Big Sable Point: A Striped Light Beyond the Dunes
The 112-foot Big Sable Point Lighthouse stands at the end of a 1.8-mile park path open to walkers and cyclists, with seasonal tower climbs.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse sits beyond the dunes at Ludington State Park. From the park, the Lighthouse Path runs 1.8 miles each way over sand and gravel. You can walk or bike it, but there is little shade, so bring water on a warm day.
The 112-foot tower was built in 1867. It started as a brick lighthouse, then received its steel-plate covering and familiar black-and-white finish in 1900. The light was automated in 1968 and remains an active aid to navigation on Lake Michigan.
Lakeshore Keepers opens the lighthouse seasonally. You can enter the first-floor gift shop without paying, while climbing the tower requires a fee. Track chairs are available through the park for the trail, and limited bus days are sometimes scheduled. Hours and bus dates change, so use the Lakeshore Keepers calendar when choosing a day. The lighthouse entrance and tower still have stairs even when the trip along the path is assisted.
Where to see it
Ludington State Park, north of Ludington off M-116. Follow the 1.8-mile, one-way Lighthouse Path on foot or bike. The route has little shade; track chairs and limited scheduled bus days can help with access. Check current hours before planning a tower climb.
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Sources
Last reviewed against the listed sources: July 16, 2026.