Point Betsie Lighthouse in autumn on Michigan's Lake Michigan coast.

Lighthouse · Lake Michigan

Point Betsie Lighthouse

A landmark white tower on the Lake Michigan shore.

Photo: Belle montano-zygmunt · CC BY 2.0

Pt Betsie lighthouse Frankfort Michigan.jpg by Belle montano-zygmunt · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Point Betsie Lighthouse

The lighthouse stands near Frankfort on Michigan's northwest Lower Peninsula.

LakeLake Michigan
RegionMichigan
Representative coordinates44.6917, -86.2536
First lit1858
Open to visitorsYes; check seasonal hours

Live · Point Betsie 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

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

June to early October for tours and warm sand; sunset over Lake Michigan is the classic time to photograph the light.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Point Betsie Lighthouse.

  • Climb the tower, first lit in 1858, for a view up the Manitou Passage toward Sleeping Bear Dunes.
  • Explore the restored keeper's dwelling, fog signal building and Boathouse Museum on a guided tour.
  • Walk the beach beside the light, where a concrete apron and breakwalls shield the tower from Lake Michigan's erosion.
  • Photograph the white tower and red-roofed dwelling as the sun drops into the lake.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Point Betsie Lighthouse.

  • Tower climbs have a minimum height requirement for children, so check the rules with the Friends of Point Betsie before you go.
  • Stay off the breakwalls and out of the water when waves build; currents near the point can be strong.
  • Combine the light with nearby Frankfort and the southern end of Sleeping Bear Dunes for a full day.
Great for Lighthouses Beaches & dunes

Get your bearings

On the shoreline.

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

Representative location; not a verified entrance or navigation aid.

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 Point Betsie Lighthouse

Where is Point Betsie Lighthouse?
Point Betsie Lighthouse is on the Lake Michigan shore of Michigan. It is roughly 16 miles in a straight line from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
When is the best time to visit Point Betsie Lighthouse?
June to early October for tours and warm sand; sunset over Lake Michigan is the classic time to photograph the light.
How much time do you need at Point Betsie Lighthouse?
Allow 1–2 hours to explore Point Betsie Lighthouse.
Can you visit Point Betsie Lighthouse?
Yes. Point Betsie Lighthouse welcomes visitors, usually with seasonal hours. Check the official site for current tour times and fees before you go.
When was Point Betsie Lighthouse first lit?
Point Betsie Lighthouse was first lit in 1858. Its tower stands about 37 feet tall.

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

Nearby

More places to visit near Point Betsie Lighthouse.

Approximate straight-line distance between representative pins—not driving distance, a ferry route or an access recommendation.

About 16 miles · Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Expansive dunes, forest and long beaches on Lake Michigan.

Explore place

About 31 miles · Michigan

Traverse City

A northern Michigan favorite between bays and rolling countryside.

Explore place

About 52 miles · Michigan

Ludington

A ferry port framed by Lake Michigan beaches, dunes and lighthouse trails.

Explore place

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

Events

Seasonal traditions on this coast.

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

Early July (dates may begin in June)

National Cherry Festival

Traverse City's summer celebration of the region's cherry-growing identity.

Organizer & event guide