13 Michigan Lighthouses You Can Stay Overnight In
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves crashing against the shore, with the sun rising over one of the Great Lakes. As a Michigan native, I’ve been fascinated by our Great Lakes lighthouses for as long as I can remember — and discovering that you can actually spend the night in some of them? That took my obsession to a whole new level.
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, with over 120 dotting our coastline from Lake Superior to Lake Huron. But did you know that 13 of them offer the chance to stay overnight? Whether through a charming B&B, a vacation rental, or a volunteer keeper program, these are the Michigan lighthouses where you can sleep with the sound of the Great Lakes outside your window.
In a Nutshell: Michigan Lighthouses You Can Stay In
Michigan is home to 13 lighthouses that offer overnight stays. Options include a full B&B experience (Big Bay Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior), vacation rentals (Eagle River Lighthouse on the Keweenaw Peninsula and Point Betsie Lighthouse near Frankfort), an apartment rental (McGulpin Point near Mackinaw City), volunteer keeper programs (Grand Traverse, Tawas Point, Pointe aux Barques, Cheboygan, St. Helena Island, Crisp Point, 40 Mile Point, and Mission Point), and group overnights (Fort Gratiot in Port Huron). Stays range from $25/person for group overnights to $205+/night for B&B rooms, with most available from late May through October.
⭐ Quick Picks: Michigan Lighthouses You Can Stay In
🏆 Best Overall: Big Bay Point Lighthouse — Lake Superior B&B with seven guest rooms, fireplaces, and breakfast in bed
💑 Best for Couples: Eagle River Lighthouse — Private 3-bedroom vacation rental on Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula
🌅 Best Lake Michigan Views: Point Betsie Lighthouse — Weekly keeper’s quarters rental near Frankfort with world-class sunsets
🌌 Best for Stargazing: McGulpin Point Lighthouse — Year-round rental apartment near Headlands Dark Sky Park
🏕️ Best for RV Travelers: 40 Mile Point Lighthouse — RV keeper program on Lake Huron near Rogers City
👨👩👧👦 Best for Groups: Fort Gratiot Lighthouse — Bunk-room style overnights for 20+ people in Port Huron
🍷 Best Location: Mission Point Lighthouse — Keeper program in the heart of Traverse City wine country
🏝️ Most Remote: St. Helena Island Lighthouse — Uninhabited island in the Straits of Mackinac
What’s Inside This Guide
- Interactive Map of Michigan Lighthouses You Can Stay In
- Big Bay Point Lighthouse (Lake Superior B&B)
- Eagle River Lighthouse (Keweenaw Peninsula Vacation Rental)
- Point Betsie Lighthouse (Lake Michigan Weekly Rental)
- McGulpin Point Lighthouse (Year-Round Rental Near Mackinaw City)
- Crisp Point Lighthouse (Volunteer Keeper on Lake Superior)
- Mission Point Lighthouse (Keeper Program Near Traverse City)
- Tawas Point Lighthouse (Keeper Program on Lake Huron)
- Cheboygan River Front Range Light (Downtown Keeper Program)
- St. Helena Island Lighthouse (Remote Island Keeper Program)
- Grand Traverse Lighthouse (Keeper Program in Northport)
- Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse (Keeper Program on the Thumb Coast)
- 40 Mile Point Lighthouse (RV Keeper Program Near Rogers City)
- Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (Group Overnights in Port Huron)
- Good to Know Before You Go
Interactive Map of Michigan Lighthouses You Can Stay In
With over 120 Great Lakes lighthouses to see, visit, tour, and explore, it’s really no wonder Michiganders love them so much. Click anywhere on the map above to start planning your lighthouse road trip today.
Big Bay Point Lighthouse: A Romantic B&B on Lake Superior
📍 Address: 4674 Co Rd KCB, Big Bay, MI 49808 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Superior | 🛏️ Stay Type: Bed & Breakfast (7 guest rooms) | 💰 Price: Starting at ~$205/night | 📅 Season: May through early November | 🔗 Book: bigbaylighthouse.com
Nestled on a cliff above Lake Superior about 25 miles north of Marquette, Big Bay Point Lighthouse is the crown jewel of Michigan lighthouse stays. Built in 1896, it’s one of the few surviving residential lighthouses in the country — and it’s been welcoming overnight guests as a B&B since 1986.
