbed during the summer on Saturday and Sunday. They just started opening it up for climbing last year (06). Don climbed this one, this year (07). If you would like to ride the nearby sand dunes, here is a website. www.macwoodsdunerides.com If you'd like more info about this lighthouse try these websites. www.michiganlights.com or www.michigan.org |
 South Manitou Island LighthouseThis lighthouse can only be viewed by taking a boat to Manitou Island, which we did the summer of (06). It is a beautiful light. It was open for climbing, so of course, Don did. He took some really awesome pictures from the top and I took some really awesome pictures from the bottom. It always helps to take awesome pictures when you have an awesome view. If you'd like to take the cruise to Manitou Island here is the cruise lines website. www.leelanau.com For more lighthouse info: www.michigan.org |
 Crisp Point LighthouseThe trip to get to this lighthouse is half the fun. It is out on a wilderness piece of land in the Upper Pennisula. We drove and drove through a narrow gravel road and did not see another car. When we finally made it, the drive was definately worth it. What a gorgeous view of Lake Superior. Don and I waded in the water (it was early September) and were surprised at how pleasant the water was, not cold at all. More Info. www.michigan.org |
 Point Iroquois LighthouseThis one is in the U.P. also. Northwest of Sault Ste. Marie. Don climbed this one. The rest of us enjoyed it from the ground level. You're saying, "chickens". Yes I guess I am. It's those darn see-thru stairs again. More info. www.michigan.org |
 East Channel Grand Island LighthouseThis light is in the U.P. also, near Munising, Mi. We took a boat to see the Pictured Rocks and this is in the channel out of the bay at Munising to Lake Superior. It is really a picturesque spot, as you can see. There are also two other range lights in Munising. More info. www.michigan.org |
 Munising Range LighthouseThis is a range light in the city of Munising and it is surrounded by private residences. This is about the best shot a person can get with all the other buildings around it. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Pictured Rock National LakeshorePictured Rocks was fabulous. We had prefect weather for a boat trip. The rock formations and the color of the crystal clear Lake Superior water was outstanding. I have many more pictures of the rocks. And the ride included a lighthouse and waterfall. For the boat tour. www.picturedrocks.com Info: www.nps.gov |
 Whitefish Point LighthouseThis is another Lake Superior Light. It is located on the opposite point of Whitefish Bay as Sault Ste. Marie on a northern tip of land. There is a museum and a bed and breakfast there, but the tower was not open for climbing. Notice the different style of tower. The flys were merciless on the beach. This is one of the oldest lighthouses on Lake Superior, established in 1849. More Info. www.exploringthenorth.com www.michigan.org |
 Lower Tahquamenon FallsWhile we are looking at lighthouses in the U.P., let me take you to the Tahquamenon Falls. This is a picture of the lower falls. What a beautiful spot. There are some tours of the falls offered at this website. www.exploringthenorth.com |
 Upper Tahquamenon FallsObviously this is the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. It roars and is very impressive. If you think you might like to live up near this natural wonder, think again. The average January minimum temperature is 8 F and maximum temperature is 23 F. July's minimum temperature is 53 F and maximum is 76 F. The average rainfall is 33 inches and snowfall is 108 inches. It might explain why there are only 7.8 people per square mile. |
 The Mighty Big Mac BridgeSpanning across the straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to connect Lower Michigan to Upper Michigan is the Mackinac Bridge. It spans 5 miles across. It's main towers are 552 ft. tall. It contains 466,300 cu.yds. of concrete and weighs 1,024,500 tons. If you'd like more facts about this man-made wonder or want info about the annual bridge walk here's the website. www.mackinacbridge.org |
 Bois Blanc Island LighthouseThis is one of the lights you would see on the Shepler's boat cruise. It is on the north side of the island. When we were there the boat did not get to close because there were large commercial fishing nets in the water around the area. I had to zoom in to get this picture. More info. www.michigan.org |
  Round Island LightRound Island Light is located on an island just east of Mackinac Island and this is on its west point. It warns boats of the shallows between the two islands. We took a Shepler's boat trip and saw this light and the next few lighthouses. If you'd like to take this tour, they have one out of Macinaw City for both the Lake Huron side and the Lake Michigan side. Here is a link to their website. www.sheplersferry.com More lighthouse info: www.michigan.org |
