Sand Point Lighthouse – Baraga, Michigan

There are two Sand Point Lighthouses in Michigan – the Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga (which this post is about) and another Sand Point Lighthouse in Escanaba, Michigan – both of which are on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s a bit confusing, but the best way to tell them apart is that the lighthouse in Baraga is a red brick lighthouse, and Escanaba’s Sand Point Lighthouse is white. For this review, we’ll focus on the red lighthouse – Baraga’s Sand Point Lighthouse – let’s begin!

Where is the Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga, Michigan?

Sand Point Lighthouse is located right off of US Highway 41, just outside of the small town of Baraga, Michigan.

Quick History of the Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga Michigan

The Sand Point Lighthouse was built in 1872 after a committee decided to add more lighthouses to this area of Lake Superior. One of these spots needing lights was the entrance to L’Anse Bay from Lake Superior, which is at the southwest corner of Keweenaw Bay. The lighthouse stayed in operation until the 1920s when a steel tower took its place. At this point, it was sold to a private party and used as a residence. As of 1994, the lighthouse is owned by the Keweenaw Bay Indians.

Related: 15 Stops on a Keweenaw Peninsula Road Trip

Visiting the Sand Point Lighthouse

The Keweenaw Bay Indians allow the public to visit the lighthouse and the grounds surrounding it. It’s free to visit, but there are no tours and no inside access to the lighthouse is available. I didn’t see any historical plaques or anything during my visit. Basically, you can just walk around it and snap photos. You’ll see a few outbuildings near the lighthouse, as well as the steel tower that replaced this lighthouse, which is still in operation today.

Related: Like lighthouses? Check out all my lighthouse posts in one spot!

The area surrounding the lighthouse is a huge park on the shoreline of Lake Superior. Restrooms, picnic tables, walking trails and a playground – so it’s a nice place to stretch your legs or have a picnic.

Final Thoughts – Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga, Michigan

Michigan has the most lighthouses of all US States – and while Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga probably won’t make any top 10 lighthouse lights, it’s a nice place to stop by while road tripping the Upper Peninsula, and definitely a must-see if you want to see all of Michigan‘s lighthouses! It won’t take you long, it’s not far off the main highway, and the grounds surrounding Sand Point Lighthouse are well-kept.