Day 3 began with a drive to Sherwood Point Lighthouse. After spending the night in Sturgeon Bay, I arrived at 8:02 a.m. for the first lighthouse stop of the day.
Sherwood Point: a century of lightkeeping
Near Idlewild, on the southwestern side of Door County, Sherwood Point sits on a limestone bluff where Sturgeon Bay opens into Green Bay. Trees surround the station, and the lawn gives the red-brick keeper’s house and attached white tower a distinctive setting above the water.
First lit in 1883, the lighthouse was built to help ships find the western entrance to Sturgeon Bay and the route toward the ship canal connecting the bay with Lake Michigan. That passage offered vessels a shortcut across the Door Peninsula. The compact tower rises from the keeper’s dwelling, combining a working beacon with the home of the people who tended it.
Sherwood Point remained staffed until automation in 1983, making it the last staffed lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Today, it still serves as an active Coast Guard aid to navigation. The keeper’s quarters are also used as a Coast Guard recreational retreat, so this remains a working property with restricted public access rather than a regularly open museum.
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse
For my second stop of the day, I drove across the peninsula to the Lake Michigan side to photograph the two lights at the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. I arrived around 8:40 a.m. and parked in the visitor spaces at the Coast Guard station.
The tall Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse stands on the station grounds, so I couldn’t get close. I took a few photographs from the visitor-accessible area before continuing toward the pier.
First lit in 1899, the white steel tower was built to guide vessels approaching the canal from Lake Michigan. Its distinctive outer framework was added in 1903 to steady a tower that had suffered from vibration. The canal gives ships a route across the Door Peninsula to Green Bay, avoiding the longer trip around its northern tip. Automated in 1972, the lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation at a working Coast Guard station.
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Lighthouse
Next, I walked out toward the pier to capture the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Lighthouse. Smoke still left the sky hazy, giving the red building a muted backdrop over Lake Michigan.
Also known as the North Pierhead Light, this station was established in 1882 to mark the canal’s eastern entrance. The present red structure dates to 1903, with a compact lantern tower rising above its roof and an elevated steel catwalk connecting it to shore. That raised walkway once helped keepers reach the light when waves swept across the pier.
Today, the automated light continues to mark the north pier and help mariners identify the canal entrance. The tall shore light and the lower pierhead light serve the same busy waterway from different positions: one signals the approach, while the other marks the end of the breakwater.
I finished photographing both lighthouses by 9:00 a.m. and headed on to the next stop.
Dunlap Reef Rear Range Lighthouse
I drove back into Sturgeon Bay for Dunlap Reef Rear Range Lighthouse, arriving at 9:24 a.m. It took about 15 minutes to find—the former lighthouse now looks much like the surrounding homes, with remodeling and no lantern room to give it away. It was a different kind of lighthouse stop, and easy to overlook without knowing its history.
Built in 1881, the rear light originally stood on a crib foundation out on Dunlap Reef, with its lantern above a two-story keeper’s dwelling. It worked with a lower front light: lining up the two lights helped mariners follow the channel through Sturgeon Bay and avoid the shallow reef. The range was discontinued in 1924 as navigation aids changed. The rear lighthouse was then sold, moved ashore, and converted into a private residence with its lantern removed. It no longer guides boats, but the surviving building is why it still appears on historic lighthouse lists.
A detour to Cave Point County Park
Next, I took a break from lighthouses and drove to Cave Point County Park, an internet favorite I wanted to see for myself.
On Door County’s Lake Michigan shoreline, Cave Point is known for its limestone cliffs, wave-worn ledges, and caves carved into and beneath the rocky coast. The combination of wooded trails, open lake views, and waves washing against the stone makes it a favorite for hikers and photographers. It’s a place where the shoreline itself is the main attraction.
I hiked for a bit and took a ton of pictures. It was a really cool experience, although rain cut the visit shorter than I’d hoped.
Baileys Harbor Range Lights: a walk between two beacons
From Cave Point, I drove north for about 30 minutes along Door County’s Lake Michigan side toward Baileys Harbor. Wooded stretches and small communities made for a relaxed drive up the peninsula. I arrived around 11 a.m., parked in the dedicated parking area, and walked over to the lights.