 Round Island Passage LightThis light sits in the water between Mackinac Island and Round Island. It has a Indian head on the tower. The water is shallow between the two islands and this light marks the passage between it and the Round Island light. More Info. www.fishweb.com |
 Poe Reef Shoal LighthouseThis is another light in the Lake Huron waters. It is located northeast of the Cheboygan Crib. It is a shoal light with plenty of those nasty fish-eating cormorants. Those birds hang around many of the shoal lights. More info. www.michigan.org |
 Fourteen Foot Shoal LightFourteen Foot Shoal Light is just outside of the Cheboygan Harbor warning boats of the shallows approaching. It is also one of the lights you will see on the Shepler's Boat Cruises. Can you imagine one of the old lightkeepers that had to live on one of these. Talk about lonely. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Cheboygan Crib LighthouseThis light is the last light to see on the Lake Huron cruise. It sits on a slip of land at the entry of the Cheboygan River. We went down the river and saw a brand new, not commissioned yet, Coast Guard Cutter. Also at the end of the river you can see a range light. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Old Mackinac Point LighthouseWe spent quite a bit of time at this lighthouse. We sat in front of it one evening waiting to get a picture of the Mackinac Bridge with the lights lit. It made it difficult to face the bridge with it sitting behind you. So I would take a picture of it, then the bridge, then the lighthouse, then the bridge, etc. More info: www.michigan.org |
 White Shoal LighthouseWhite Shoals was the first light to be seen after the boat left Mackinaw City. It was 22 miles out into Lake Michigan. Wow!!! This was one that my sister-in-law, Stella, was looking forward to seeing. I guess it was her favorite. I think it was a little disappointing. It was covered with bird droppings and NOT as picturesque as the postcards have shown. It was still pretty awesome to see it way out there in the middle of Lake Michigan. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Gray's Reef LighthouseGray's Reef Light was the southern most light in Lake Michigan that the boat took us to. If you had good eyes or binoculars you could have looked way south of Gray's Reef and seen the light on Skillagalee, but it was far enough to barely see and I didn't get a picture of it. Gray's Reef was known to be such a treacherous spot that one of the earliest lightships was used here and then in 1936 the permanent light was built. |
 Forty Mile Point LighthouseIf you use your hand to show Michigan and the tip of your middle finger is Mackinaw City then Forty Mile Point Lighthouse is at the eastern tip of your pointer finger. There now is that as clear as mud. It is about 35 miles southeast of Cheboygan. It is a beautiful spot. I could stay there all day and not get my fill. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Manistee LighthouseManistee is about 21 miles north of Ludington or somewhere about in the top bend of your baby finger. The beach is beautiful as most of Lake Michigan beaches are. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Old Mission Point LighthouseIt is located on the northern tip of the pennisula that divides the east and west arm of Grand Traverse Bay. An absolutely breathtaking location and the drive there is very picturesque, and just wonderful. If you like to stop at a winery and taste or just enjoy the view, there is one on the top of a big hill with vineyards on both sides and the bays on both sides. Absolutely stunning views. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Robert H Manning Memorial LightThis light is one of two lights in Michigan that are memorials. It is located near Empire, Mi. which is near the The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. It sits in a parking lot next to Lake Michigan beach and Glen Lake. I apologize for the darkness of the photo. As you can see from the clouds, this trip did not cooperate with perfect weather. |
 Pennisula PointPennisula Point is just across the bay from Escanaba, Mi. We have a little story about our trip to this light. We were getting close to sunset and wanted to get to this light before it was to late to take pictures. So we mentioned to Don,who was driving, that it might be too dark. He decided to help us out. He SPED. This was a little country road, just one lane each way, that was winding and he at one time was going 60. After we squealed around one bend, I finally told him it wasn't a life and death matter if we didn't get pictures. He slowed to 50. We made it and got a few pictures before dark. On the way back we saw lots, and I mean lots, of deer. We were all very thankful that we didn't see them on the road on the way in. More info: www.michigan.org |
