A white tower rises from a red-orange base where the Portage Canal meets Lake Superior. Seen from McLain State Park, the Upper Entrance lighthouse is framed by rock, driftwood, and the open lake.
Quick Facts
| Location | Eastern breakwater at the northern entrance to the Portage Canal, near McLain State Park, Houghton County, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Lake Superior · Keweenaw Waterway |
| Current lighthouse | Built and first lit in 1950 |
| Earlier station | Established in 1874 |
| Design | White steel tower above a concrete fog-signal building and cylindrical foundation |
| Navigation role | Active aid to navigation |
| Tower access | Closed to the public · Exterior viewing |
| Viewing | McLain State Park shoreline |
History & Description
The Upper Entrance marks the northern opening of the Keweenaw Waterway, where the Portage Canal reaches Lake Superior. The waterway gives vessels a route across the Keweenaw Peninsula through its connected canal, lake, and river passages.
An earlier lighthouse was established here in 1874. As the entrance developed, pier lights, fog signals, and breakwaters became part of the navigation system. Improvements to the canal changed both the harbor layout and the lights needed to mark it.
The present lighthouse was built in 1950 following major waterway improvements completed in the late 1940s. It stands at the outer end of the eastern breakwater, with a white steel tower rising above a concrete fog-signal building and a cylindrical foundation.
Todd’s photographs show its distinctive red-orange base and the long line of rocks extending toward the light. From the beach, driftwood and shoreline trees offer natural frames for the tower. The station continues to serve as an active navigation aid.
Visitor Information
- Where to view it
- McLain State Park, along M-203 near Hancock, offers shoreline views of the lighthouse. The beach provides room to compose the beacon with Lake Superior, rocks, and driftwood.
- Breakwater conditions
- The approach includes large, uneven rocks. Shoreline viewing is the easiest option. Check posted restrictions before approaching the breakwater and avoid it when waves, ice, or wet surfaces make footing hazardous.
- Recent repair work
- The Army Corps of Engineers announced Upper Entrance breakwater repairs and a closure scheduled through October 1, 2026. Check current notices and on-site signs before assuming access has reopened.
- Tower access
- The lighthouse is closed to the public. Plan for exterior views rather than an interior visit or tower climb.
- Photography
- A longer lens isolates the tower and its bright base. Wider compositions can include driftwood or shoreline vegetation; keep the lighthouse clear of foreground branches when possible.
Photo Gallery
Seven views from the shoreline and breakwater. Select a photograph to view it larger.
Explore the Keweenaw
Discover the Lower Entrance Lighthouse →
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