The historic Au Sable Light Station is located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The lighthouse was built in 1873-1874 and has a height of 86 feet. The hike to the Au Sable Light Station is an easy 3.2 mile round-trip walk along a very level gravel access road.
The trailhead for this hike is located just off County Road H-58 near the Hurricane River Campground. This is in the eastern portion of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, 12 miles west of the city of Grand Marais. There is parking for about 10 vehicles at the trailhead. Additional parking is available just off H-58, a few hundred feet from the trailhead.
To visit the lighthouse, hike east a short distance to the Hurricane River Campground where the trail becomes the access road. The road closely follows the shoreline for Lake Superior for much of the hike. Along the way there are informational signs about shipwrecks, some of which can be viewed from beach below the trail. Pets are permitted on this hike and on the lighthouse grounds. However, bicycles are not permitted.
Upon arriving at the lighthouse ground you will see a number of other structures in addition to the lighthouse including a brick oil building, the fog signal building, and the light keeper’s quarters. Au Sable Lighthouse tours are available during the summer months; check the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore website for details regarding dates, times, and fees. A view of the impressive Grand Sable Banks and Dunes can be seen from the east end of the grounds. Before or after your hike, be sure to check out the Hurricane River as if flows into Lake Superior; a footbridge over the river is located near the trailhead. There are also picnic tables nearby.
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