Of all Door County's lighthouses, Cana Island is the one on the postcards. It stands on a small, rocky island just off the Lake Michigan shore near Baileys Harbor, a tall white-and-cream tower with a keeper's house and outbuildings clustered at its base, and the setting is a large part of its appeal. To reach it, you cross a short, sandy causeway. Depending on lake levels and conditions, visitors may ride a wagon across or wade across on foot, and that small crossing sets the tone for the visit: it feels like a destination rather than a roadside stop. On the island you can walk the grounds, tour the keeper's quarters and other historic buildings, and, when the tower is open, climb the 97-step spiral staircase to the gallery deck for views across Lake Michigan and back toward the peninsula. The lighthouse dates from the nineteenth century and has guided ships along this stretch of coast for well over a century, marking a shoreline that was notoriously dangerous for early shipping. The Door County Maritime Museum plays a central role in preserving and interpreting the site, and its lighthouse programs are a good way to learn about the keepers, the shipwrecks and the technology of the lights. For photographers, the combination of white tower, dark rock, blue water and sky is hard to beat, particularly in the morning or at golden hour. For history lovers, the buildings give a sense of what life was like for a keeper's family living on an exposed island.
Planning the visit
Cana Island is a seasonal attraction, with access to the tower and the buildings generally available during the warmer months and limited or closed outside them. Hours, admission and the status of the causeway can change with the season, staffing and lake levels, so check the tourism board's Cana Island page or the Door County Maritime Museum before you go.
The island is a short drive from Baileys Harbor, and parking is typically at the mainland end of the causeway. Expect a fee for tower and building access, and expect a line on summer weekends.
Getting there and across
The crossing is a short distance, but the surface is sandy and can be wet, so wear shoes that can handle water if you plan to walk. If wagon rides are running, they are a convenient option for anyone who finds the walk difficult. The tower stairs are steep and narrow and are not suitable for everyone, so decide before you go whether you want to climb. If you cannot climb, the island grounds and the keeper's buildings are still worth the visit, and the views from the shore are lovely.
Making it count
Go early or late in the day to avoid peak crowds and to catch the best light. Combine Cana Island with a walk through the Ridges Sanctuary and a look at the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, or with lunch in Baileys Harbor. The Lighthouse Trolley Tour includes Cana Island as one of three lights, which is a convenient way to see it without driving, and the Door County Maritime Museum runs a calendar of lighthouse tours and passport days that include it.
Bring water, sunscreen and a hat, since the island is exposed, and a camera with a wide-angle lens if you have one. On a windy day, bring a jacket, because the breeze off the lake can be cool even in July. Consider combining it with Cave Point for a full Lake Michigan coast day.
What to expect
The experience
A visit to a lighthouse island near Baileys Harbor, crossed by a sandy causeway, with historic buildings and a 97-step climb to the gallery deck when the tower is open.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon in the warmer months, for softer light and smaller crowds.
How long
One to two hours, depending on whether you climb and how long you linger.
Tips
Check season and access before you go, wear shoes that can get wet, and bring sun protection and a layer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, history fans and anyone who wants the classic Door County lighthouse picture.
- Families
- The causeway crossing is an adventure for children, but the tower stairs are steep.
- Couples
- A scenic, quiet stop, best in the golden hour.
- Pair with
- Ridges Sanctuary and the Range Lights, or the Lighthouse Trolley Tour.
- Time needed
- Allow half a morning or afternoon, including the drive from Baileys Harbor.
Good questions
How do you get to Cana Island Lighthouse?+
Cana Island is reached by a sandy causeway. Visitors may ride a wagon across or wade across on foot when the water allows.
How many steps are in the tower?+
A spiral staircase of 97 steps leads to the gallery deck, when the tower is open to climbers.
Where is Cana Island?+
It is just off the Lake Michigan coast of Door County, near Baileys Harbor.
Is Cana Island open all year?+
Access is seasonal and can vary with conditions, so check the tourism board or the Door County Maritime Museum before you go.
Can I see Cana Island on a tour?+
Yes. The Door County Lighthouse Trolley Tour includes Cana Island along with Eagle Bluff and the Baileys Harbor Range Lights.