Today the light is automated, but it still shines bright with enigmatic beauty, charm, and romance, making it the perfect couples getaway in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Current owner Nick Korstad (who also owns Browns Head Lighthouse in Maine and is President of the American Lighthouse Foundation) has lovingly restored the property, which features seven guest rooms — some with fireplaces, most with lake views — plus a sauna, spa services, and a full homemade breakfast delivered to your room each morning.
Why You’ll Love It: This is the most “turnkey” lighthouse stay in Michigan — no volunteer duties required, just pure relaxation. The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and on clear nights, you can see the Northern Lights from the property. Climb the tower (which rises 120 feet above the lake), explore 40+ acres of wooded trails, or simply sit in the Adirondack chairs and watch the freighters pass on Lake Superior.
💡 PRO TIP: Sunday tours are available to the public at noon and 1 PM from June through September ($12/person, first-come first-served, 6 spots per tour). If you’re not ready to book an overnight stay, this is a great way to see the property first.
Nearby Attraction: Presque Isle State Park, just northwest of Marquette, is home to the famed “Black Rock Cliffs.” These towering cliffs overlooking Lake Superior provide dramatic vistas of one of Michigan’s most fabled Great Lakes.
Eagle River Lighthouse: A Vacation Rental on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula
📍 Address: Eagle River, Keweenaw County, MI | 🌊 Lake: Lake Superior | 🛏️ Stay Type: Vacation Rental (entire lighthouse) | 💰 Price: Varies by season (check VRBO listing) | 📅 Season: Late spring through fall | 🔗 Book: VRBO listing
The Eagle River Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Eagle River on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Originally built in the 1850s, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1908 after 51 years of guiding mariners along one of Lake Superior’s most rugged coastlines. In the 1990s, it was purchased by historic preservationist Edward “Bud” Cole, whose family now runs the property as a private vacation rental.
Unlike most lighthouse stays where you’re in a single room, here you get the entire lighthouse to yourself. It makes a perfect jumping-off spot for exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula, or a cozy home base for a fall color tour.
Why You’ll Love It: This carefully restored lighthouse boasts 3,000 square feet of living space including a gourmet kitchen, library, three bedrooms, and two-and-a-half baths. The interior opens onto 1,200 square feet of deck space and a four-season sunroom — so you can easily move from indoor comfort to the beauty of Lake Superior’s shore.
Nearby Attraction: Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, another stunning Lake Superior lighthouse just a short drive up the coast.
Point Betsie Lighthouse: Iconic Lake Michigan Sunsets in Frankfort
📍 Address: 3701 Point Betsie Rd, Frankfort, MI 49635 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Michigan | 🛏️ Stay Type: Keeper’s Quarters Rental (weekly) | 📅 2026 Season: May 16 – October 11, 2026 | 🔗 Book: pointbetsie.org/stay
Since 1858, Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort has stood on one of the most beautiful stretches of Lake Michigan coastline, making it the oldest structure in Benzie County. The name “Betsie” actually comes from the French “Pointe Aux Bec Scies,” derived from a Native American word for sawbill ducks that thrived in a nearby river.
The lighthouse still operates today as a navigational aid for the U.S. Coast Guard and a treasured landmark in northern Michigan. But guests can also stay in the Keeper’s Quarters, which are available for weekly rentals during the tourism season. The apartment includes a queen bed, a full-size pull-out sofa bed, two twin beds, a full kitchen and bath, outdoor grill, and — best of all — unlimited tours of the lighthouse during your stay.
Why You’ll Love It: This is a gorgeous stretch of Lake Michigan coastline and a great spot for some Michigan rock-hounding. The sunsets here are absolutely legendary — watching one from the lighthouse grounds is worth the trip alone.
💡 PRO TIP: Point Betsie’s 2026 season runs May 16 through October 11. These keeper’s quarters rentals book up fast — I’d recommend checking their website as early as possible to snag your preferred week.
Nearby Attraction: Crystal Lake and charming downtown Frankfort, MI. This is one of Michigan’s top vacation destinations, and with good reason. This cute town at the foothills of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore is home to stunning Lake Michigan beaches and a fun, walkable downtown with tons of cute shops, cafes, and breweries to explore.
McGulpin Point Lighthouse: A Year-Round Escape Near Mackinaw City
📍 Address: 500 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 | 🌊 Lake: Straits of Mackinac | 🛏️ Stay Type: On-site rental apartment (McGulpin Cottage) | 📅 Season: Year-round | 🔗 Book: Emmet County website or call (231) 436-5860
Owned and preserved by Emmet County, the historic McGulpin Point Lighthouse began operation in 1869 to protect ships traveling through the Straits of Mackinac, making it one of the oldest lighthouses still on the Straits today. The 10-acre site includes 336 feet of shoreline and jaw-dropping views of the Mackinac Bridge.