 South Haven Pier LightThis light has a catwalk. From my understanding the light keeper, or whoever might need to get to the light in inclement weather, would use these to hold on to to climb to the light. Pretty scary if you ask me. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Seul Choix Point LighthouseThis light is on the tip of a pennisula on the lower shores of the U.P. east of Manistique. We spent a little to much time there, which is why we were late getting to Pennisula Point. More info: www.michigan.org |
 White River LightWe have been to this light several times. It sits on a hill, probably a sand dune, between Lake Michigan and White Lake. It is open for climbing, but wasn't any of the times that we were there. It's a very pretty spot. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Tri-Centennial Park LighthouseThis is a new light built in 2004, I think. It is on the Detriot River in Detroit, just north of the Rennaisance Center. It is in Tri-Centennial State Park. A new state park, yes, in downtown Detroit. Your tax dollars at work. When we were there it was providing shelter for the homeless. It is a nice little park and marina. |
 St. Joseph Pier LightsWe spent the night at a motel a little ways in front of these lights. I actually got some pictures with the outer light lit and some beautiful sunset pictures. I think I'll ad it. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Sunset at St. Joseph beachWe were leaving the light and the sun was setting, so I lingered to get a sunset picture. We were on the wrong side to get the sunset with the lights. Next time maybe. |
 Holland Harbor Light (known affectionately as Big Red)We have been to this light several times, but the best pictures were from this spring when we took in the Holland Tulip Festival. You have to go through a private section to get to this side of the lighthouse and it is a walk, but worth it. Most pictures are from the other side where the state park is. If I had space I would share some of the tulip pictures we got when we were there. They are fabulous. If you e-mail to see them, I'll send a few to you. More info: www.michigan.org There is also a Tunnel Park not far from the lighthouse and state park. Here's a link: www.michigan.org |
 Lots of the TulipsIf you decide to go Michigans Holland Tulip Festival, don't just go to the Windmill Island. Go to the Island, but also go to Veldheer Farm. You have to pay to go to both, but it is worth it, especially if you like tulips. The farm has thousands of tulips, but also flowering trees, bushes and neat stuff. You are sure to enjoy it. If you want to enjoy the Tulip Festival here's a link to it's date, etc. www.michigan.org A link to info. about Windmill Island www.michigan.org |
 Huron LightshipThis is a lightship which was replaced by a shoal light. They used to put these boats out in the shallow water to warn ships of the low water. This one now sits just south of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron actually on dry land. It is open to the public as a museum for a small fee. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Fort Gratiot LighthouseThis is Michigan's oldest lighthouse. It is located just north of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. It is on Coast Guard property and can only be viewed from the water, the next door park or on one of the days when the lighthouse society has it open. We have been to this light several times, we hit it right this September's trip and were able to go near it and of course, Don climbed it. We were even here in a nasty snowstorm. More info: www.michigan.org If you go to this link, the picture is not as it is right now. They have a fence around it and BIG signs warning trespasser's of the consequences. |
 Port Sanilac LighthouseThis lighthouse is the city of Port Sanilac. It is owned privately and cannot be accessed. You have to walk out on a piece of land next to it that made the marina. We did that, but then we drove over to the marina and walked out on the docks and took some pictures. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Harbor Beach Breakwater LighthouseHarbor Beach Light is way, way, way out in the bay. To get this picture I had to zoom in to the max on my camera. Both times when we've been to this light the weather has not been cooperative. I tried to wait until the sun came out of the cloud, but it's still a little dark. Sorry. I have a picture with the sun on it, but it is so far away it is very tiny white thing. More info and a better picture: www.michigan.org |
