Don’t Miss Exploring Frozen Michigan Lighthouses in Winter

Have you ventured out to enjoy any frozen Michigan lighthouses this winter? Exploring Michigan lighthouses in winter is one of the best winter things to do in Michigan, and we’re thankful for so many great Michigan photographers who share their winter lighthouse explorations with us on Instagram!

There are over 100 lighthouses in Michigan – the most in one state in the nation – which tourists flock to each and every summer. Droves of people visit the resort towns and coastline of Lake Michigan every year during the warmer months. Michigan’s Great Lakes have a lot to offer in the winter as well, especially when it comes to lighthouse and shoreline beauty.

As we’ve enjoyed exploring these same Michigan lighthouses during the cold winter months (whether in person or through amazing photos of frozen Michigan lighthouses), we’d like to argue that Michigan lighthouses look better in winter.

Fewer Crowds at Frozen Lighthouses in Michigan

One of the perks of exploring frozen lighthouses in Michigan is that the crowds of summer aren’t around. You’ll see mainly the winter in Michigan enthusiasts and Michigan photographers battling the frigid winds coming off the lake, along with large balls of ice, snowdrifts, and slippery roads.

Tips for Michigan Lighthouse Winter Adventures

Awesome Mitten contributor, Aaron Cruz, shared:

“I’ve climbed snow piles to reach the South Haven Light and St. Joseph lighthouses on Lake Michigan in the winter. When the easterly winds pick up on these exposed lighthouses, look out! The waves come crashing onto the pier and into the lighthouse, creating ice on everything it touches when temps are far below freezing. Michigan’s coastline that sits on the windy, east side of Lake Michigan is a reason many people, including myself, flock to its lighthouses in winter.”

During most winters, Aaron suggested visiting early in the season before the lake starts to freeze over, meaning fewer waves, hence less chance of ice on the lighthouses, piers, and other surfaces.

Exploring Michigan Lighthouses in Winter

Aaron Cruz explored Lake Michigan’s coastline to find some frozen lighthouses, and he shared his adventures with us…

Are you looking for a scenic Michigan road trip that you can take no matter the season or weather conditions? Consider the lighthouses and the surrounding beaches, shoreline, and small towns that dot the Lake Michigan coastline: Sun, rain, ice, snow, wind – this Great Lakes coastline is always showing off its beauty.

In December, getting anywhere near Lake Michigan can be a challenge, usually bringing feet upon feet of lake-effect snow. An unusually warm start to the season, though, made for an autumn-like feel at times, but nevertheless beautiful.

Muskegon

NOTE: Lumbertown Coffee closed in January 2024

Before heading to the coastline in the morning, I recommend that you head downtown and grab a pour over coffee at Lumbertown Coffee. If it’s later in the day, grab a pint and listen to some music at the brewery within the same space, Unruly Brewing Company.

Once at the coast, find a place to park at the sandy Pere Marquette Park along Beach Street. Here is your chance to check out the homes that line the nearby streets with sand dunes instead of grass in their front yards. At times, you might not be able to see the pavement on the road either.

Heading onto the pier, you’ll usually pass fishermen as you’re walking towards the 53-foot tall Muskegon South Pierhead. The lighthouse is located on the south end of the channel connecting Lake Michigan to Muskegon Lake. Signs of winter are present with the pier resembling a skating rink in spots and beautiful ice forming on the lighthouse.

Tip: For a longer adventure, park at Beachwood Park and head onto the boardwalk for a fifteen-minute walk to the pier alongside the sand dunes and shoreline.

Grand Haven

Hop on US-31 south for about fifteen minutes and you’ll quickly be in the small resort town that was featured in the movie American Pie 2.

The Grand Haven lighthouses sit within Grand Haven State Park and along the Lake Michigan shoreline at the mouth of the Grand River. Be sure to take a walk from downtown to the pier and lighthouse on the one-and-a-half-mile boardwalk (Lighthouse Connector Park) that runs alongside the river.

The Grand Haven South Pierhead Entrance Light and Inner Light are connected to the mainland by one of four catwalks left in Michigan. Just off the pier, grab some panoramic views from up-top the sand dunes, as well, some more sandy open road shots await on South Harbor Drive.

Holland’s Big Red

Are you still looking for more? Continue your drive south down US-31 for about twenty-five minutes, and you’ll reach the town that’s home to the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan, Big Red. The Holland Harbor Light sits alongside the channel connecting Lake Michigan with Lake Macatawa.

The lighthouse sits on private property, so the ability to get up close is limited. The opposite side of the channel and Holland State Park is the best public viewing spot. While you’re there, be sure to walk the beach, boardwalk, pier, and other sandy areas.

Head inland about fifteen minutes into the heart of town, and here you should grab a craft beer and some eats at New Holland Brewery or a coffee at Lemonjello’s. Now is the time to walk the downtown streets and popular shopping area, stopping in at Holland Peanut Store if you have a sweet tooth.

10 More Michigan Lighthouses With Easy Access in Winter

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 | 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.

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.

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.

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.

More Photos of Frozen Michigan Lighthouses in Winter

With so many lighthouses in Michigan, there’s no shortage of frozen lighthouses to see! Here are just a few of our favorite photos of Michigan lighthouses in winter…

Plan a Visit to See Winter Lighthouses in Michigan

Have you ever visited a Michigan lighthouse in winter? Which Michigan lighthouse frozen by winter’s elements is your favorite to see? What other frozen Michigan lighthouses do you recommend checking out?

There are so many great things to do in Michigan in winter, including romantic winter getaways in Michigan and family-friendly Michigan winter destinations to visit!

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Thanks to Aaron Cruz for his contributions to this article.