Hi there!
Although Wawatam Lighthouse is a smaller Michigan lighthouse, as it is one of the many Straits of Mackinac lighthouses.
The Wawatam Lighthouse is also a rather new lighthouse as far as Michigan lighthouses go.
As the story goes, this exact lighthouse was first standing in Southeast Michigan (Monroe MI) before it was moved up to St Ignace MI in the Upper Peninsula just a few years ago.
The Wawatam Lighthouse started officially lighting up for ship navigation (and snowmobiles going across the frozen lake too!) shortly after that in 2006.
If you’re taking your time during your trip to the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, then you may enjoy a nice leisurely stroll in St Ignace that includes a walk along the shores of Lake Huron to the Wawatam Lighthouse!
Walking out to Wawatam Lighthouse is one of the scenic things to do in St Ignace.
Huron Boardwalk, Chief Wawatam Park, and more near the Wawatam Lighthouse
Connected to the Wawatam lighthouse is the Huron Boardwalk. You will take the Huron Boardwalk to get to the lighthouse.
You can make this a longer or shorter walk depending on how much you want to walk. It’ll be a walk right along Lake Huron and a boat harbor.
You can make it a self-guided historic St. Ignace walking tour along the boardwalk.
👆 Spot the lighthouse!
As you are walking along the Huron boardwalk to get to the lighthouse, you’ll also pass right by the Chief Wawatam Park. (Not to be confused with the Wawatam Park in the lower peninsula that comes with a small beach and Mackinac Bridge views which can be another small park to visit.)
The Chief Wawatam Park in St Ignace is a small little park that’s located right along the Huron boardwalk and Lake Huron. There’s a water fountain that kids (or you!) can run through, there’s some St Ignace history you can read up on, and there are some benches so you can sit and take in those lake views.
The Mackinac Grille restaurant (menu + reviews) is located right next to the Huron boardwalk on the lighthouse side so you can go for a casual walk before or after eating!
There is also a St Ignace ferry to Mackinac Island that is near the Huron boardwalk. So if you end up with some extra time before your ferry departure, you can go for a leisurely stroll to the Wawatam Lighthouse and take in the views at Chief Wawatam Park!
From the lighthouse you can also watch the Mackinac Island ferry departures and arrivals.
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Now…
Here’s more of what your nice St Ignace walk can be like when you go see the Wawatam Lighthouse!
PHOTOS!
Pictures from July 2020.
For google maps, you can put in Wawatam Lighthouse as your destination and it can get you there.
There is free street parking, so as you near the lighthouse, you can look for a spot to park.
And then… take the Huron Boardwalk to get to Wawatam Lighthouse, passing by Chief Wawatam Park along the way!
👆 Spot the lighthouse!
There’s more to read about St Ignace history when you’re visiting Chief Wawatam Park.
And then you’ll continue walking past Chief Wawatam Park to get up close and personal to the Wawatam Lighthouse!
Bring quarters for your St Ignace trip if you want to use these binoculars!
And that’s a bit of what a visit to the Wawatam Lighthouse can be like!
I went to Wawatam Lighthouse in July 2020. Your experience may vary!
See more lighthouses in Michigan:
- Lake Superior lighthouses
- Whitefish Point Lighthouse (shipwreck coast)
- Crisp Point Lighthouse
- Eastern Upper Peninsula
- Au Sable Point Lighthouse: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore hikes
- Eagle Harbor Lighthouse: Keweenaw Peninsula
- Grand Traverse Lighthouse
- Muskegon South Pier Lighthouse: Muskegon State Park
HAPPY WALKING THE HURON BOARDWALK TO SEE WAWATAM LIGHTHOUSE!
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