Cana Island Lighthouse
Cana Island lighthouse is an 1800’s lighthouse and keepers quarters located just north of Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin.
General Info
| General: | Tours: May -October, seven days a week |
| Address: | 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 |
| State: | Wisconsin |
| County: | Door County |
| Google Map Location: | Google Map Location |
| Cost: | Adults — $10 includes entrance to the island, keeper’s quarters, and light tower. Youth (5-17) — $10 Children 4 & under — free (Can’t climb the tower) Active Military and Family (up to five members) — free Members — free |
We Walked Over In Winter
You can access the island, year-round. In winter there is no fee to reach the island, but also no tours. You can explore the outside of the grounds. If you are heading over in winter you will need snowshoes.
Cana Island Lighthouse Parking
You can park at the end of the E Cana Island Road and walk across a small isthmus of land. From May through October a fee applies to access the island and grounds.
High Water In Spring & Summer
During the summertime sometimes high lake levels flood the causeway to the island, bring boots or waterproof shoes to walk across, or otherwise, they normally have wagon rides to travel back and forth.
The Rules
A few simple rules for those of us that would like to enjoy the sites on the island.
The island opens 1/2 hour before sunrise. This is the side of the peninsula you would want to take in a sunrise :). The island closes a 1/2 hour after sunset.
No camping, no after hours, no glass containers, no hunting or open fires. Dogs must be leashed.
The rules are pretty straightforward.
Head Over On Snowshoes
During the winter, depending on the average snowfall, I find it easy to strap on snowshoes and travel in. The snow can be drifting off the lake fairly heavy in places.
I love to make the trip in winter because normally, there isn’t anyone around and you can take your time exploring the lighthouse up close.
Besides traveling around the lighthouse, you can snowshoe along the Lake to see the lighthouse at different angles.
A Little History
The lighthouse was constructed in July of 1868 to replace the Baileys Harbor Lighthouse.
The outside of the building and tower were built with Cream City brick which was one of the most common building materials used in Milwaukee during the mid and late 19th centuries.
A steel cladding was added at a later date to the exterior of the tower.
The tower has a beautiful spiral staircase with 97 steps that you can over-look Lake Michigan.
Handy Tips For Your Visit
1.) If you want to cross when the water levels are high wear waterproof boots and prepare to get wet. Otherwise, wait for a ride across.
2.) Before purchasing tour tickets ask for the wait time. During high-volume tourist times, it is not uncommon to wait 1.5 hours for a tour.
3.) If you have a child under the age of four in your party, you can’t climb the tower.
For the grand price of free, It is worth taking a trip in winter to see the outside of the 1800’s lighthouse and keepers quarters. If you would like a tour during the in-season- I have also done this as well. You will enjoy it!
