Mission Point Lighthouse

Mission Point Lighthouse has been a Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula icon for decades. Located at the end of a picturesque drive along M-37 through cherry orchards and vineyards, Mission Point Lighthouse stands as a classic piece of Michigan history. While it no longer guides mariners through West Grand Traverse Bay as it did from September 10, 1870 until it was decommissioned in 1933, Mission Point Lighthouse now offers visitors a peek into what life was like around the turn of the century for lighthouse keepers. 

Mission Point Lighthouse has a very popular and unique keeper program for those who want to stay at the lighthouse for a week (or more) and run the gift shop while meeting hundreds of visitors from every state and many foreign countries. We also have off-season keepers with no retail duties for the winter months. See the website for more detailed information about the keeper program and application process. www.missionpointlighthouse.com 

Lighthouse Park guests are invited to enjoy self-guided historical tours (for a small fee) through the lighthouse, see the fresnel lens on display (climb all the way up to the tower!), to visit our quaint gift shop, open daily May through October and weekends in November. Visitors can peek into the historic Hessler Log Cabin, explore the miles of unspoiled trails that run through and around the park (many of which are just as historic as the Lighthouse itself). Many visitors picnic, photograph, watch for birds and other wildlife, stroll the beach, enjoy the shallow water, gaze out at the sunset, and simply relax. We hope to see you there!