Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    3.9 (19 reviews)

    Grand Traverse Lighthouse Photos

    More like Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Recommended Reviews - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Flo V.

    It's a beautiful drive up to this Lighthouse..... (Old Mission Peninsula) BUT..... they need to have some other sort of fee schedule to use their campgrounds vs "just" visiting the lighthouse. The $9.00 Park Fee is a bit ridiculous, in addition to the Lighthouse Fee, when all we were going to see the the Lighthouse. They should include the Lighthouse in that Park Fee. Heck... even round it up to $10.00 !! That being said....... The Lighthouse depicts the living/working conditions for the Light Keepers. The pictures and history displayed on the walls is fascinating. Getting to the top of the lighthouse give you a wonderful view. Worth the drive and visit... but be prepared to pay some extra fees.

    Andrea P.

    This place is absolutely beautiful. We went early in the morning and the actual light house wasn't open yet but the grounds d beach around the light house are so peaceful and quiet. They have a beautiful picnic area right close to the water very well kept and clean!

    Elise B.

    We stopped in the Lighthouse while staying at the park to camp. Be aware you need a Michigan rec pass to get in to the park, or you will be charged (I think $5 per car). To enter the lighthouse, do the self guided tour, and climb to the top its $5 per person (which appears per other reviews it has increased slightly). The museum is well restored and has some interesting exhibits. Some of them are also goofy, in a bad wax museum kind of way, which I found funny. The view from the top is quite nice, but now that the ladder to the top is very steep and slim. Theres also an out building with exhibits primarily about shipwrecks, which doesn't charge for entry. There are several benches and great places to view the shore, and lots of great vantage points for sunrise or sunset. When we went, the water was very far in as compared to where it usually is, so there wasn't much shoreline- but that's anywhere on Lake Michigan. Theres also a gift shop with some cute souvenirs and some camping essentials. Everything seemed reasonably priced. All the staff in either building appeared to be volunteers (aside from the park rangers/staff). I dont know that I would go out of my way to stop here, but it was great to see since we were here. Such a beautiful park and an extra special treat to have a little historical museum and learning experience.

    Lighthouse
    Elise F.

    What a gorgeous true Michigan spot! The location has EVERYTHING from a rustic campground right on the water, new children's playground, picnic areas, museum, gift shop, and lighthouse, and several walking paths that lead right to the water to walk in the rocks. We kayaked all around the point and it was incredible the water is crystal clear and the rocks are captivating. If you have moderate exercise ability you can handle this area.

    there is a museum beside the lighthouse
    Tim L.

    There is a museum in the lighthouse. You can walk to the top and get a 360 view. There is a painting at the top that shows what islands you are looking at. There is another museum separate from the lighthouse that chronicles shipwrecks in the great lakes. The great lakes during WWII was used as a training ground for sailors. You have to enter into a state park before getting to the lighthouse. The state park charges you are fee.

    Well worth the stop at this lighthouse. Very friendly lady greeting us at the start. She filled us in and gave us a sheet with a game that had you look for facts on the way through. The last few stairs (more like a ladder) were more difficult as you had to hug it to protect from knocking your head. It was well worth it though with tremendous views!!

    Front Walk
    Richard F.

    This is a very beautiful setting for a lighthouse. The house is filled with many amazing artifacts from the Keepers who worked and lived there. There is also a place where you can sit and research a family member who worked there. There are volumes of history. Take the time to walk up the winding stairs to get the view from the very top. On a clear day you can see for miles and maybe even Beaver Island. The park will rip you off to get in. We were charged $9 to get in the park and then an additional $4 for each adult. We had no problem with the fee for the light but, $9 just to park as we used no other facilities there was ridiculous. After Labor Day there are no guided tours of the light so you have to take a self-guided. Take some time, if it is a nice day, to sit out in the back under the trees and enjoy the water and serenity.

    Jim E.

    It was my mission to make it to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. When looking at the map it is at the very tip and end of the road so I wanted to venture to the furthest point out to at least say I was there. I honestly feel like the Point Betsie Lighthouse if better for pictures and more to do in the area but the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is worth the tour. It is fun winding up the stairs and going to the very top of the lighthouse (be careful at the very top only about 4 people can fit in) and enjoying the views of Grand Traverse Bay!

    Marc B.

    Wow, superb example of a turn of the century lighthouse -- and the grounds and buildings are maintained beautifully. The self guided tours are engaging and the staff is friendly. They've spent a good deal of effort to collect antiques and make the house seem real. Well worth the trip.

    View from top of lighthouse.

