Whitefish Point Light

Whitefish Point Light is a white steel-frame tower standing at the entrance to Lake Superior, designed to guide ships through dangerous waters with its beam. The structure sits on a narrow strip of land with associated buildings that together form the lighthouse station.

The original lighthouse was built in 1849, but the current tower was constructed in 1861 during the Civil War to better serve navigation needs. It has continuously operated since then, making it the oldest functioning lighthouse still active on Lake Superior.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum housed at the station displays maritime belongings and wreckage pieces that tell stories of sailors and their lives on the water. These objects connect visitors to the people who experienced the dangers of this lake.

The site opens to visitors from mid-May through mid-October, with guided tours available through the keeper's home and tower interior. The location at the point means weather can change quickly, so dress in layers for wind and cooler temperatures.

The waters near Whitefish Point hold the remains of over 200 ships, making it one of Lake Superior's deadliest passages for vessels. These wrecks accumulated because of the treacherous currents and violent storms that regularly strike this exposed headland.