Where is Cana Island Lighthouse?

Cana Island Lighthouse is on the Lake Michigan shore of Wisconsin.

How much time do you need at Cana Island Lighthouse?

Allow 1–2 hours to explore Cana Island Lighthouse.

Can you visit Cana Island Lighthouse?

Yes. Cana Island Lighthouse welcomes visitors, usually with seasonal hours. Check the official site for current tour times and fees before you go.

Lighthouse · Lake Michigan

Cana Island Lighthouse

Door County's island beacon on the open-lake side of the peninsula.

Photo: August Schwerdfeger · CC BY 4.0

Cana Island Lighthouse 2020-09-07.jpg by August Schwerdfeger · CC BY 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Official website Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Cana Island Lighthouse

Cana Island offers a close look at light-station life and Lake Michigan navigation. Its island setting means water levels, weather and site operations affect the visit. Consult the Door County Maritime Museum for current transport, tower access and seasonal hours rather than relying on older photographs of the causeway.

LakeLake Michigan

RegionWisconsin

First litNot listed

Open to visitorsYes; check seasonal hours

Live · Cana Island Lighthouse

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

This place has no verified map position, so conditions are for a nearby forecast point. Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

Late spring through October, when tower climbs typically run; weekday mornings beat the summer and fall-color crowds.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Cana Island Lighthouse.

Climb the spiral stairs of the 89-foot tower for views over Lake Michigan and the Door County shore.
Cross the rocky causeway on foot when it's dry, or ride the tractor-pulled wagon when the lake covers it.
Notice how the 1869 Cream City brick tower was wrapped in steel plating in 1902 to protect it from the weather.
Tour the keeper's house exhibits on the families who tended the light on this isolated island.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Cana Island Lighthouse.

Wear shoes that can get wet — the causeway is often awash, and water levels change from year to year.
Tower climbs can pause in storms or high wind, so check conditions with the Door County Maritime Museum before driving out.
Arrive early on summer and fall weekends, when the island is at its busiest.

Great for Lighthouses Shipwrecks & maritime history

Loading the map. The links and itinerary below are always available.

No verified point location is available. This is a lake overview, not this place's exact position. Precise shipwreck sites are not plotted.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about Cana Island Lighthouse

Where is Cana Island Lighthouse?: Cana Island Lighthouse is on the Lake Michigan shore of Wisconsin.
When is the best time to visit Cana Island Lighthouse?: Late spring through October, when tower climbs typically run; weekday mornings beat the summer and fall-color crowds.
How much time do you need at Cana Island Lighthouse?: Allow 1–2 hours to explore Cana Island Lighthouse.
Can you visit Cana Island Lighthouse?: Yes. Cana Island Lighthouse welcomes visitors, usually with seasonal hours. Check the official site for current tour times and fees before you go.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources

Road trips

Put this place on a longer route.

7–10 days

Lake Michigan Circle Tour

Connect shoreline towns, beaches and cities around Lake Michigan.

View the itinerary

4-6 days

Wisconsin Harbor & Lighthouse Trail

A northbound route from Milwaukee through dune country to Door County.

View the itinerary

Events

Seasonal traditions on this coast.

These events share the region and lake—not necessarily this destination. Confirm current dates with organizers.

June; additional fall programs vary

Door County Lighthouse Festival

A maritime-museum program connecting Door County's light stations.

Organizer & event guide