The McGulpin Cottage is a cozy, private apartment located right on the lighthouse grounds. A two-night minimum stay is required, but trust me, you’ll want to stay longer. Its close location to Mackinaw City means easy access to shops, restaurants, and even Mackinac Island ferry lines.
Why You’ll Love It: This is a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, and you’ll find stunning views of the Mackinac Bridge from the nearby shoreline. Unlike most lighthouse stays, this one is available year-round — so you could even plan a winter getaway.
💡 PRO TIP: McGulpin Point is only 1.7 miles from Headlands International Dark Sky Park, one of Michigan’s designated dark sky parks. Time your visit right and you might catch the Northern Lights.
Crisp Point Lighthouse: A Remote Escape on Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast
📍 Address: 1944 Co Hwy 412, Newberry, MI 49868 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Superior | 🛏️ Stay Type: Volunteer Keeper Program | 🔗 Info: crisppointlighthouse.org
Named for one of its brave keepers, Christopher Crisp, this U.S. Life-Saving Station sits near Whitefish Point on one of the most remote and hauntingly beautiful stretches of Lake Superior’s coast. Built in 1875 and beginning operations the following year, Crisp Point Lighthouse was a crucial aid on Lake Superior’s infamous Shipwreck Coast for over 100 years before being decommissioned and falling into disrepair in the 1990s.
Today, volunteer keepers stay on the premises and help maintain and restore Crisp Point Lighthouse to its former glory. This isn’t a luxury stay — it’s an experience for anyone who loves the raw power of Lake Superior and the solitude of the Upper Peninsula wilderness.
Why You’ll Love It: This is a quiet and wild stretch of coastline with stunning, uninterrupted vistas of Lake Superior. If you want to truly disconnect and feel like you’ve stepped back in time, there’s no better lighthouse stay in the state.
Nearby Attraction: The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, featuring the bell recovered from the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The ill-fated ship sank in Lake Superior about 17 miles northeast of Crisp Point.
Mission Point Lighthouse: Wine Country Keeper Program Near Traverse City
📍 Address: Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City, MI 49686 | 🌊 Lake: Grand Traverse Bay | 🛏️ Stay Type: Volunteer Keeper Program (weekly) | 💰 Price: $200/week (or $370 for 2 consecutive weeks) | 🔗 Info: missionpointlighthouse.com
At the end of Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, Mission Point Lighthouse is an iconic landmark sitting between the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Built in 1870, this lighthouse sits on the 45th parallel — exactly halfway between the North Pole and the Equator — and in the heart of Michigan wine country.
The keeper program here is massively popular, offering the chance to temporarily reside in a historic landmark with breathtaking water views. The keeper’s quarters are well equipped with kitchen appliances, dishes, cooking utensils, coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, TV with cable, central air, a washer and dryer, and plenty of space. You’ll need to bring your own bed linens, pillows, towels, and food.
Why You’ll Love It: The combination of a lighthouse stay and being minutes from Traverse City and the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail makes this one of the most desirable lighthouse stays in the state. Wine tasting by day, lighthouse keeper by night? Yes, please.
Tawas Point Lighthouse: Lake Huron’s Sunrise Coast Retreat
📍 Address: 686 Tawas Beach Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Huron | 🛏️ Stay Type: Volunteer Keeper Program | 💰 Price: $275/person per week | 🔗 Info: michigan.gov/TawasLighthouse
On Lake Huron, Tawas Point Lighthouse has been guiding mariners since 1876. Because of its scenic natural location on a windswept peninsula jutting into the lake, it’s a popular destination for birdwatchers, beach lovers, and anyone who appreciates a spectacular sunrise on Michigan’s aptly named “Sunrise Coast.”
Volunteer keepers stay in the second-floor keeper’s quarters, which include a modern kitchen and bath plus two bedrooms that sleep up to three people. All keepers must be 18 or older. You’ll help maintain the facility while enjoying a getaway unlike anything else in Michigan.
Why You’ll Love It: The grounds surrounding Tawas Point are stunning, with Lake Huron surrounding you on three sides. You can swim in the shallow waters during warmer months and keep an eye out for piping plovers on your beach walks. The Tawas Point–Sandy Hook Nature Trail is right on the grounds.
Nearby Attraction: Downtown East Tawas and the charming shops and restaurants of the Sunrise Coast.
