Point Betsie Lighthouse

This 19th-century lighthouse has been providing navigation aid for vessels in Lake Michigan for over 160 years.

The Point Betsie Lighthouse is situated on the northeastern shore of vast Lake Michigan and was established in 1858 after four years of construction. This lighthouse is still acting as a navigation aid, and it also happened to be one of the first functional life-saving stations as of 1875. The passage that the lighthouse is located near was once one of the most vital shipping channels in the area and still provides guidance for the US Coast Guard. The lighthouse is situated on dunes that rise 52 feet above the lake, offering unmatched views for visitors of the surroundings and massive aid for the vessels that use it for safety and navigation purposes.

The Point Betsie Lighthouse is closed during the winter season but opens up once the weather is warmer and more ideal for exploration of this remarkable place and its surroundings. Guided tours are offered and provide you with the chance to climb up the 34 steps and experience the 19th-century lighthouse keeper’s residence. There’s a museum on the property, as well, recognized as the Boathouse Museum, which gives guests an inside look at additional history of the lighthouse and information about some of the rescues that have taken place over the course of Point Betsie’s existence. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children between the ages of 6 and 11, and free for those under 6.