This stop had a different feel from the waterfront towers earlier in the day. The two lights sit inland, surrounded by the greenery of The Ridges Sanctuary, with a nice boardwalk connecting them. There were trails to explore, too. It was a little busy, so I waited a few times for a clear view before taking my photographs.
Baileys Harbor Lower Range Light
Built in 1869, the small white Lower Range Light worked with the taller Upper Range Light about 950 feet behind it. From the water, mariners kept the lower red light directly beneath the upper white light to follow a safe course into Baileys Harbor, avoiding the reefs and shallows.
Baileys Harbor Upper Range Light
The Upper Range Light rises from the former keeper’s house, combining a home and beacon in one compact building. After being taken out of service in 1969, the pair was restored and relit in 2015. Today, The Ridges Sanctuary maintains them as private aids to navigation while preserving the historic buildings for visitors.
Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse: finding the Bird Cage
A quick drive around the bend brought me into the Toft Point area to capture Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse. Toft Point State Natural Area preserves a wooded peninsula between Baileys Harbor and Moonlight Bay, with rocky Lake Michigan shoreline, limestone cobble beaches, and forests of maple, birch, hemlock, and conifers. It felt like a quieter, wilder corner of Door County.
I parked at a public access point and walked to the beach. It was a very windy day, and although I knew this would be a drone stop, the wind gave me pause. With several small islands and wooded points in view, I wasn’t sure where to start. I sent the drone straight south and took several pictures while searching. After ruling out the southern islands, I turned due west. A few minutes later, I finally found the lighthouse nestled among a thick stand of trees.
Built in 1851–52 on North Point Island, also called Lighthouse Island, the lighthouse marked the eastern entrance to Baileys Harbor from Lake Michigan. Its round stone tower is topped by an unusual open-looking lantern enclosure—the distinctive design behind its “Bird Cage” nickname. The light was taken out of service in 1869, when the new Baileys Harbor Range Lights and Cana Island Lighthouse provided improved guidance. Today, it is an inactive historic lighthouse on private property, with the attached house used as a private residence; it is not open for public tours.
On the walk back to the car, I spotted a beautiful Great Spangled Fritillary. This large butterfly has orange wings patterned with black markings, while the undersides of its hindwings carry the silvery spots that give it its name. Adults visit flowers for nectar, and their caterpillars feed on violets. It was a lovely little bonus at the end of the stop.
I spent about fifteen minutes here before heading on.
Background: Wisconsin DNR · Wisconsin Historical Society · Destination Door County · Butterflies and Moths of North America
Cana Island Light Station: a barefoot crossing and 97 steps
From Toft Point, it was about a twenty-minute drive to the Cana Island parking area. The approach led through the wooded countryside north of Baileys Harbor, toward a quieter stretch of Door County’s Lake Michigan coast. Around Cana Island, evergreens and rocky shoreline give the area a distinctly lakeside feel, with the lighthouse rising above the trees just offshore.
From the parking lot, the lighthouse was roughly a quarter-mile walk—but this was no ordinary walk. A low, rocky causeway connects the mainland to the island. Depending on Lake Michigan’s water level and conditions, it can be dry or covered by shallow water. On this visit, reaching the island meant wading across.
I hadn’t brought proper water shoes, so I took off my shoes and went barefoot. The rocks made it a little uncomfortable, but I chose that over spending the rest of the day in wet shoes. There was another option: a tractor pulling a passenger wagon carried visitors back and forth across the causeway.
This was by far the busiest lighthouse stop of the trip. It wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded, but there were noticeably more people here than at the other lights I’d visited.
Once on the island, I stopped at the gift shop to learn more about this impressive station and bought my admission ticket. Built in 1869, Cana Island Lighthouse was designed to guide vessels along this stretch of Lake Michigan near Baileys Harbor. Its tall tower complemented the harbor’s lower range lights, helping mariners identify the coast and navigate the surrounding waters.