 Point Aux Barques LighthouseThis is a cool light. It is located just east of the tip of the Thumb. The beach is rocky, as many of the Lake Huron beaches are. It is an active light and there is museum and you can go inside, but not climb. Whenever we've been there they have not been open. Maybe we need better planning. I read that they have one day a year when you can climb it. We'll have to plan and get Don up it yet. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Port Austin ReefThis is probably the worst picture I have, but it's the only one I could get from the beach in Port Austin. This light is actually about 2 miles off shore. We didn't have our boat, so we couldn't have zipped out there for a better shot. You'll have to use your imagination to clear this picture up or go to the state's link. They have a better picture: www.michigan.org |
 Sturgeon PointWow, what a neat spot. There really is a point here. You can walk out on it and have water on both sides of you. It's beautiful. The beach is rocky, but it is still so pretty that you want to stay and stay. I have a lot of neat shots at this lighthouse. If you want to see them go to my website at ethelsphotos.com More info: www.michigan.org |
 Sturgeon Point StaircaseI just thought you might want to see why I don't climb these lighthouses. Obviously Don climbed this one. Actually his hip was bothering him and yet he still climbed four lighthouses in the same day. Wow, quite a feat for him. Note that if you were on these staircases you would be able to see way, way, way down. I repeat, Yuk! |
 New Presque Isle LighthouseThis is number three of Don's trek up the light towers. From the top he took pictures of the Isle with water on both sides. Another very cool spot to check out. There is a little shop here, so that's where my sister-in-law, Stella, and I spent our time waiting for him to come down. I said he went up them, but I never mentioned how long it took him. Oh yeah, I spent some money in this little shop. And the one at Sturgeon Point, and the one at Tawas Point. He climbs, I spend. More lighthouse info: www.michigan.org |
 Tawas PointTawas Point is excellent. It is an absolutely gorgeous place. There is a state park there with trails, to die for beach, camping, lighthouse, store, lots of cool stuff. We hope to get there with our trailer some day. A person could stay here all summer and not want to leave. The light is owned by the coast guard and they don't like to share with the rest of us, so you can't go up in this one. They were working on it when we were there and I think might open it up to us soon. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Old Presque Isle LighthouseI almost climbed this one. It's small and has a solid staircase. By the time I realized this, Don had already come down and the group was ready to leave. Next time I will. It's not very tall either. Beautiful bay here. There are also two range lights near here, but they are unimpressive so I didn't take pictures. More info: www.michigan.org If I sometimes don't tell you where a lighthouse is, then this link will give directions. |
 Alpena LightWe got here in the morning and it was difficult to get close enough to get a good picture. Maybe next time it will improve. It is actually red, but it's hard to tell in this picture. The link to the state's info. doesn't even have a picture, so this is what you get. www.michigan.org |
 Livingston Memorial LightWe took a little day trip an saw this light on Belle Isle in Detroit. There are only 2 Memorial lights and this is one of them. The Robert Manning Memorial Light is the other one. See that little person in blue out there, that's my sister, Pauline. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Pesche Island LightThis light was originally on Pesche Island near Belle Isle, but now it is on the St. Clair river in Marine City. You can't go up it, you can only look at it and take pictures. But since it is on the St. Clair river you can see Big ships going by. One time when we were there, a big ship went by when it was just getting dark and it was all lit up and pretty cool. |
 Windmill Point LighthouseThis light is in a little park a little ways up the river from Belle Isle in Grosse Pointe, I think. It is in Lake St. Clair. |
 Frankfort North LightWe have been to this light several times as you pass through Frankfort on your way to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I have a few pictures of this light, all of them a little dark. If you go to this site you can see a closer, lighter picture. This was taken at a beautiful city beach just before sunset. www.michigan.org |
