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!
The most important places in the UP to know about are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and the bubbling Big Spring of Kitch-iti-kipi.
Make it a Michigan camping trip to remember by going camping near Lake Superior.
Lighthouses are also a thing, so stop by one of the Lake Superior lighthouses (or many more!), like Whitefish Point and/or Crisp Point. You can also go to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum to explore why Lake Superior has a reputation for being Shipwreck Coast and the Graveyard of the Great Lakes.
Many people don't make it over to the western part of the Upper Peninsula. But if you want to, you will want to know about Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Then, on your way back down south, you can make a detour to go to Mackinac Island (ferry required) or Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (Or, you can do these things on your way up north!)
Read the details: Best places to visit in the Upper Peninsula
Take care when camping!
Message from the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
Michigan is currently experiencing unprecedented hot and dry conditions, causing extreme fire danger.
While we desperately await some much-needed rainfall, it's important to note that you could be the difference between a campfire and a wildfire.
We strongly suggest you refrain from any outdoor burning at this time.
If you do decide to have a campfire, be sure to:
- Keep a water source next to your campfire.
- Properly extinguish your campfire when you are finished by dousing with water and stirring dirt in with a shovel.
- Use the back of your hand to detect if heat is still coming from the fire or ring. If you can feel heat, the fire is not out. Douse and stir again.
- Spray down the metal ring of your campfire. The heat from that can cause dry grass to catch fire.
- Never leave your fire unattended, not even for a minute.
Read more from the State of Michigan.
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