How can you visit us and not check out the beautiful lighthouses in the Door County area? If you’re looking for the most iconic photo op spots with the most amazing views of Door County, these are stops you’re going to have to make!
Must-See Lighthouses in Door County:
- Cana Island Lighthouse
Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most-photographed lighthouses in Door County & Wisconsin at large! Constructed in 1869 and located on a small island called Cana Island, this lighthouse operates as a museum by the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society. To get to this island, you’ll need to take a haywagon ride over the causeway and hike the lighthouse’s 97-step staircase to see a panoramic view of the lake!
- Baileys Harbor Range Lights
Baileys Harbor Range Lights are a pair of historic lighthouses built in 1870 that were used as “leading lights” to help guide boats to safety for 100 years, and they’re the only lights that are still functioning as navigational aids. The way sailors knew they were in safe water was when the upper and lower lights were lined up over one another. This was considered the most effective way to keep ships off the reefs at the entrance of Baileys Harbor.
- Pottawatomie Lighthouse
Located on the north end of Rock Island State Park sits the first ever established lighthouse in Door County, the Pottawatomie Lighthouse. The original structure of the lighthouse was first built in 1836, but because it was poorly built, it was demolished and rebuilt in 1858. This lighthouse is open daily for tours throughout the summer time and requires a ferry and a hike to visit.
- Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light
Located right off the coast of Lake Michigan sits the bright-red, hard-to-miss, Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 1881 to guide ships into Sturgeon Bay’s Ship Canal, and continues to provide a short cut into Green Bay. From mid-May through mid-October, several boat tours operate out of Sturgeon Bay taking visitors up close for a water-side view of the lighthouse. Such an incredible site to visit!
- Chambers Island Lighthouse
Located on Chambers Island off the shore of Fish Creek, WI, you’ll find Chambers Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse was established back in 1868 and is only accessible by boat. It is closed from the public, but the grounds are still accessible to visitors. You can see the lights during the Annual Lighthouse Festival hosted by the Door County Maritime Museum.
- Plum Island Rear Range Lighthouse
Plum Island Rear Range Lighthouse was built in 1895 and remains an active navigational aid today! This lighthouse is located between the peninsula’s tip & Washington Island, so you can take the Washington Island Ferry to see the light tower.
This lighthouse is closed to the public, but is open during the Annual Festival in June.
- Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
Built in 1868, the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is located on a bluff in Peninsula State Park, overlooking Green Bay. If you want to learn more about the rich history of Door County’s maritime past and take in all the beautiful water views, this is the perfect lighthouse to visit. Tours start mid-May and go through mid October!
Touring these lighthouses is one of the best ways to take in all the breathtaking views Door County has to offer and learn more about our history.
Ready to visit these historical lighthouses and need a place to stay? Come stay with us at Bay Shore Inn! Book your stay today and start planning your stops at all these must-see historic lighthouses!
