Travel Maps
Download or Request
Carefree Travel Guide by Mail
Request Member Info
You have 0 in your list What is the Travel Planner List?
Gray's Reef Light Station
City: Mackinaw
City County: Cheboygan
Region: North West Michigan
Established: 1891
Constructed: 1936
Active Beacon: Yes
Federal Ownership: Yes - future uncertain.
Accessible to Public: No
Accessible for Climbing: No
Museum on Site: No
Located twenty-three miles southwest of the Straits of Mackinaw. The light marks a reef that is a serious navigational hazard. The light was built in 1936 to replace the last in a series of lightships that had been anchored in the area for 45 years. Those were Lightships No. 57, No. 56 and No. 99.
The massive, two-story concrete base includes a steel door near the water line that can be opened from the deck of a ship for loading and unloading. A ladder is built into the concrete base and there is a hoist on the platform.
The white square two-story dwelling is encased in steel. The steel 65-foot tower rises from the center of the building and has a black parapet and lantern. The lantern has diagonal-barred windows and houses a modern 190mm plastic lens that replaced the original Third and Half Order lens. A radio tower has been added to the top of the lantern.
The light was automated in 1976, and is an active aid to navigation. The station is manned once each summer when the Coast Guard uses it to monitor the sailboats participating in the Chicago to Mackinaw race.
Pictures may only be taken from passing freighters or private boat.
When Gray's Reef Light Station was built in 1936, it replaced a series of lightships that had been anchored since 1891. Chester Greiling, 31, was the builder of the 65-foot tower.
Construction of Gray's Reef took two years, because of its distance from shore and dangerous storms. The crib structure was built at St. Ignace and then towed more than 20 miles out to the site. The original third-and-a-half order Fresnel lens was replaced by a 190mm optic lens.
Located 24 miles west of the Straits of Mackinac, this is one of several light stations the guide ships in the area. White Shoal, Waugoshance and Skillagalee lights are all visible from this area.
Gray's Reef was automated in 1976. Today the station is not manned, except for once each summer when the Coast Guard uses it to monitor the vessels participating in the Chicago to Mackinac Yacht Race.
Access to this light is limited to boat travel. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry offers a three hour scenic westward cruise, which takes passengers past White Shoal, Gray's Reef, Waugoshance Light and St. Helena Island light. Cruises include close-in viewing opportunities, although weather concerns can often dictate which can be visited. On board narration is provided by the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association and/or Great Lakes Lighthouse Museum. A portion of the proceeds will go toward their preservation efforts. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking, but always fascinating, the colorful anecdotes, stories, and legends surrounding these marvelous icons will amaze and captivate.
This is one of four Straits area beacons visible from the restaurant, Leg's Inn in Cross Village.
Shepler's
Mackinac Island Ferry: 800-828-6157
Mackinaw Area Tourist Association: 800-666-0160
West Michigan Tourist Association: 800-442-2084
Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association: 313-436-9150
WMTA · 741 Kenmoor Ave. Suite E · Grand Rapids, MI 49546 · 800-442-2084
Member Links