Cheboygan River Front Range Light: A Downtown Keeper Experience
📍 Address: 606 Water St, Cheboygan, MI 49721 | 🌊 Location: Cheboygan River / Straits of Mackinac | 🛏️ Stay Type: Volunteer Keeper Program (GLLKA membership required) | 🔗 Info: gllka.org
The Cheboygan River Front Range Light offers something unique among Michigan’s lighthouse stays. Instead of being isolated on a remote stretch of coastline, volunteer keepers get to enjoy being in the heart of downtown Cheboygan on the riverfront.
Volunteer keepers manage tours, gift shop duties, general maintenance, and groundskeeping. You’ll need to be a member of the Great Lakes Lightkeepers Association (GLLKA) to participate, and there’s a small fee to stay overnight.
Why You’ll Love It: This is the best of both worlds — staying in a historic riverfront lighthouse while enjoying all the amenities of a bustling downtown area. Walk to restaurants, shops, and the Cheboygan waterfront after your volunteer shift.
Nearby Attraction: Aloha State Park and historic downtown Cheboygan.
St. Helena Island Lighthouse: An Island Escape in the Straits
📍 Location: St. Helena Island, Straits of Mackinac (2 miles offshore from the UP) | 🌊 Lake: Straits of Mackinac | 🛏️ Stay Type: Volunteer Keeper Program (GLLKA) | 🔗 Info: gllka.org
Two miles offshore from the Upper Peninsula, St. Helena Island sits in the Straits of Mackinac. Once home to a small community, the island now sits uninhabited, receiving only a couple hundred visitors a year — a stark contrast to nearby Mackinac Island, which sits ten miles to the east and welcomes hundreds of thousands.
Volunteer keepers work to maintain the St. Helena Island Lighthouse by painting, sanding, cleaning, and more. Stays can range from a few days to a couple of months, making this one of the most flexible — and most adventurous — lighthouse keeper opportunities in the state.
Why You’ll Love It: The entire lighthouse complex has been lovingly restored, including a new wood shingle roof, rebuilt boathouse and assistant keeper’s dwelling, new lantern and chimney, and thousands of replacement bricks in the tower. If you want to feel like you’ve truly gone off the grid, this is the lighthouse stay for you.
Nearby Attractions: Mackinac Island and the Mackinac Bridge.
Grand Traverse Lighthouse: A Week at the Tip of the Leelanau Peninsula
📍 Address: 15500 N Lighthouse Point Rd, Northport, MI 49670 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Michigan / Grand Traverse Bay | 🛏️ Stay Type: Volunteer Keeper Program (weekly shifts) | 📅 Season: April through December | 🔗 Info: grandtraverselighthouse.com
On the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse was built in 1852 and operated for exactly 120 years. Today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and volunteer keepers are invited to stay for week-long shifts from April to December.
Volunteers help run tours, operate the gift shop, and participate in general maintenance and upkeep of this special Northport lighthouse. It’s a meaningful way to give back while enjoying one of the most beautiful settings in northern Michigan.
Why You’ll Love It: You can climb the lighthouse tower for magnificent views of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. The Leelanau Peninsula is one of Michigan’s most scenic areas, with rolling vineyards, charming towns, and endless shoreline.
Nearby Attraction: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the stunning Lake Michigan towns of Glen Arbor and Empire, MI.
Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse: A Historic Stay on Michigan’s Thumb Coast
📍 Address: 7320 Lighthouse Road, Port Hope, MI 48468 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Huron | 🛏️ Stay Type: Assistant Keeper Program (weekly) | 💰 Price: $150/person per week + volunteer services | 📅 2026 Season: Late May through September | 🔗 Apply: pabmm.org/asst-keepers-program
There are many things that give the Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse its legendary status. Built in 1848, it ranks among the ten oldest lighthouses in the state. It was also home to Michigan’s first female lighthouse keeper, Catherine Shook, who took over after her husband Peter drowned during a supply trip in 1849 — making him the first Michigan lighthouse keeper to die in service.
The Assistant Keeper Program allows groups of two to four adults to spend a week staying in the restored 1908 assistant keeper’s house, which features two bedrooms (each with a queen bed), a full kitchen, living/dining area, and one bathroom. You’ll serve as docents, welcoming visitors and sharing the lighthouse’s rich history. Located in Lighthouse County Park near the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, this is a unique way to explore a quieter part of Michigan’s Thumb Coast.
