Michigan Island

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Green islands on blue water with Michigan Island called out in orange

About the Island

Michigan Island stands alone as the southeasterly sentinel of the Apostle Islands. It is about 3 miles east-northeast of Madeline and just under 3 miles southeast of Presque Isle Point on Stockton Island. There are two lighthouses on the southeasterly shore about a mile from the sandpit. Michigan Island’s first lighthouse (and the first in the Apostle Islands) was built in 1856. The second lighthouse, a taller steel structure, was built in Pennsylvania in 1880 and moved to Michigan Island in 1929. The light still flashes at 6 second intervals, 170 feet above the surface of the lake, visible for 11 statute miles.

There is a single designated campsite located on the sandpit on the south side of the island’s westerly tip. There is a path between the lighthouses and the campsite, The mile-long path takes you through heavily forested areas including some majestic hemlocks. Excerpts from Apostle Islands Water Trips by John C. Frank. Buy a copy here.

Proceeds benefit Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the park.

Fast Facts

Map of Michigan Island calling out specific island features

NPS Map – Click image to enlarge

Oldest Michigan Island Lighthouse

The older of two Michigan Island lighthouses. Click image to enlarge. – Photo: Jon Okerstrom

Michigan Island – Bagidaabii-minis

Location:  46.87° N 90.49° W

Features: 

  • 2 Lighthouses
  • 1,539 acres
  • 8 miles of shoreline
  • 1 campsite located near the sandspit
  • Primitive camping
  • 2 Hiking Trails
  • 1 public dock

NPS Michigan Island Information:

Where would you like to go next?

Basswood Island

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Bear Island

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Devils Island

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Eagle Island

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Gull Island

Gull Island

Hermit Island

Hermit Island

Ironwood Island

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Little Sand Bay – Mainland

Little Sand Bay – Mainland

Long Island

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Manitou Island

Manitou Island

Meyers Beach – Mainland

Meyers Beach – Mainland

Basswood Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, popular

Bear Island - Camping

Cat Island - Camping

Devils Island - Camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

Eagle Island - No amenities

Gull Island - No amenities

Hermit Island - Camping

Ironwood Island - Camping

Little Sand Bay: Mainland - Accessible features, dock, mainland, popular, visitor center

Long Island - Dock, hiking, lighthouse

Manitou Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Meyers Beach: Mainland - Camping, hiking, mainland, popular

Michigan Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

North Twin Island - Camping

Oak Island - Camping, dock, hiking, popular

Otter Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Outer Island - Camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse

Park Headquarters: Mainland - Accessible features, mainland, popular, visitor center

Raspberry Island - Dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

Rocky Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Sand Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, lighthouse, popular

South Twin Island - Camping, dock, hiking

Stockton Island - Accessible features, camping, dock, hiking, popular, visitor center

York Island - Camping