Crisp Point Light: from Doomed to Resumed

Lighthouses fascinate me … the mystery, the romance, the remoteness.  A trip to Michigan's Crisp Point Light is definitely “off the beaten path” but worth the little extra effort it takes to get there.

Starting in 1904, the Crisp Point Light was one of several navigational lights along Lake Superior’s notorious “shipwreck coast”. Eventually, the lighthouse fell victim to neglect and erosion. Deactivated in 1992, it was placed on the lighthouse “Doomsday List”. Thanks to Luce County and the Crisp Point Lighthouse Historical Society, the lighthouse has been saved.  Since 2012, a new light in the tower serves as an a private aid to navigation taking Crisp Point Light from doomed to resumed status.

During a July 4^th weekend trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we take the trek to Crisp Point. This will be our third visit.   I’m not sure if I should count our second visit because the black flies along the lakeshore were so bad we couldn’t get out of the car.  So, w waved good-bye to Crisp Point without seeing the light tower or walking the beach.

Tower Shadows

In 2018, we were in the Tahquamenon Falls area.  The road to Crisp Point begins in this vicinity.  So, we decide to take a side trip and make another attempt to see it.

The unpaved seasonal roads (CR 500 and CR 412) are just as bumpy and dusty as I remembered it. Fortunately, there are signs along the road directing us to the lighthouse.  It takes us about an hour to drive 19 miles to the parking lot to see this light tower on Lake Superior.

CR 412

The first time we came here, the white tower and set of steps to a non-existent entrance building were the only things to see.    

1990's

Today, the white tower has been restored and stabilized and the small entrance building has been rebuilt.

2018

The first thing we do is check out the new Visitor Center which includes a small gift shop/museum. The Visitor Center and Lighthouse are open during the summer months. However, weather or volunteer availability may affect the scheduled days and times. I recommend making a phone call before driving here. A link for contact information is available at the end of this post.  

 Visitor Center

Museum

The restrooms are located near the Visitor Center.

After we browse around the gift shop, we go to the nearby light tower. Stretches of boardwalk help to make getting around the sandy beach easier.   

There are a number of Michigan lighthouses where visitors can climb the tower stairs. (some charge fees). Here at Crisp Point, it’s free to climb the stairs up the 58-foot high conical-shaped tower.

We enter the small brick building that provides access to the tower’s 63 metal steps.  

 Spiral Stairs

 Window View of Lake Superior

Top of the Stairs

The spiral staircase leads to the lantern room where a fourth order Fresnel lens once guided mariners. Currently, a 300mm LED marine light serves as a seasonal private aid to navigation.   

Current Lens

We crawl through the low doorway leading to the widow’s walk outside the lantern room.

Door to Widow's Walk

The widow’s walk offers an 180 degree view of Lake Superior.  From this higher elevation, the gentle breezes off Lake Superior are cool and refreshing on this warm July day. 

 Tower View of Lake Superior

An added bonus (and a pleasant surprise) for us – very few black flies or other insects are bugging us today! We take advantage of this situation and walk along the beach. A number of people are looking for the coveted agate stones that lucky rock hounds sometimes find along the sandy shore.

Crisp Point is located on Lake Superior about 37 miles north of the town of Newberry (75 minute drive) or 37.5 miles from Paradise (75 minute drive).    

The small town of Paradise does offer a few options for food and lodging. On this trip, we used the town of Newberry as our base-camp. Newberry has a few national-chain hotels, a Bed & Breakfast in an historic house, as well as local restaurants and a few fast-food places. Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.

Due to Crisp Point’s lack of services, I recommend bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying the scenery and quiet beauty of this remote location.

If you are interested in other nearby lighthouses, I invite you to view a few of my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Whitefish Point - Light, Lodging & Lake Superior

Climb the Tower - Point Iroquois Light

Lighthouse B&B's

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your trip to Michigan’s Crisp Point Light, please click on the following link:

Crisp Point Light Historical Society Website