 Point Betsie LighthousePoint Betsie is just north of Frankfort, just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan. It is a very photogenic light. When we were there this summer (06)there were at least two other photographers there who really were photographers. You can climb this light, but both times that we were there it was closed. Maybe next year Don will get his chance. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Sleeping Bear National LakeshoreNo trip up the northern side of Lake Michigan is complete without visiting the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. They are awesome. Whether you climb a dune or not the sights are phenominal. They have a road trail through the dunes with occasional lookouts that are nothing short of spectacular. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Sand Point LighthouseThere are some very interesting stories about this lighthouse. First it was built backwards. It does not face the water, it faces town. The other story is a sad one. There was a fire and a woman died. The light is located in the U.P. in Escanaba. More info: www.michigan.org History of the light: www.terrypepper.com |
 St. Helena Island LighthouseThis is the last lighthouse you see on the Lake Michigan side of the Shepler's boat tour. It is west of Machinac Island and on the east of St. Helena Island. It is very pretty. More Info: www.michigan.org |
 Manistique East Breakwater LighthouseManistique is located on the Lake Michigan side of the U.P. We didn't take the time on this trip to walk out the breakwater to the light. This picture is as good as it gets for my pictures. The state has a better one try here www.michigan.org |
 Waugoshance LightThis light was on the Lake Michigan Shepler's tour. It is very old and falling apart. But the water where it is was very, very shallow, so you can be sure it was needed. It sits at the end of a shallow piece on sandbar. The boat did not get very close. More info: www.michigan.org |
 Grand Traverse LighthouseThis is a very pretty lighthouse, unfortunately when I was there the weather wasn't nice and I had my old camera. But if you go to this site, you'll see that it is really very pretty. More info: www.michigan.org All the info you could want: www.terrypepper.com |
 Upper Pennisula WaterfallsWhen we were in the U.P. from Escanaba to Munising we stopped at several really nice waterfalls. So if you make a trip to the U.P. don't miss the waterfalls. This one is Munising Falls right in Munising. There is also Alger Falls, Wagner Falls, Au Train Falls, and Spray Falls on the Pictured Rocks Tour. We already mentioned Tahquamenon Falls. There are others in the U.P. also. For a map of the Michigan Waterfalls go to this site. When you pass your mouse over the name a picture shows: www.gowaterfalling.com For a complete list of Mi. Waterfalls go here: www.fishweb.com |
 Michigans Covered BridgesThis is The Langley Covered Bridge. We discovered it on a color tour across the bottom of the state. If you want something unusual to photograph or just happen to be in the area, covered bridges are a little bit of yesteryear. For a complete list of Michigan's Covered Bridges check out this site. Ignore that it says Ohio Barns, it will really take you to a list of Michigan bridges. If you want to see my other covered bridges pictures go to my web site at ethelsphotos.com youhttp://www.ohiobarns.com/covbri/mi/micb.html |
 Charlevoix LightCharlevoix is a beautiful city. This light has an outstanding beach and park just below it. I have been to Charlevoix several times, but last year we went there again on our way to a family reunion. The city has some very unique houses. They look like old European cottages. If you ever get near Charlevoix don't miss the beach and of course the lighthouse. |
 Ludington Car FerryIf you ever want a quick way to Wisconsin, the Ludington Car Ferry is the answer, plus you get the added benefit of visiting Ludington. Definately God's country. The car ferry leaves Ludington every day in the summer and like the name inplys, you and your car can be a passenger. If you would like some information about the car ferry here's the website. www.ssbadger.com |
 Middle Island LightMiddle Island is just off the shore near Alpena. In October Alpena host a Lighthouse Festival, which we attended in 2007. I was a little disappointed in the festival, it wasn't much, but we did take a very cold ferry out to the Island. When you get to the Island, then you have to walk down a path across the Island about a mile to the lighthouse. They had the keepers quarters open with hot coffee, etc., and a very nice view of the shoreline. They say you can rent that place for overnight stays. It was nice. During the Lighthouse Festival they have most of the Lake Huron lighthouses open for climbing. Don climbed a couple that he hadn't been up before. Me, I like the ground level view. This years festival is October 9-12. If you would like information about the Lighthouse Festival here's the website www.lighthousefestival.org |
