12 Michigan Lighthouses with Easy Access in Winter (+1 You Can Even Tour!)
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Michigan has nearly 120 lighthouses, which sounds like a fun problem until winter shows up and reminds you that not all of them are a casual stop in February. Snow, ice, closed roads, and lake effect reality narrow the list fast. The good news is that winter is when Michigan lighthouses really show off.
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This is the season of frozen spray, ice shelves stacked like sculptures, and waves that look borderline theatrical. The crowds disappear, the lakes turn moody, and the lights feel less like postcard props and more like working sentinels. For this list, we stuck to lighthouses you can reach in a normal passenger vehicle, no snowmobile, no epic trek, no questionable parking decisions.
Each one offers either a clear view from shore or easy walk-up access, making them ideal winter stops that deliver maximum drama with minimal effort.
Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner & Outer Lights | Grand Haven
Grand Haven’s iconic red lighthouses are about as winter-friendly as it gets. They sit at the end of a long, flat boardwalk that starts right from city streets and plowed parking along the channel. You can get great views and photos from the riverwalk, the state park beach, or the north side lot, all with short, level walks on paved paths that are usually maintained year-round.
It’s one of the best options if you want winter drama without icy adventures, and it’s a solid choice for visitors with mobility concerns, too. Heads up: Nobody is going to stop you from walking the catwalk to the outer lighthouse, but we don’t recommend it, especially for those looking for an “easy” lighthouse to access.
St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights | St. Joseph
The St. Joseph lighthouses check both boxes: easy winter access and big visual payoff. You can reach them from Silver Beach County Park or Tiscornia Park, both of which have plowed parking and short, mostly flat walks to the piers. Even if you never step onto the pier itself, the views from shore are excellent.
Winter is when these lights really earn their reputation. Ice builds along the pier rails, waves crash straight in from Lake Michigan, and the white tower with its red top pops hard against gray skies and frozen water. It feels dramatic without feeling remote, which is exactly why St. Joseph is such a reliable winter lighthouse stop. Just stay off the catwalk due to big waves and falling icicle risks.
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Holland Harbor Light, aka “Big Red” | Holland
Holland’s Big Red is a classic winter lighthouse stop, even though you’re viewing it from across the channel. That actually works in its favor this time of year. You can park near Holland State Park or along the channel and get a clear, unobstructed view without dealing with long walks or icy pier conditions.
The lighthouse stands out beautifully in winter. Snow-dusted dunes, frozen shoreline, and gray Lake Michigan skies make that red tower pop in a way summer never quite delivers. It’s an easy in-and-out visit that still feels iconic,
Little Sable Point Lighthouse | Mears
Little Sable Point near Mears feels wild in winter, but getting there is surprisingly simple. You’re not bushwhacking through dunes or committing to a long hike. The drive brings you right into the state park, and the lighthouse is basically right there, rising out of the sand.
What makes it worth the stop is the openness. Snow, wind, and Lake Michigan stretching forever in both directions give this place a quiet, almost lonely vibe that summer crowds never allow. It’s one of those lighthouses where the payoff is immediate, and you don’t have to work for it.
Grand Traverse Lighthouse | Northport
Grand Traverse Lighthouse is one of the most winter-friendly lighthouses at the very top of the Lower Peninsula. You can drive all the way to the park on paved, maintained roads, and the lighthouse sits just a short walk from the parking area. No long approach, no tricky terrain, and no guessing where you’re allowed to go.
Winter suits this place. The tip of the Leelanau Peninsula feels dramatic without feeling inaccessible, and the views over both Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay are excellent, even if you never leave the immediate area.
Fort Gratiot | Port Huron
You’d expect Michigan’s oldest lighthouse to come with some winter complications, but Fort Gratiot is refreshingly simple. It sits right in Port Huron with paved access, plowed parking, and no lakefront hike required. You can walk the grounds, explore the area around the light, and get great views of Lake Huron and the busy shipping channel without dealing with ice-covered piers or uneven terrain.
