Go See It
Ontonagon Lighthouse and Museum: Go See It
A restored brick lighthouse at the mouth of the Ontonagon River, toured through the Ontonagon County Historical Society museum on River Street.
The facts
- Drive
- 2 hr 4 min from Marquette
- Cost
- The Historical Society’s site lists no prices
- Season
- Lighthouse tours run mid-May to mid-October…
- Hours
- Museum: 7 days a week, 10 a.m
Address
422 River Street, Ontonagon, MI 49953 (the Ontonagon County Historical Society museum, where tours start). The lighthouse sits on the west side of the mouth of the Ontonagon River.
DirectionsMore detail
- From Marquette
- 114 mi via US-41 N and M-38 W
- Cost
- The Ontonagon chamber’s lighthouse page lists $5.00 per person (18 and over). The National Park Service place listing, undated, lists lighthouse tours at $7 for adults and museum tours at $5, children free. Call (906) 884-6165 to confirm.
- Season
- Lighthouse tours run mid-May to mid-October, by appointment after that (Historical Society). The Society lists no season dates for the museum; the NPS listing says mid-May to mid-October.
- Hours
- To 4 p.m. Lighthouse tours: 7 days a week, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., mid-May to mid-October. Off-season tours by appointment, (906) 884-6165. Hours as shown on the Historical Society’s own site, which carries no update date.
- From the Bridge
- 4 hr 42 min (277 mi) via M-28 W (Google Maps flags tolls on this route)
Before you go
- The lighthouse tour is self-guided and covers all three levels, including the tower and lantern. The Society says very little is under glass and no rooms are roped off.
- The 5th Order Fresnel lens from the lighthouse is on display in the museum.
- Tickets are sold at the museum or at the lighthouse (chamber page). An older Keweenaw Heritage Sites listing says some stair climbing is required to see the whole building.
- The Society also lists the 36-foot fish tug Sheryl Dennis, open every day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern, and walking tours of the historic downtown by appointment. Its walking-tour page says the tour shows photos of Ontonagon before and after the August 1896 fire.
- Historical Society phone (906) 884-6165, email ochs@jamadots.com.
Sources
- Ontonagon County Historical Society - home (hours, lighthouse tours) Read October 1, 2026
- Ontonagon County Historical Society - Walk Into History (museum, lighthouse, fish tug, walking tours) Read October 1, 2026
- Ontonagon County Historical Society - Learn About Us (address, phone) Read October 1, 2026
- Explore Ontonagon - Lighthouse (hours, fee, tickets) Read October 1, 2026
- National Park Service - Ontonagon County Historical Museum (fees, season; undated) Read October 1, 2026
- Lighthouse Friends - Ontonagon Lighthouse (location, ownership, tours) Read October 1, 2026
- Wikipedia - Ontonagon Light (coordinates) Read October 1, 2026
- Keweenaw Heritage Sites - Ontonagon County Historical Society Museum and Lighthouse (older listing, stairs) Read October 1, 2026
- Google Maps - Marquette to 422 River St, Ontonagon Read October 1, 2026
- Google Maps - Mackinac Bridge to 422 River St, Ontonagon Read October 1, 2026
Verified October 1, 2026