A Guide to the Historic Lighthouses of Door County
Few places in the Midwest capture the maritime spirit of the Great Lakes quite like Door County. With more than 300 miles of shoreline and some of the most challenging waters on Lake Michigan and Green Bay, it’s no surprise that the peninsula became home to one of the largest concentrations of lighthouses in the United States. Today, these iconic structures stand as reminders of a time when maritime navigation depended on a steady beam of light guiding ships safely through rocky passages and narrow straits.
For visitors exploring the peninsula by boat, seeing Door County’s lighthouses from the water offers a unique and unforgettable perspective.
Cana Island Lighthouse
Perhaps the most photographed lighthouse in the county is the historic Cana Island Lighthouse. Located just outside of Baileys Harbor, this lighthouse was first lit in 1870 and remains one of the best-preserved lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Although we do not offer tours past this area of Door County, it still must be regarded as one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the county.
The tower rises 89 feet above the shoreline, offering sweeping views of Lake Michigan from the top. Visitors can walk across a rocky causeway to reach the island when water levels are low, or take a tractor-pulled wagon ride across when the water rises.
Eagle Bluff Lighthouse – viewed from Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours
Perched high on the bluff overlooking the waters of Green Bay in Peninsula State Park, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse is one of Door County’s most picturesque landmarks. Built in 1868, the lighthouse sits more than 75 feet above the water and once guided ships traveling through the busy Strawberry Channel.
Today, the lighthouse operates as a museum, giving visitors a glimpse into the daily life of the lighthouse keepers and their families who once lived there.
Sherwood Point Lighthouse
One of the lesser-known but historically significant lights is Sherwood Point Lighthouse, located near the entrance to Sturgeon Bay. Built in 1883, this lighthouse helped guide ships entering the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, a critical shortcut between Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
Although the lighthouse is not open to the public, it remains an active navigational aid and an important piece of Door County’s maritime heritage.
Plum Island Range Lights – viewed from Death’s Door Boat Tours
Guarding the dangerous waters of Death’s Door passage are the Plum Island Range Lights. This area earned its ominous name from the many shipwrecks that occurred here over the centuries as vessels attempted to navigate the narrow strait between Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
The lights on Plum Island worked together to help captains align their ships safely through the channel, dramatically reducing the number of wrecks in the area.
Experiencing the Lighthouses by Water – Death’s Door Boat Tours, Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours & Northern Door County Boat Rental
While many visitors explore these historic landmarks by car, seeing them from the water provides a completely different perspective. From offshore, it becomes easier to understand why these lights were placed where they were and how critical they were to guiding ships safely through Door County’s rugged shoreline and hidden shoals.
Boat tours offer one of the best ways to experience this maritime history firsthand. Cruising along the shoreline allows guests to see several lighthouses in a single outing while learning about the shipwrecks, legends, and maritime stories that shaped the region.
Door County’s lighthouses are more than just scenic landmarks — they are enduring symbols of the peninsula’s deep connection to the water. Whether viewed from shore or from the deck of a boat, these historic beacons continue to tell the story of the sailors, ship captains, and lighthouse keepers who once depended on their guiding light.