distance view of all of Manitou Island sitting rather small in Lake Superior white and rusty colored lichen covered rocky shoreline with dark blue water and light blue cloudless sky from water looking at rocky shore with prominent quartz vein running from the water inland, cool! image looking out at the water from the tower with vantage point behind the lantern, red interior stark contrast to natural colors outdoors another view of the lighthouse and tower, open area with trees in the background white lighthouse on rugged shore with very blue sky behind dock stretching out into the lake, inviting visitors to come on in person standing on rock jutting out into Lake Superior, looking off into distance
Acres:93
Year Conserved:2004
County:Keweenaw
Category:Public Nature Area

Activities

Birding
Nature viewing
Water Trail access

Amenities

Dock

Highlights

white lighthouse on rugged shore with very blue sky behind

Our most isolated nature area, the Manitou Island Light Station Preserve is located on the eastern tip of Manitou Island, about 3 miles off the eastern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. At roughly 1,000 acres, Manitou Island is uninhabited and largely covered with a dense undergrowth of Canada yew and plants uncommon to the mainland due to the absence of browsing deer and moose. Boreal forest, spruce bogs, and alder wetlands cover the island; there is one inland lake. The Manitou forest appears magical, with tree branches dramatically draped with 'old man's beard,' a grey-green lichen. Rare plants are found in the interior and along the rocky shoreline.

Planning your visit

The Preserve is open to the public for rock collecting, kayaking, bird watching and visiting the light station grounds, but getting to the island is challenging due to frequently treacherous waters off the Keweenaw's tip and lack of a protected harbor. Hiking on the island is limited due to the thick undergrowth. A wooden dock is located about half a mile to the west of the light station, connected by a minimally maintained woods trail. If you wish to visit the island, please be prepared for sudden weather changes and have emergency supplies on hand. The light station buildings are generally not open to the public except under prior arrangements with the KLT.

Why this place is special

historical photo of manitou island in black and white, lookin gmore in use and important

Migratory bird refuge

Birds use the island as a refuge during spring and fall migrations. Thousands of raptors, water, and land birds pass overhead and rest at Manitou as they navigate the skies over Lake Superior. Members of the Copper Country Audubon frequently use the station as a staging area to count birds during the spring migration season.

Protecting a piece of history

The Keweenaw Land Trust acquired the 93-acre property from the U.S. Government under the auspices of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000. In addition to the dense and unmanaged forests, the property includes the historic light station structures. Construction of the light station was authorized by Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and the modern lamp in the tower is a functioning aid to navigation maintained by the US Coast Guard. A brick storage building was added in 1895, and a concrete fog signal building in 1930. The station was automated in 1953 and sat vacant for many decades before being acquired by KLT in 2004. Work continues to stabilize and rehabilitate the structures for interpretive use.

Maps & documents

The following documents provide additional details about this nature area.