Cana Island Lighthouse – Baileys Harbor, Door County
Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most recognizable historic landmarks in Door County, Wisconsin. Located just north of Baileys Harbor, the lighthouse sits on a small island along the Lake Michigan shoreline and has guided ships through the waters of the peninsula since 1868.
The lighthouse and keeper’s quarters remain beautifully preserved and are open to visitors seasonally. During the summer months,you can tour the tower and climb the spiral staircase for views across Lake Michigan. In winter, the island becomes quiet and peaceful, offering a completely different experience.
General Information
| Location | 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 |
| County | Door County |
| State | Wisconsin |
| Open Season | Mid-May through October |
| Hours | Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Admission | Adults — $10 Youth (5-17) — $10 Children under 4 — Free (cannot climb tower) Active Military Families — Free |
| Map | View Google Map |
Walking Across to the Island
Cana Island is connected to the mainland by a narrow rocky causeway. During normal lake levels you can simply walk across to reach the lighthouse grounds.At times when Lake Michigan levels are high, water may cover portions of the causeway. In those cases, visitors can either walk across in waterproof boots or take the wagon shuttle that operates during the summer season.The walk across the causeway is part of the charm of visiting Cana Island. As you approach the lighthouse, the white tower gradually rises above the cedar trees along the shoreline.
Visiting Cana Island in Winter
One of the most peaceful times to visit Cana Island Lighthouse is during winter. While tours are closed for the season, visitors can still walk across to explore the lighthouse grounds and photograph the historic buildings.Snow often drifts across the causeway from Lake Michigan, so bringing snowshoes can make the walk easier. In winter you may have the entire island to yourself, with the sound of wind across the frozen shoreline and the lighthouse standing quietly above the trees.It is a completely different experience from the busy summer season.
High Water on the Causeway
When Lake Michigan water levels rise, the causeway to Cana Island can flood. This typically happens in spring or after periods of strong wind pushing water toward the shoreline.If the water is covering the causeway, waterproof boots are helpful. Otherwise, visitors can use the wagon shuttle service that operates during the summer tourist season.
History of Cana Island Lighthouse
The Cana Island Lighthouse was built in 1868 to help guide ships navigating the rocky shoreline of the Door Peninsula. It replaced the earlier Baileys Harbor Lighthouse, which had proven difficult for ships to see.The tower and keeper’s quarters were constructed using Cream City brick, a pale yellow brick commonly produced in Milwaukee during the 19th century. Because the brick was vulnerable to weather damage from lake winds and ice, the tower was later covered with steel cladding to help protect it.The lighthouse tower contains a spiral staircase with 97 steps leading to the lantern room. From the top, visitors can look out across Lake Michigan and the shoreline forests of Door County.
Island Rules
Cana Island is part of the Door County Parks system, and a few simple rules help preserve the historic lighthouse and natural shoreline.The island opens ½ hour before sunrise and closes ½ hour after sunset. Because the lighthouse faces Lake Michigan, it is also a beautiful location to watch the sunrise.Camping, overnight parking, glass containers, hunting, and open fires are not permitted. Dogs are allowed but must remain leashed.
Helpful Tips for Visiting
- If lake levels are high, wear waterproof boots when crossing the causeway.
- During peak summer weekends, tours of the lighthouse tower can have wait times of over an hour.
- Children under four years old are not permitted to climb the lighthouse tower.
- Sunrise is one of the most beautiful times to visit the island.
Whether you visit during the busy summer season or the quiet stillness of winter, Cana Island Lighthouse remains one of the most memorable historic landmarks along the Door County shoreline.