Presque Isle Michigan: Lighthouses, Lakes & Hidden Gems on the Sunrise Coast

Last Updated: May 2026

Presque Isle is one of my favorite hidden corners of Michigan — a quiet, rocky peninsula tucked into the northeast tip of the Lower Peninsula. Surrounded by Lake Huron, Grand Lake, and Lake Esau, this peaceful stretch of the Sunrise Coast has two historic lighthouses, turquoise water that doesn’t look like it belongs in Michigan, and a handful of beloved local stops that I keep coming back to year after year.

If you’re looking for a slow Michigan getaway away from the tourist crowds of the west coast, Presque Isle is the answer.

Table of Contents

• Where Is Presque Isle, Michigan?
• Presque Isle Harbor
• The Lakes of Presque Isle
• Two Historic Lighthouses
• Sunrise & Sunset Magic
• Where to Eat & Shop
• Range Light Beach
• Hiking, Paddling & Exploring
• Where to Stay
• Why I Love Presque Isle

Where Is Presque Isle, Michigan?

Presque Isle County is located on Lake Huron’s shoreline in Michigan’s Northeast Lower Peninsula, about 30 minutes north of Alpena and 30 minutes south of Rogers City. It sits along the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail and the US-23 Sunrise Side Coastal Highway, two of the prettiest drives in the state.

The peninsula itself is small but packs in a lot — two lighthouses, a natural deep-water harbor, three lakes, miles of rocky and sandy shoreline, and trails that wind through some of the most peaceful woods on the Sunrise Coast.

Presque Isle Harbor

Presque Isle Harbor is the only natural harbor on Lake Huron, and it’s been a destination for boaters, fishermen, and Great Lakes mariners for nearly two centuries.

The state-managed harbor is well-equipped for overnight stays — water, restrooms, showers, diesel, electricity, gasoline, a pump-out station, a launch, a fishing pier, a dog run, and grills. Whether you’re docking your boat or just stopping for a walk, it’s one of the prettiest harbors on the Sunrise Coast.

Best of all, the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is just a short walk from the harbor, so you can easily combine a harbor visit with one of the area’s most iconic stops.

The Lakes of Presque Isle

Presque Isle is rare in that you can swim, paddle, and fish in three completely different bodies of water — all within a few miles of each other.

Lake Huron

The Lake Huron coastline north of Alpena is striking — rugged, rocky, and windswept, with water that shimmers in incredible shades of turquoise and aqua. This isn’t where you’ll find long sandy beaches; instead, you get dramatic limestone formations, crystal-clear water, and endless views that feel wild and unspoiled.

It’s perfect for photographers, beach combers, and anyone who wants to sit on the rocks and watch the waves roll in.

Grand Lake

Just inland, Grand Lake stretches 12 miles long and three miles wide, covering 5,660 acres. Its limestone bottom keeps the water remarkably clear and gives it a brilliant aqua hue, even on overcast days. With depths up to 25 feet (and plenty of shallows), it’s ideal for swimming, boating, and paddling.

Public access points along US-23 and East Grand Lake Road make it easy to launch a boat or take a dip on a hot summer day.

Lake Esau

Tucked between Grand Lake and Lake Huron, Lake Esau is a hidden gem most visitors miss. Spring-fed and crystal clear, it’s perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. There’s a paved boat launch on the south end, so it’s easy to spend an afternoon out on the water.

Two Historic Lighthouses Worth the Trip

One of the most unique things about Presque Isle is that you can visit two historic Lake Huron lighthouses within a mile of each other. They sit at opposite ends of the peninsula and are both owned and operated by the Presque Isle Township Museum Society.

One ticket gets you into both — one of the best lighthouse deals in Michigan.

New Presque Isle Lighthouse (1870)

Standing 113 feet tall with a 130-step climb, the New Presque Isle Lighthouse is the tallest climbable lighthouse on the Great Lakes. It’s one of nine “Poe Lights” on the Great Lakes — and the only one on Lake Huron.

I remember my husband and daughter making the climb years ago and proudly sporting their “I Survived the Climb” t-shirts at the gift shop. The view from the top stretches more than 25 miles out into Lake Huron — on a clear day, it’s breathtaking.

The complex includes a small museum with exhibits about the keepers’ lives, plus the beautifully restored 1905 Keeper’s House, which displays artifacts dating to about 1915. The grounds are part of a 99-acre township park with a playground, picnic pavilion, and nature trails.

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse (1840)

This is hands-down my favorite lighthouse in Michigan — smaller, more romantic, and rumored to be haunted. Built by Jeremiah Moors of Detroit in 1840, it served as the harbor light until 1871 when the New Lighthouse a mile north took over.

The stone-and-brick tower is 30 feet tall and 18 feet in diameter at the base. Visitors can climb the original hand-hewn stone steps for panoramic views of the Lake Huron shoreline and Presque Isle Harbor.

The keeper’s house has been turned into a hands-on museum where you can blow foghorns, examine 19th-century artifacts, and ring the giant bronze bell from Lansing’s old City Hall clock tower — it weighs 3,425 pounds, much bigger than the Liberty Bell.

Sunrise & Sunset Magic

Because of the peninsula’s geography, Presque Isle is one of those rare Michigan places where you can watch sunrise over Lake Huron in the morning and a stunning Michigan sunset over North Bay in the evening — all in the same day.

The best sunset spot is the picnic shelter at the north end of the peninsula near where the old fog horn was located. The view across North Bay at golden hour is one of the prettiest I’ve seen in Michigan. Bring your camera.