The 89-foot tower was built of Cream City brick and later enclosed in protective metal cladding, giving it the white, segmented appearance seen today. A third-order Fresnel lens concentrated the beacon into a light visible far out on the lake. Today, Cana Island remains an active aid to navigation, while Door County and the Door County Maritime Museum preserve the light station and open its grounds, keeper’s house, and tower to visitors.
A short walk from the gift shop brought me to the lighthouse. Inside, it was fascinating to see how the keeper’s house was used. The furnished rooms made this feel like a home as well as a workplace—a reminder that tending the beacon was part of a family’s everyday life.
Then came the tower. I climbed the 97 steps of the spiral staircase, winding upward through the narrow brick interior toward the gallery deck.
The view from the top was amazing. Looking out over the trees and rocky island shoreline, I could see Lake Michigan stretching away and the wooded Door Peninsula along the coast. After the unusual crossing and the climb, this was the payoff.
Back on the ground, the white tower framed by trees and the rocky shore made for another beautiful perspective on the station.
I spent nearly an hour here. Then it was back through the water across the causeway, a chance to dry off my feet and put my shoes back on, and I was heading to the next stop around 1 p.m.
Beyond the Climb: Explore Cana Island Lighthouse
Discover the station’s history, visitor information, and a full photo gallery in the dedicated lighthouse guide.
Background: Door County Parks · Wisconsin DNR · Door County Maritime Museum
Peninsula State Park: Eagle Tower, Eagle Bluff, and a view to remember
With quite a bit of time on my hands, I took a few scenic drive-throughs of Sister Bay, Ellison Bay, and Northport before heading back down the peninsula to Peninsula State Park and Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.
Set along Green Bay between Fish Creek and Ephraim, Peninsula State Park brings together wooded trails, limestone bluffs, sheltered bays, and eight miles of shoreline. The cliffs are part of the Niagara Escarpment, a long ridge of ancient bedrock that helps give Door County its distinctive shape. There is plenty to explore here beyond the lighthouse, from a sandy beach and bike trails to overlooks above the water. I paid the $16 entry fee and headed into the park.
Eagle Tower: 100 steps above the trees
My first stop was Eagle Tower. It was pretty crowded, but I got lucky and found a parking spot. The day was sunny and a little warm—great weather for the view, although I worked up a good sweat climbing the 100 steps to the top.
The tower rises 60 feet, putting its observation deck 253 feet above Green Bay. From that height, the water, wooded shoreline, and surrounding islands spread out beyond the railings. The beauty was amazing. After taking in the view, I chose the 850-foot canopy ramp for the walk down. It gave me a different perspective through the trees and a chance to get a few more steps in before heading to Eagle Bluff.
The interpretive panels added some context to the scenery, connecting the waters below with the area’s shipwrecks and the park’s past.
Five minutes too late at Eagle Bluff
I arrived at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse at 4:05 p.m. Unfortunately, it had closed for the day at 4 p.m., so I missed my chance to tour the interior. Five minutes! I still spent about fifteen minutes walking around the lighthouse and photographing it from every side.
First lit in 1868, Eagle Bluff was built to guide vessels through Strawberry Channel, the narrow passage between the Door Peninsula and nearby islands. Its Cream City brick keeper’s house and attached square tower combine a family home with a working beacon. The pale brick, red roof, and green shutters make a striking contrast with the surrounding trees.
William and Julia Duclon raised seven sons here during William’s service from 1883 to 1918. The light was automated in 1926, ending the era of resident keepers. Today, the station still serves as an aid to navigation, while the Door County Historical Society preserves its history and offers tours that bring the keeper’s household to life. I would have loved to see inside, but even an exterior visit was worth the stop.
Sven’s Bluff: a view to carry home
On my way out of the park, I made one more stop at Sven’s Bluff. This overlook opens onto Green Bay, with a wooded shoreline curving along the water below. It is the kind of place where the sweep of the bay and the trees invite you to pause. The view was amazing.
One thing I practice in life is visual meditation. When I want to lower my stress or settle down for sleep, I use deep breathing and picture some of the most beautiful views I have visited. Sven’s Bluff became one of those places—a scene I can return to in my mind when I need a little calm.
