Adults-only working lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior in the UP. A place to put the screens down and enjoy nature’s beauty with views of the lake and 40 acres of woods with walking trails. A Keeper’s Breakfast served on trays allows you to eat with a view. Rejuvenate in the sauna or visit the Serenity Massage Hut for a massage.
The Inn at Big Bay Lighthouse provides a secluded adult retreat where guests escape from the stress of daily life and renew their spirits in the unsurpassed beauty of this working lighthouse. You’ll feel better than you can imagine while enjoying quiet nights and northern lights on our Lake Superior shore.
Guests enjoy all the conveniences of modern life except individual television and phones. In addition, guests can meander more than three acres of lawn and 40 acres of woods with trails. Whether you climb to the top of the tower or sit in our Adirondack chairs, the views of Lake Superior are awesome.
Amenities include Fireplaces, a whirlpool, a sauna, spa service, and a full Keepers Breakfast, serviced on trays. Wifi and mobile phone service can be spotty in this remote area of the Upper Peninsula, but most guests quickly adapt.
Relax with a view in the Serenity Massage Hut. Book separately when you reserve your room.
Because of their age, exposure to the elements, and status as marvels of maritime history, lighthouses require constant upkeep. Your stay here helps support lighthouse preservation. Thank you.
Big Bay is nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Superior in Marquette County. It’s a perfect spring, summer, or fall retreat, whether you seek outdoor adventures or want to relax and enjoy the Lake Superior breezes.
Before Big Bay became one of the Upper Peninsula’s best-kept secrets for outdoor enthusiasts, this quaint town was first established for the timber industry in the 1800s. In 1944, it was the site of a Ford Motor Company automotive plant and a retreat for Henry Ford and top company executives. Later, Big Bay lit up the silver screen in James Stewart’s award-winning 1959 film “Anatomy of a Murder,” and was the site of the actual murder that inspired the film.
Today, Big Bay draws a quiet and loyal following for its unspoiled nature and access to the Big Bay of Lake Superior. From Marquette, follow County Road 550 along the shoreline of Lake Superior for about 25 miles until you get to Big Bay, where the road ends. Once you arrive, you will notice that Big Bay is almost like stepping back in time with its historic wooden structures and brick buildings in the small downtown.
Escape the ordinary and embrace the allure of Big Bay, Michigan. Immerse yourself in nature, connect with friendly locals, and cherish the rich history of this hidden gem.
In addition to staying in one of the five updated rooms at our lighthouse, you could charter a boat to photograph the privately owned Granite Island Light or Huron Island Light, now part of a federally protected island wilderness. For easier viewing from land, take the scenic 45-minute drive to Marquette to see the Marquette Harbor Light and the Presque Isle Harbor Breakwater Light.
The Big Bay Point Light Station is a privately owned and operating residence. Public access through the Bed and Breakfast Inn and designated tour dates provides the necessary funds to preserve the lighthouse for future generations. We thank all our guests and patrons for supporting our beacon. May the light shine bright!
The Big Bay Point Lighthouse was built in 1896 as a two-story brick duplex with a square, 60-foot-high square tower. It is outfitted with a fixed 3rd-order Fresnel lens made in France and weighing nearly 2,000 pounds. The light is located 105 feet above Lake Superior. The current light, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard as an active aid to navigation, is a rotating beacon from the 1940s. It’s the brightest light on Lake Superior.
After being on display for a time at the Marquette Maritime Museum, our 3rd-order lens came home to Big Bay Lighthouse. Guests can view it in a display area where we also have a 4th-order drum Fresnel Lens and a collection of modern marine lanterns donated by the Coast Guard. All lenses on display have been used at various light stations or buoys.
In 1986, the two-story brick building and the tower were converted into a B&B.
If you love the out of doors, you’ve come to the right area of Michigan. One of the most-recommended places to explore near Marquette is Presque Isle Park, a forested 323-acre peninsula offering many views of Lake Superior and coastal rock formations. You could simply drive through, but it’s recommended that you stop frequently and take paths leading to the shoreline. Many trails go through the inner acres of the park. A few times a week in season, the part is closed to non-motorized traffic.
Work off our full breakfast by hiking up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, about 25 miles from here, close to Marquette. The trail is a combination of stairways and paths over rocks and roots.
Closer to the lighthouse, you could hike to Alder Falls, one of the tallest in the area, or Yellow Dog Falls, about a mile from the parking area. Or, take a picnic lunch to the top of Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook.
If you arrive in the Upper Peninsula after crossing the Mackinac Bridge, your route may take you past the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. You never know what birds or wildlife you’ll see along the one-way drive through the refuge. The visitor center will give you a great overview of the flora and fauna you might see in the UP.
See our Things To Do page for more ideas.
The cold, deep waters of Lake Superior provide an important route for the transportation of iron ore, grains, and various mined and manufactured materials. In season, many ships head between Duluth and the Soo Locks, through which marine traffic must pass because of the difference in elevation between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Lake freighters going to and from Duluth don’t pass close to Big Bay Lighthouse because they must travel a northerly route around the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Marquette’s waterfront is the nearest place to watch ships and other vessels of all sizes
Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association
6757 Cascade Road SE, Ste 241
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
