Red pier lighthouses are the signature of this stretch of Lake Michigan. They are beautiful year round, and in winter they can be coated in ice.
If you only have time for one or two, here is where to find them and how I would see each one. Each one has its own personality, and each one is close to a town worth exploring.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: The Best Spots to Watch the Sun Set Over Lake Michigan
The Lakeshore's Red Lighthouses
1) Grand Haven
The red lighthouse and its catwalk sit at the end of the south pier. It is an easy walk from downtown along the boardwalk.
I would start downtown, walk the boardwalk out, and time it so you are near the lake around sunset.
Grand Haven is the easiest of the three to see on foot. Grab a coffee downtown and make the walk part of the outing. On a calm evening, the boardwalk is one of my favorite walks on the whole lakeshore.
2) Holland
Big Red stands on the channel at Holland State Park.
Here's a secret: the best photos are from the state park beach on the north side.
Bring your camera and plan for some patience. The light changes fast near sunset, and every few minutes looks a little different.
3) South Haven
The red lighthouse sits at the end of the south pier, right next to South Beach.
This is the easiest one to pair with a beach day. Walk the sand, then wander up toward the pier.
South Haven's lighthouse is my pick for families. The beach is right there, so kids can play in the sand while you take your photos. In summer, plan your visit for the evening when the light is warm.
READ: Lighthouses, Shelf Ice and Winter Beach Walks
4) A safety note
The piers are dangerous in high waves and when they are icy. Enjoy them from the beach on rough days.
The lighthouses look just as good from the sand, especially when the waves are crashing.
In winter, ice on the lighthouses and piers is beautiful, but it is also slippery and unpredictable. Stay off it, stay back from the edge, and watch the waves from a safe spot on shore. Please keep kids and dogs close. A pier on a stormy day is a sight worth seeing, and the beach is the right place to see it from.
Seeing all three makes a great little road trip up or down the shore, and each town has a downtown close by for lunch. Pick a calm day, bring a warm layer, and give yourself time to linger.
Every one of our homes is within an easy drive of at least one lighthouse. West Olive Cottage is close to Grand Haven, Holland Home Retreat is close to Big Red, and South Haven Cottage puts you near South Beach.