Au Sable Light Station Trail Hiking Guide
A nearly level old Coast Guard road leads along Lake Superior to the only lighthouse in Pictured Rocks. The tower went up in 1873 and 1874 and was staffed for 84 years, until 1958. Remains of wrecked ships lie exposed on the beach along the way, which makes this walk more of a history lesson than a workout.
Permit: Park here only with a Pictured Rocks entrance pass on the windshield: $25 for a car or $20 for a motorcycle for 7 days, or $15 per person on foot or bike (16 and over). Sellers include Munising Falls Visitor Center and Grand Marais Outfitters; Grand Sable Visitor Center is closed for the season. Guided lighthouse climbs have been free.
The Walk Out
Park in the day-use area at the lower Hurricane River Campground, 12 miles west of Grand Marais on County Road H-58. Walk east through the campground from the picnic area by the river mouth, and the path becomes the old access road. The park lists 1.5 miles each way. onX agrees at 1.51 miles and shows just 13 feet up and 6 down, about 19 feet round trip; one older description says 3.2 miles round trip. Watch for occasional staff vehicles. Bikes aren't allowed on this road.
Shipwrecks Along the Shore
Signs and steps along the road point down to the beach, where exposed wreck remains dot the shoreline. Look, but leave everything where it lies. Past the station buildings at the east end of the grounds, you get a long view of the Grand Sable Banks and Dunes rising over the lake.
The Light Station and Tower Climbs
The grounds include the tower, keepers' quarters, a brick oil building and a fog signal building. In 2026 the park ran free, first-come ranger climbs from June 7 to October 15, so check its Au Sable page for next summer's dates. The climb is 98 steps in all, with at most 10 people inside at once. Shoes need a heel strap, children must be over 42 inches, and bad weather can cancel it. A seasonal toilet and drinking water are on site in summer.
Dogs and Biting Flies
Leashed pets may walk the access road and the station grounds, though not enter the buildings. Don't walk a dog onto the North Country Trail beyond those grounds with a dog, since the rest of that trail is closed to pets. The park singles out this walk for flies: on hot, humid summer days with a south wind they can be fierce enough to ruin a visit. Loose long pants and socks are the defense. Check the wind before you commit to shorts.
Late Season and Winter
Park listings show Hurricane River Campground closed from October 15, 2026, to May 15, 2027, so don't count on its services in the off season. The campground road gets no plowing, and from December 1 to March 31 unplowed park roads take snowmobiles only. H-58 itself isn't plowed between Adams Trail and Grand Marais. Before driving out in fall or spring, ask a visitor center about road status. Hunting is allowed from Labor Day to April 1, so put on hunter orange.
Hiking tips for Au Sable Light Station Trail
- Use the day-use lot at lower Hurricane River, not the campsites.
- Take the signed steps down to see the shipwreck remains.
- Wear shoes with a heel strap if you plan to climb the tower in summer.
- Pack long pants for hot days with a south wind.
- Expect no bike access; the old road is walkers only.
Nearby trails to explore
- North Country Trail (Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
- Miners Castle Overlook
- Chapel Rock Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
A flat walk to a lighthouse suits nearly any group. Pick a summer day in TrailMates, coordinate the long drive out H-58 in the event's group chat, and make your way to the tower with whoever comes along. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.