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Latitude: 44.05772, Longitude: -86.51448
Big Sable Point Lighthouse is an iconic piece of Michigan’s maritime history. Nestled among jack pines and reached by a stunning 1.8-mile hike along a breathtaking trail, Big Sable’s striking black-and-white tower rises 112 feet above the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Built in 1867, this historic beacon draws thousands of visitors each year to Ludington State Park. Operated by Lakeshore Keepers since 1987, our mission is to restore, preserve, educate, and ensure accessibility to our lights.
Tip: Keep scrolling to find the Big Sable Point webcam.
You can visit Big Sable Point Lighthouse, climb its majestic tower, relax on its beach, and go to its first-floor gift shop.
Anyone can walk or bike out to the lighthouse. It’s at the end of a one-way, out-and-back 1.8-mile access trail. You can explore the first level, which includes a gift shop, for free, but there’s a fee to climb the lighthouse tower.
Directions from Ludington
For those with mobility limitations, the state park offers track chairs to access the lighthouse. You can contact Ludington State Park to reserve one. The entrance to the lighthouse has stairs.
Note: A recreational passport is required for entrance into the state park with a motorized vehicle. They can be purchased upon arrival. Day-use parking is available.
May 4, 2026, to Labor Day
Fall Hours: Sept 10 to Oct 25, 2026
This camera was made possible with the support of Friends of Ludington State Park.
Enjoy a bus ride out to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. To prioritize accessibility, we offer a limited number of bus days each year. Visitors can ride out to the lighthouse and skip the 4-mile round-trip walk.
2026 Bus Day Schedule
All bus days start at 12 p.m., and the last bus leaves the lighthouse at 4:45 p.m. sharp on that day. If you depart the lighthouse after 4:45 p.m., you will need to walk the 2 miles back to the parking lot in the state park.
Cost of Bus Tickets
Note: Tower climb tickets are not included in the bus cost. They must be purchased at the lighthouse.
Parking and Bus Pickup Location
Park in the main day-use parking lot at the entrance of Ludington State Park. Follow the bus tickets and loading signage towards the state park office area. You’ll find the ticket tent and the bus loading location there.
Big Sable Point Lighthouse Historical Structure Report (HSR)
Lakeshore Keepers had HSRs conducted on three of our lights: Big Sable Point, Little Sable Point, and Manistee North Pierhead Light. An HSR is a comprehensive document that provides research, documentation, and recommendations for the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of a historic building or structure. It allows us to make informed decisions about managing the historic properties in our care.
