The lighthouse tower was constructed using cream-colored Milwaukee brick, which was transported to the remote site by boat.
The original keeper's house was destroyed by fire in 1959, leaving only the tower standing today.
The site serves as a major staging area for thousands of monarch butterflies migrating south across Lake Michigan in August and September.
It is one of the few remaining historic lighthouses in the Great Lakes region that allows public access to the top of the tower.
The lighthouse was originally equipped with a fourth-order Fresnel lens to guide vessels into the bay.
The Stonington Peninsula, where the lighthouse sits, separates the waters of Little Bay de Noc from the main body of Green Bay.
Peninsula Point Lighthouse is a historic site located at the tip of the Stonington Peninsula on Lake Michigan, originally built in 1865. The structure is recognized for its unique square brick tower, which remains standing even though the original keeper's dwelling burned down in 1959. It served as a critical navigational aid for the bay until it was decommissioned in 1936. The site is now maintained by the Hiawatha National Forest and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can climb the stairs to the lantern room for panoramic views of Green Bay and Big Bay de Noc. The surrounding grounds provide natural habitat for migrating monarch butterflies during the late summer and early autumn. It is accessible via a gravel road through dense forest land that requires careful driving. The area is part of the Peninsula Point Recreation Area, which offers picnic facilities and access to the rocky shoreline.
The view from the top of the lantern room looking south toward the open waters of Green Bay.
Bring binoculars for birdwatching and spotting ships on the horizon.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes as the shoreline is rocky and uneven.
Pack insect repellent, especially during the summer months when mosquitoes and biting flies are active.
Do not attempt to drive to the point during or immediately after heavy rains, as the forest road can become muddy and impassable for standard passenger vehicles.
Access to the peninsula and the lighthouse is generally limited during winter months due to heavy snow accumulation and lack of road plowing.
Practice Leave No Trace principles; do not disturb the butterfly habitats or climb on the exterior brickwork.