Why You’ll Love It: The 2026 program runs from late May through September, and applications are accepted through the Pointe aux Barques Maritime Museum. At $150/person per week, it’s one of the most affordable lighthouse stays in Michigan. You’ll enjoy breathtaking sunrises over Lake Huron from the porch, and the surrounding park has 110 campsites if you want to bring friends and family along.
💡 PRO TIP: Fun pronunciation guide — “Barques” rhymes with “bark,” as in a dog’s bark. You’ll sound like a local in no time.
Nearby Attraction: Turnip Rock and Port Austin, one of Michigan’s best-kept secret resort towns.
40 Mile Point Lighthouse: An RV Keeper Experience on Lake Huron
📍 Address: 7323 US-23 N, Rogers City, MI 49779 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Huron | 🛏️ Stay Type: Guest Keeper Program (bring your own RV) | 💰 Price: $25 non-refundable application fee; RV hookups included | 📅 Season: Memorial Day through mid-October (2–4 week stays) | 🔗 Apply: fortymilepointlighthouse.org
Few lighthouses offer an experience quite like 40 Mile Point Lighthouse. Located on Michigan’s northern Lake Huron shoreline near Rogers City, this historic site offers a rare opportunity for RV travelers to become Guest Lighthouse Keepers. You’ll park your RV in one of four fully-equipped campsites with 50-amp hookups, water, sewer, and a shared campfire ring — just steps from the lighthouse itself.
Completed in 1896, the lighthouse’s original 4th-order Fresnel lens still operates today. Guest keepers serve as docents, greeting visitors and sharing the lighthouse’s history. Your hours will typically run between 20 and 26 hours per week, with couples always working at the same time and at least two days off each week.
Why You’ll Love It: When you’re not volunteering, take advantage of the seven-mile bike/hike trail to Rogers City, stroll to the beach just over the dunes, explore the Calcite Pilot House (from a 1912 Great Lakes steamer), or walk up the beach to see the remains of the wooden steamer Joseph S. Fay. Guests enjoy a golf cart, on-site washer/dryer, and the camaraderie of fellow lighthouse enthusiasts. And yes — dogs are welcome!
💡 PRO TIP: As you near the lighthouse, tune your radio to 107.3 FM to hear a recorded history of 40 Mile Point. It’s a cool way to set the mood before you arrive.
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse: Group Overnights in Michigan’s Oldest Lighthouse
📍 Address: 2802 Omar St, Port Huron, MI 48060 | 🌊 Lake: Lake Huron / St. Clair River | 🛏️ Stay Type: Group Overnight (20+ people, bunk-room style) | 💰 Price: $25/person (minimum payment $500, non-refundable $250 deposit) | 🔗 Book: phmuseum.org/overnight-at-the-light
This is Michigan’s oldest lighthouse, first built in 1825 (the current tower dates to 1829), and the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse in Port Huron offers one of the more unique overnight experiences on this list. The “Overnight at the Light” program invites groups of 20 or more to spend the night bunk-room style in the beautifully restored 1874 Keeper’s Duplex.
The experience is immersive and customizable. After settling in, your group gets a private tour of the grounds and buildings, including a chance to climb the 94 steps to the top of the tower for the best view in Port Huron. A program relating to the site will be presented, then a snack and lights out! You’ll sleep in the newly renovated duplex and have breakfast on your own the next morning. Groups of up to 42 people can be accommodated.
Why You’ll Love It: This is perfect for scout troops, youth groups, school groups, family reunions, or any large group looking for a one-of-a-kind Michigan experience. At just $25/person, it’s the most affordable lighthouse overnight in the state. The five-acre campus on Lake Huron is remarkable, and the 82-foot tower offers sweeping views of the Blue Water Bridge and the St. Clair River.
Nearby Attraction: The Blue Water Bridge and Michigan’s Blue Thumb Coast.
