By Arbor Crowne Properties
Few sights capture Door County like a lighthouse standing against open water. The peninsula holds more lighthouses than any other county in Wisconsin, and each one tells a different piece of maritime history. This Door County lighthouse tour guide covers the stops we love most, including Cana Island Lighthouse and Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.
Key Takeaways
- Door County has 11 historic lighthouses, and several welcome visitors from May through October.
- Cana Island Lighthouse near Baileys Harbor offers a 97-step tower climb with sweeping views of Lake Michigan.
- Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park lets you tour a restored keeper's residence dating to 1868.
- Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island is the oldest light station in Wisconsin and takes two ferry rides to reach.
Cana Island Lighthouse Near Baileys Harbor
Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most photographed sights in Door County. Built in 1869 on a small island just north of Baileys Harbor, it is managed by the Door County Maritime Museum.
What to Expect on Your Visit
- Haywagon rides carry you across the rocky causeway, which can sit under a foot or two of water.
- The tower's spiral staircase has 97 steps and ends at a gallery deck overlooking Lake Michigan and the Door Peninsula.
- The keeper's quarters hold exhibits and a small museum store, and the oil house displays shipwreck artifacts.
- The cream city brick tower wears steel cladding added in 1902 to protect it from storms and icy winters.
The island opens at 10 a.m. from May through October, and the last tower climb begins at 4:30 p.m. Arriving early leaves you more time to explore.
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse overlooks Green Bay from Peninsula State Park near Fish Creek. Built in 1868, it still guides vessels through the Strawberry Channel. The Door County Historical Society restored it in the 1960s and runs it as a museum.
Why Eagle Bluff Is Worth the Stop
- Self-guided tours run daily from mid-May through mid-October, usually from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Restored rooms hold period artifacts and tell the story of keeper William Duclon, who tended the light for 35 years.
- A Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker is required to enter Peninsula State Park, so factor it into your plans.
- Twilight Tours in the fall let you see the station glow with lantern light after dark.
The lighthouse sits a short walk from the parking lot, which makes it easy to pair with a hike or bike ride through the park.
Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island
Rock Island State Park is a car-free island off the tip of the peninsula. Its Pottawatomie Lighthouse is the oldest light station in Wisconsin, first lit in 1836. The current tower dates to 1858.
How to Reach Pottawatomie Lighthouse
- Drive to Northport at the tip of the peninsula and board the Washington Island Ferry for the roughly 30-minute crossing.
- Cross Washington Island to the Jackson Harbor landing, where the passenger-only Karfi ferry makes the short trip to Rock Island.
- Hike about 1.5 miles through forest to reach the lighthouse on the island's northern tip.
- Volunteer docents from the Friends of Rock Island lead free guided tours from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend.
Plan on a full day, and look for the stone privy on the grounds, the oldest structure in Door County.
Planning Your Door County Lighthouse Tour
Not every lighthouse here is open year-round. The Door County Maritime Museum hosts Lighthouse Passport Days, a series of spring and fall festival weekends that open up the rest. A portion of ticket sales supports lighthouse preservation.
Ways to See More Door County Lighthouses
- Sherwood Point Lighthouse near Sturgeon Bay, built in 1883, is a Coast Guard property whose grounds open during festival weekends.
- The 1899 Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse and the red North Pierhead Light, nicknamed Big Red, can be admired from boat cruises.
- Chambers Island and Plum Island lighthouses, rarely open to the public, appear on special tours during festival weekends.
- Boat tours depart from Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Gills Rock, Baileys Harbor, and Sturgeon Bay for a lightkeeper's view from the water.
Most sites operate between May and October, so check each operator's schedule before you go since hours can change.
FAQs
How many lighthouses are in Door County?
Door County has 11 historic lighthouses, more than any other Wisconsin county. Cana Island, Eagle Bluff, and Pottawatomie offer regular seasonal tours.
Can you climb Cana Island Lighthouse?
Yes. Visitors can climb all 97 steps during open hours, and the last climb begins at 4:30 p.m. Check the Maritime Museum for current fees.
When is the best time for a Door County lighthouse tour?
Most lighthouses are open from May through October. Spring and fall festival weekends add access to lights that are normally closed.
Make Northern Door County Your Home
If these lighthouses have you thinking about a place of your own, we would love to help you find it. When you sell a Northern Door County home with us, we work to secure the highest possible price, in the shortest amount of time, with the most favorable terms.
Our owner, Diane Taillon, has worked in real estate since 2003 and brings experience, efficiency, and calmness to every sale and purchase. She is listed in Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate, and Arbor Crowne Properties has earned the Highest Transaction Value in Door County sales year after year. You can expect organized, enthusiastic service with a contagious positive attitude.