Where to Eat & Shop in Presque Isle

Birch Hill Grocery

This historic family-run grocery has been a Grand Lake institution since 1920. Kris took over stewardship in June 2021 with her son Chris and daughter Heather, and they’ve turned it into one of my favorite stops on the Sunrise Coast.

It’s part bakery, part café, part specialty grocer, and part gallery. Everything is baked in-house — from baguettes and brownies to one of the best sour cream coffee cakes I’ve ever had. The menu also includes Neapolitan pizzas, sandwiches, dips, and brewed teas.

Don’t miss the “Living Room Library”, where Kris lends out her well-curated book collection. In summer and fall, check their site for Paired Tapas and Wine Tastings — these book up fast with locals.

The Portage Store & Deli (Ida Mae’s)

I never walk out of here empty-handed. Officially called The Portage Store & Deli (and known to locals as Ida Mae’s), this charming little shop sits right across the road from Presque Isle Harbor — the perfect lunch stop after a lighthouse climb.

Their artisan pizzas, sandwiches, gourmet fries, and Hudsonville hand-dipped ice cream are what bring most people in. Locals plan their week around the Friday fish fry and Saturday BBQ rib dinners. There’s also an impressive selection of gluten-free options — better than most places in Alpena, according to several travelers I’ve talked to.

The store side stocks Cherry Republic items, Fustini’s oils and vinegars, Michigan-made souvenirs, resort wear, and gifts. I picked up a UPF-50 sunhat here on my last visit and still wear it everywhere.

Old Lighthouse Gift Shop

Located inside the keeper’s house at the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, this small gift shop is one of my favorite places to pick up unique Michigan souvenirs. You’ll find lighthouse-themed gifts, books on Great Lakes history, locally-made jewelry, postcards, ornaments, and Presque Isle-branded apparel.

It’s run entirely by volunteers from the Presque Isle Township Museum Society, and proceeds go directly to lighthouse preservation. If you want a souvenir that actually means something, this is the place.

Range Light Beach

Most of Presque Isle’s Lake Huron shoreline is rocky — dramatic and beautiful, but not always ideal for wading or swimming. That’s what makes Range Light Beach such a hidden gem. It’s one of the few sandy stretches on the peninsula, with shallow, clear water that’s perfect for families with young kids.

The beach has a handicap-accessible pavilion, picnic area, and restrooms — making it one of the best ADA-friendly beaches on the Sunrise Coast. The views of Lake Huron and Presque Isle Harbor from the pavilion are picture-perfect at any time of day.

Hiking, Paddling & Exploring: A Nature Lover’s Paradise

North Bay Trail & Huron Trail

Both of these trails are near the New Lighthouse and are perfect for stretching your legs after a climb. You’ll find wooded paths, plenty of birds, and water views in every season. The trails are easy enough for kids and dogs, with benches at scenic points along the way.

Kayak Over Shipwrecks at Besser Natural Area

One of the coolest things to do in Presque Isle is paddle over shipwrecks at the Besser Natural Area. The wreck of the Portland lies just offshore near Bell Bay. Spotting it through crystal-clear Lake Huron water from your kayak is one of those unforgettable Michigan moments.

You’ll need to bring your own kayak — there’s no rental on-site — but the launch is easy and the water near shore is calm on most days.

Besser Natural Area & the Ghost Town of Bell

This is my go-to place for hiking and birdwatching on the Sunrise Coast. A one-mile loop trail winds through the ghost town of Bell, where you’ll find remnants of an early 20th-century logging settlement, an old lagoon, and a hidden sandy beach.

A stand of virgin white pines towers overhead — some of the few remaining old-growth pines in northern Michigan. Wildflowers change with the seasons, and the birdwatching is fantastic. Bring binoculars.

Where to Stay in Presque Isle

Presque Isle Lodge

Built in 1920 by Newell Avery Eddy Jr. and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Presque Isle Lodge is the perfect basecamp if you want that classic “Up North” feel. Owned by the Spencer family since 1986, the lodge contains the largest known collection of Habitant Log Furniture, with a massive stone fireplace anchoring the main lodge.

It sits across the road from Grand Lake with private lake access and a boat dock for guests. With eight rooms (some with private baths) and a full breakfast served daily, it’s a peaceful, character-filled stay that feels like a step back in time.

Fireside Inn on Grand Lake

For a different kind of stay, the Fireside Inn is a Modified American Plan resort on Grand Lake — meaning your breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate. Activities are extra and self-directed, but with 700 feet of Grand Lake frontage, kayaks, fishing, tennis, volleyball, ping-pong, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and a 9-hole disc golf course on the grounds, you won’t be bored.

Built in 1908 and run by the Vanschoten family (Terry and Alan), it has that nostalgic summer-camp vibe with the bonus of modern comforts and beautiful lakefront views. Dog-friendly, which is rare for a Michigan resort. Perfect for families and groups looking for a low-stress getaway where meals are handled.

Why I Love Presque Isle

Presque Isle has everything I love about northern Michigan in one peaceful, under-the-radar place: lighthouses, aqua-blue lakes, quirky local shops, and outdoor adventures you won’t find on most “things to do” lists.

Whether you’re climbing the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes, paddling over a shipwreck at Besser, or grabbing a slice of sour cream coffee cake at Birch Hill, this little corner of northeast Michigan keeps surprising me — and I’ve been coming here for years.

My favorite times to visit are summer and fall. Summer is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and long evenings by the water. Fall is absolutely stunning — the mix of Michigan autumn colors against the turquoise water and white pines makes Presque Isle one of the most beautiful spots on the entire Sunrise Coast.

If you love quieter Michigan destinations, also check out my guides to Alpena, Lake Huron beaches, and the complete Michigan Lighthouse Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions