Explore Door County’s Most Iconic Lighthouse
Standing as one of Door County’s most beloved maritime landmarks, the Cana Island Lighthouse has guided sailors along the rocky shores of Lake Michigan for over 150 years. Visitors can take a scenic hay-wagon ride across the causeway to explore the island’s historic grounds, which include the stately 89-foot-tall light tower, the original oil storage house, and the lighthouse keeper’s residence.
The highlight of any visit is the climb up the lighthouse’s 97-step spiral staircase, leading to the gallery deck with breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Door County peninsula. While this climb is a memorable experience for modern visitors, it was once a nightly duty for lighthouse keepers, who carried heavy fuel to keep the beacon shining bright.
First illuminated in 1870, Cana Island Lighthouse was built alongside the Baileys Harbor Range Lights to replace the aging Baileys Harbor Lighthouse. It remains an active navigational aid under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Originally constructed of cream city brick, the lighthouse underwent a significant transformation in 1902 when the exterior was encased in steel plates to protect it from the relentless Lake Michigan weather. The tower continues to house its original third-order Fresnel lens, a remarkable piece of 19th-century engineering that helped revolutionize lighthouse illumination.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The Cana Island lighthouse is located just north of Baileys Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin.
Since the 1970s, both the lighthouse and its keeper’s quarters are open for visitors to tour by means of the Door County Maritime Museum. While we offer premier on-water viewing of the lighthouse, Cana Island has no dock. Be sure to visit by car at your convenience.
Due to fluctuating lake levels, water often flows over the causeway to Cana Island. There is a complimentary tractor and hay wagon ride to shuttle you over to the island. If you do choose to walk across, be prepared with boots or other footwear that can withstand the water and protect your feet.
Cana Island is open May through October, seven days a week, 10 am-5 pm. The last hay wagon ride departs from the parking lot at 4:15 pm. The last tower climb starts at 4:30 pm.
View the Cana Island causeway webcam
Door County Maritime Museum Cana Island Lighthouse
8800 Cana Island Rd
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920-743-5958
