Au Sable Light Station
Au Sable Light Station
NPS photo by Karen Gustin
Located in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this light stands on Au Sable Point on the south shore of Lake Superior, approximately 12 miles west of Grand Marais, Michigan. Visiting the Au Sable Light Station
Summer Lighthouse Tours Au Sable Light Station tours are scheduled Wednesday through Sunday from June 18 through mid September (as staffing permits). No tours on Monday and Tuesday. Tours begin at 11 a.m. and run through 5 p.m. The 30-40 minute Park Ranger guided tours begin at the lighthouse east porch. Register at the Au Sable Maritime Museum for the next tour. Tour fee is $3 for those 6 and older. Correct change is greatly appreciated. Fees payable inside the maritime museum. Lighthouse visitors are reminded that the area includes very sandy soils, narrow sidewalks, and steps to access the buildings. Au Sable Light Station Guided Tours (pdf)
Summer Transportation The Lakeshore has partnered with the Munising-based public transportation company Altran for van transportation to the light station on a limited number of Saturdays in 2012 (June 30, July 21, August 18, September 29). Altran will transport people with mobility limitations on the hour for a $5 round trip fee ($2.50 one way). The van will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can meet the driver in the lower Hurricane River day use parking lot located at the bridge on Alger H-58. Once the van arrives at Au Sable, getting around the site is up to the individual. Visitors should be aware there are very sandy soils, narrow sidewalks, and only the boathouse is accessible on one floor. The other buildings require climbing steps. Altran summer transportation (pdf)
Au Sable Day This occasionally annual September event includes special tours of the light station and transportation to and from the light for those with mobility challenges. Please email the visitor center to inquire about Au Sable Day for the current year. In 2012, Au Sable Day is planned for Saturday, September 29. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Au Sable Light Station Podcasts - A Virtual Tour
Lakeshore Seeks Live-In Volunteers The park is seeking applications from lighthouse enthusiasts to live at the light station and staff the new museum and contact station. A volunteer apartment is being completed on the second floor of the head keepers quarters and includes a kitchen, indoor bathroom, small living room, and one bedroom. Please submit your volunteer application at www.nps.gov/volunteer. Thank you!
Recent Progress at Au Sable In 2010, the park celebrated the completion of our nearly 30 year effort to restore the structures and landscape of the Au Sable Light Station to its 1909 appearance. The final projects included whitewashing the light tower, replacing the pressed metal roofs, and restoring auxiliary structures. In 2005, behind the scenes work was completed to the Au Sable photo-voltaic power generation grid to the control panels. Power is now available in both of the main buildings, and a liquid propane gas system is operational.
Lighthouse Furnishings Donations Sought Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is looking for a few good antiques ... lighthouse antiques to be exact. The Lakeshore is seeking donations of furniture and other period memorabilia this winter to refurnish the first floor of the assistant keepers residence at the Au Sable Light Station. The targeted period of refurnishing is 1910 or a few years prior to that. 1910 is the year the head keeper's quarters were constructed and the former keeper's quarters was divided into duplex apartments. News release - Lakeshore Seeks Donations of Lighthouse Furnishings For more information ... |
Did You Know?
Located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Au Sable Light Station is on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in 1874, the station beacon still shines over Lake Superior's frigid waters. The lamp is now solar powered. More...