The 1905 outer lighthouse was originally illuminated by an oil-wick lamp before being electrified in 1920.
The connecting catwalk was designed to allow lighthouse keepers to reach the outer light safely during heavy storms when waves crested over the pier deck.
The pier is constructed of timber cribs filled with stone, topped with concrete walkways added during early 20th-century pier extensions.
The Grand Haven lighthouse keeper's building was moved off the pier and repurposed as a private residence before the Coast Guard fully automated the light.
The site is part of a larger historical district that includes the nearby Grand Haven State Park.
The Grand Haven South Pierhead consists of two distinct lighthouses connected by a raised iron catwalk that extends into Lake Michigan. The inner light is a square pyramidal tower built in 1875, while the outer light, constructed in 1905, is a cylindrical steel tower with a lantern room. The pier itself serves as a vital breakwater for the Grand Haven harbor, protecting the channel entrance from Lake Michigan's waves. The catwalk remains one of the few remaining examples of its kind in the Great Lakes region. The structure is managed by the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy. The outer lighthouse was originally powered by a fourth-order Fresnel lens. It remains an active navigational aid for commercial and recreational vessels entering the channel.
From the beach at Grand Haven State Park looking north towards the lighthouse during sunset.
Check local weather reports for wind speed, as the pier is highly exposed and can become hazardous during high-wave events.
Wear footwear with strong grip, as the pier surface can be slick or uneven, especially after rain or spray from the lake.
Visit during the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival in late July for specialized tours and community activities.
Walking to the end of the pier during 'pier-washing' conditions when lake waves are breaking over the concrete surface.
The pier is publicly accessible year-round, though access may be restricted by the Coast Guard during extreme weather or maintenance operations.
Avoid climbing on the catwalk or the lighthouse structures; stay off the pier during high-wind or heavy-wave warnings posted by the Coast Guard.
