Little Sable Point Light stands in the south end of Silver Lake State Park, on the Lake Michigan shore near Mears. The Michigan DNR dates the tower to 1874. The U.S. Coast Guard history page calls it a brick conical tower, 107 feet tall, first lit that same year. 12

What to see

The Coast Guard notes the tower was originally white and is now red brick. It still holds a third-order Fresnel lens from 1874. The station was automated in 1955. 2 The DNR says the tower is more than 100 feet tall and still has that original lens. 1

A paved, accessible walk leads to the base. The Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association runs tower tours from mid-May to October. The climb is 130 steps. Current tour days belong on the park page and with the keepers. 1

This is not Big Sable Point. That white tower with the black band stands in Ludington State Park, farther up the same coast. The Coast Guard makes the same distinction. 2

Best seasons

The park is used year-round. The tour season the DNR names is mid-May to October. 1

How to get there

The light sits inside Silver Lake State Park. The DNR address for the park is 9679 W. State Park Road, Mears, Michigan, 49436. 1 A Recreation Passport is required for motor vehicles entering Michigan state parks. 3

Tips

  • The walk to the base is paved. The climb inside the tower is a long stair. 1
  • Stay on the pedestrian side of the park. The ORV dunes are a different zone. 1
  • We do not have a Little Sable listing in the shop. The nearby light at Big Sable Point is the one on our ornaments and coasters.

Safety

Lake Michigan currents and heat on open sand are the risks the DNR names. This page does not report today's flags or whether tours are running. Check the Silver Lake State Park page and the DNR beach safety page before you go. 14