    See all

    Photo of Chenna P.
    0
    106
    130

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John V.
    1
    425
    9

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim L.
    26
    88
    44

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Richard F.
    153
    2661
    11705

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim E.
    438
    286
    1086

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    The Toilets were disgusting, no fan or ventilation. Wear your scuba gear if you have a need of a rest room. Did not visit the lighthouse.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of TA E.
    0
    11
    8

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M D.
    0
    11
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Review Highlights - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    It's a rocky shore, so you can walk around on top of the rocks and just enjoy this uninterrupted view of Lake Michigan.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    The 201 Skye House & Waukazoo Gardens

    The 201 Skye House & Waukazoo Gardens

    3.7(3 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    I stayed at this Skye House this past weekend with my family and we had my wedding on site at this…read morelovely home built in 1877. Heather, the owner of Skye house, went above and beyond to make sure that we had everything we needed for our wedding party of 22 people. Skye House was beautifully appointed with 6 bedrooms for our guests, a huge kitchen and living room space. The bedrooms were large and airy and all three bathrooms were all recently remodeled. Every bedroom had a closet or wardrobe for our clothing. Heather anticipated our every need, from chairs and tables to making sure I had the perfect blue-purple hydrangeas to add to my wedding bouquets that were just the right shade to getting me a curling iron last minute (which I forgot) so I could curl my hair before the ceremony. There were two nice fire pits, beautiful grounds courtesy of the grounds crew, and we were just a short walk from the beach at the end of the lane. The backyard was perfect for our ceremony and disco-dance party. We had our wedding photos taken with views of the bay and also in front of a stately, mature tree in the backyard. The front yard was exquisite with a native flower and rain garden, perfect for our wedding speeches, toasts and dinner. Heather is such a gracious and kind host. What an epic weekend Heather!! I will never forget my dreamy rainbow hippie wedding in Skye Heaven!

    As you begin your search for a vacation house in northern Michigan, I implore you to look…read moreelsewhere. There are many rental properties in the area run by kind, respectful, and honest business owners. Skye House is not one of those businesses. They messed up our reservation by agreeing to 2 nights, when they have a 4 night minimum. Note, at the time of our booking this was not listed anywhere on the VRBO page and was not alerted at check out. Skye House accepted the reservation and charged our card. Then, they asked us to cancel so they could make more money. I understand it's the goal of a business to maximize profits. However, a reoccurring mistake on their part does not constitute a cancellation on mine. I'm so disappointed in the way this situation was handled, the lack of courtesy and respect shown to me and my party by the owners, and the fact that we now have to cancel our event in Northport. There are nicer options in the area (on multiple levels...), take your business there.

    Photos
    The 201 Skye House & Waukazoo Gardens - Front of house

    Front of house

    The 201 Skye House & Waukazoo Gardens - View from upstairs hallway of Grand Traverse Bay!!!

    View from upstairs hallway of Grand Traverse Bay!!!

    The 201 Skye House & Waukazoo Gardens - History of the house

    See all

    History of the house

    Leelanau State Park - Beautiful Lake Michigan sunset

    Leelanau State Park

    4.3(33 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Stopped here on a whim to checkout lighthouses during our mini getaway. This beach did not…read moredisappoint! It was so calm and peaceful. Beautiful water. Hardly any people. The people who did visit didn't stay for long so we had the whole beach to ourselves. We had camping chairs in the car so we just put them in the water and sat right in the water and enjoyed the view. They have a gift shop and the only restrooms I noticed were portajohns. We built some rock towers but put the rocks back when we were done because some of the rocks had snail eggs on them.

    Gorgeous park at the tip of the Mitten's pinkie finger. I got there shortly before a spectacular…read moresunset where the sky was all lit up with pinks and oranges and purples. I took a short walk where my friends who had camped there the previous night as well showed my the historic lighthouse and some message in a bottle painted sign that was very reminiscent of Steve "ESPO" Powers. I set up my trusty old dome tent and camped on the same site as my friends and nobody said peep about doubling up like that. I left out around 10:30 or so and didn't hit any trails as I had packed some snacks for late but no breakfast. Not much in the way of restaurants or groceries around here so I hit the road. Can't speak to the trails or day use part of the park but the campground and adjacent beach was beautiful.

    Photos
    Leelanau State Park - Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Grand Traverse Lighthouse

    Leelanau State Park - Nature's palette

    Nature's palette

    Leelanau State Park - Lake Michigan

    See all

    Lake Michigan

    Grand Traverse Lighthouse - landmarks - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...