If you’re visiting with a large group, you can book a tour appointment year-round, which is rare for a Michigan lighthouse. Just keep expectations realistic in winter. High winds or icy conditions often mean the tower itself stays closed, but even from the ground, Fort Gratiot is worth the stop.
White River Light Station | Whitehall
White River Light Station is an easy winter win, especially if you want lighthouse views without venturing onto icy piers. You can reach it by driving straight to the White Lake area, with parking close to the grounds and no long approach required. From there, it’s a short, mostly level walk to see the tower and surrounding buildings.
The only caution here is if a recent snowstorm leaves the roads unpaved, but you can check road conditions before venturing out.
Manistee North Pierhead & South Pierhead Lighthouses | Manistee
Manistee actually has two pierhead lighthouses, one on the north pier and one on the south pier, and winter is the ideal time to appreciate them without walking either pier. From the riverwalk area near First Street Beach at Douglas Park, you can see both lights framing the river mouth as it meets Lake Michigan.
It’s an easy, shore-based view with solid parking nearby and no exposure to the worst wind and ice. You still get the full harbor-entrance perspective, which is what makes this spot so satisfying in winter.
Point Betsie Lighthouse | Frankfort
Point Betsie Lighthouse hits a sweet spot between wild and doable, which is why it’s often on winter lighthouse shortlists. The access road is a plowed county road, and the parking area sits close enough that you’re not committing to a long walk just to see the tower. On a typical winter day, it’s a quick, mostly flat stroll to get great views.
That said, this isn’t a fully groomed state park setup. After heavy snow, ice, or during strong winds, the last stretch can get slick and uneven. For most visitors, it’s still very manageable, but anyone with mobility concerns will want to check conditions before heading out.
Mission Point Lighthouse | photo via susan488andmore
Mission Point Lighthouse | Traverse City
Mission Point Lighthouse is an easy winter win thanks to its location at the end of a peninsula at Old Mission State Park. The drive is fully paved, and you can park close to the lighthouse without navigating rugged terrain or long approaches. Even in colder months, access is straightforward compared to many northern Michigan lights.
What makes it especially appealing in winter is the setting. The lighthouse sits quietly at the tip of the peninsula where Grand Traverse Bay opens wide, with snow-covered shoreline and big, open water views in every direction.
Milliken State Park Lighthouse | Detroit
Milliken State Park Lighthouse proves you don’t have to leave the city to find an easy winter lighthouse stop. Sitting right along the Detroit Riverwalk, this modern lighthouse is surrounded by paved paths, cleared walkways, and nearby parking, making it one of the most accessible lights in the state year-round.
Winter gives it a different personality. Freighters slide past through icy water, the skyline adds an urban backdrop you don’t get anywhere else, and the river stays active even when the lakes feel locked up. It’s a lighthouse experience that’s more city grit than frozen pier.
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Wawatam Lighthouse | St. Ignace
Wawatam Lighthouse is one of the easiest Upper Peninsula lights to see in winter, mostly because you don’t have to chase it down. It sits right in downtown St. Ignace along the waterfront, with paved access, nearby parking, and clear views from shore.
This one is small and modern, but the location does the heavy lifting. You get sweeping views of the Straits of Mackinac, the Mackinac Bridge looming overhead, and freighters moving through year-round. In winter, the ice, wind, and wide-open water make the scene feel dramatic without requiring a hike or pier walk.
How to Make Michigan Lighthouse Visits Even Easier in Winter
Winter lighthouse trips in Michigan are all about stacking the odds in your favor. Stick to locations with paved paths, short walks, and shoreline viewpoints when possible. If mobility is a concern, many state and local parks offer winter-friendly “track chairs” that can be borrowed at no cost, which can make a huge difference on snow-packed or icy surfaces.
Footwear matters more than you think. Waterproof boots with real traction beat cute winter shoes every time, and traction cleats are worth tossing in the car. Watch wave conditions, stay well back from icy piers, and never turn your back on the lake. Winter lighthouses are stunning, but they demand a little respect.