Compare All 13 Michigan Lighthouse Stays at a Glance
| Lighthouse | Lake | Stay Type | Approx. Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bay Point | Superior | B&B | $205+/night | Couples, luxury |
| Eagle River | Superior | Vacation Rental | Varies | Families, privacy |
| Point Betsie | Michigan | Weekly Rental | Varies | Sunsets, beach |
| McGulpin Point | Straits | Apartment Rental | Varies (year-round) | Stargazing, winter |
| Crisp Point | Superior | Volunteer Keeper | Contact | Solitude, adventure |
| Mission Point | Grand Traverse Bay | Keeper Program | $200/week | Wine country |
| Tawas Point | Huron | Keeper Program | $275/week | Birding, sunrises |
| Cheboygan | Straits | Keeper Program | Fee + GLLKA | Downtown access |
| St. Helena Island | Straits | Keeper Program | Contact GLLKA | Remote island |
| Grand Traverse | Michigan | Keeper Program | Contact | Sleeping Bear area |
| Pointe aux Barques | Huron | Keeper Program | $150/person/week | History, Thumb Coast |
| 40 Mile Point | Huron | RV Keeper Program | $25 app fee | RV travelers, dogs |
| Fort Gratiot | Huron | Group Overnight | $25/person | Scouts, groups |
Good to Know Before You Go
- Book early. Lighthouse stays — especially the B&B at Big Bay Point and the keeper programs at Mission Point and Point Betsie — are wildly popular and fill up fast. If you’re eyeing a summer stay, start checking availability in early winter.
- Keeper programs require volunteer work. If you’re staying through a keeper program, expect to put in some hours greeting visitors, running tours, helping in the gift shop, and doing light maintenance. It’s part of the charm — and you’ll leave with incredible stories.
- Bring your own linens and food for most stays. With the exception of Big Bay Point (which is a full B&B), most lighthouse stays require you to bring your own bed linens, towels, and groceries. Many keeper’s quarters have full kitchens, so you can cook your own meals.
- Cell service can be spotty. Several of these lighthouses are in remote locations where cell reception is limited. Big Bay Point and Crisp Point are particularly remote. Consider this a feature, not a bug — it’s part of what makes these stays so special.
- Most stays are seasonal. The majority of lighthouse overnight opportunities run from late May through October. McGulpin Point is a notable exception — its rental apartment is available year-round. Big Bay Point operates May through early November.
- Age requirements apply. Most keeper programs require all participants to be at least 18 years old. Fort Gratiot’s group program is the exception, welcoming youth groups and scouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes! Michigan has 13 lighthouses offering overnight stays, ranging from cozy B&Bs like Big Bay Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior to volunteer keeper programs where you stay in the keeper’s quarters for a week or more. Options range from about $150/week for keeper programs to $205+/night for B&B stays.
A: Several Michigan lighthouses offer volunteer keeper programs where you stay in the keeper’s quarters for one to several weeks in exchange for light volunteer duties like greeting visitors, running tours, and helping with maintenance. Programs are available at Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Tawas Point, Pointe aux Barques, 40 Mile Point, and others.
A: Big Bay Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior is the most romantic option — it operates as a full B&B with seven guest rooms, fireplaces, a sauna, and breakfast served to your room each morning. Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort is another great couples’ pick with stunning Lake Michigan sunsets.
A: Costs vary widely. Big Bay Point Lighthouse B&B starts at around $205/night. Volunteer keeper programs range from $150/person per week at Pointe aux Barques to $200/week at Mission Point. The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse group overnight is $25/person. Eagle River Lighthouse is a vacation rental with rates varying by season.
A: Most lighthouse stays are available from late May through October, with peak availability in summer. Big Bay Point Lighthouse operates May through early November. Point Betsie opens mid-May through mid-October. Keeper programs typically run Memorial Day through September or October. Book early — these stays fill up fast, especially for summer weeks.
A: No prior experience is needed for most programs. You’ll receive an orientation covering the lighthouse’s history and your duties. Programs typically involve greeting visitors, giving informal tours, light maintenance, and operating the gift shop. Most require you to be at least 18 years old.
Love Michigan Lighthouses? Check out our complete Michigan Lighthouse Guide for more lighthouses to visit, tour, and explore across the Great Lakes State.
You Might Also Enjoy…
- Lake Huron Lighthouses Guide
- Lake Superior Lighthouses Guide
- Romantic Michigan Getaways
- Fun Things to Do in Michigan
- Keweenaw Peninsula Travel Guide
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- About Jill
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Jill Halpin is a Michigan travel expert and founder of MyMichiganBeach.com, one of the state’s leading travel resources. Based in Michigan, Jill is known for her in-depth knowledge of Michigan destinations, from beach towns and Great Lakes getaways to hidden inland gems. She appears regularly as a TV travel contributor on WDIV Detroit, Fox17 West Michigan, Fox2 Detroit, and other Midwest media, and her travel expertise has been featured in The Detroit News and across major digital outlets.
Jill is a member of top Michigan tourism organizations and is dedicated to helping travelers discover the best things to do, see, and experience throughout the state year-round. See more at MyMichiganBeach.com/media.