After about ten minutes soaking up the view, I was back on my way to the next light.
Background: Wisconsin DNR: Peninsula State Park · Eagle Tower · Door County Historical Society · Eagle Bluff Light Station · Park overlooks
Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse: whitecaps and wet shoes
After leaving Peninsula State Park, I headed south toward Kewaunee, hoping to fit in a couple more lights before calling it a day. The drive took about an hour and twenty minutes. Heading down the Door Peninsula meant trading the park’s wooded bluffs for small towns and stretches of open countryside, before reaching Kewaunee’s Lake Michigan waterfront.
It had been a windy day, but once I parked and walked toward the beach, I could feel the wind at full strength. Whitecaps rolled toward shore, and waves broke along the pier. The lighthouse stood out at the far end, its white walls and red roof bright against the blue sky and restless water.
As I made my way to the pier, I could see water splashing over the top. If I was going to walk all the way out for a close-up, my shoes were going to get wet. They did. I reached the light with wet shoes, but the walk was fun and, for me, worth it.
Kewaunee’s lighthouse marks the south side of the harbor entrance, where the Kewaunee River meets Lake Michigan. Its beacon helped vessels find the protected harbor, while its fog signal provided an audible guide when visibility failed. That role mattered especially during the port’s busy commercial years, when rail ferries carried loaded train cars across the lake.
The lighthouse took its present form in 1931, when a square tower and lantern were added to the existing fog-signal building. The compact, house-like structure combines the machinery space below with the beacon overhead. Its white exterior, red roof, and green doors give it a distinctive appearance among the tall, narrow towers elsewhere on this trip.
The station was automated in 1981, ending the need for resident crews. Today, it continues to serve as a navigational beacon. The City of Kewaunee acquired the lighthouse in 2011, and local preservation groups help restore the building and share its history—a working light and a reminder of the harbor’s past.
Background: City of Kewaunee · Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse · U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office
Algoma detour: where did the lighthouse go?
From Kewaunee, it was a quick twenty-minute drive north along the lakeshore to Algoma. I hoped to photograph the Pierhead Lighthouse, but when I reached the parking lot, I was confused. I couldn’t pinpoint the light at all. Once I got to the pier, a sign answered my question: the lighthouse and its historic catwalk had been removed for preservation.
The removal was part of a major reconstruction of Algoma’s North Pier. The lighthouse was lifted onto a barge and taken to Sturgeon Bay for off-site work, including repainting, while crews rebuilt its waterfront foundation. The plan was to bring the light back once its place on the pier was ready. Temporary navigation markers would help boaters during the work.
The catwalk had a different path ahead. Its elevated steel walkway once let keepers reach the light above the waves, and it became part of Algoma’s familiar waterfront silhouette. Restoring and returning it depended on private fundraising, as the sign explained. Preserving the lighthouse and saving the catwalk were connected efforts, but the catwalk’s return wasn’t guaranteed.
With no lighthouse to photograph, this became a very quick detour. I’m leaving Algoma out of my lighthouse tally for the day and saving a proper visit for another time. Then I headed back to Sister Bay.
Background: Lighthouse removal and North Pier reconstruction · Catwalk preservation information from the sign photographed on this visit.
Sister Bay: live music and a lightning finale
I checked into Sister Bay Inn, a really nice motel with a hot tub and a convenient location close to downtown. Sister Bay sits on the Green Bay side of the Door Peninsula, where the waterfront, marina, shops, and restaurants make the village a lively place to spend a summer evening. After a full day chasing lights, it was a welcome place to settle in.
I stopped at The Garage at Husby’s for a beer and some live entertainment. The outdoor setting, music, and people made for a great scene. I stayed for about an hour, enjoying a little downtime after all the driving and walking.
Then the sky got very dark. That was my cue to head back to the motel.
After I settled in, the lightning show arrived. I couldn’t hear thunder—just constant flashes lighting up the sky. I grabbed my chair, sat on the balcony, and enjoyed the view while capturing some video. It was quite a finale to the day.
By 10 p.m., I was in bed.
Area background: Sister Bay visitor information · The Garage at Husby’s