Discover the Charm of Mission Point Lighthouse

Getting There

• Car

  If you're driving from the main visitor center of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, head south on M-22 towards Glen Arbor. Continue on M-22 for approximately 10 miles until you reach the junction with M-72 in Empire. Take a left onto M-72 and follow it for about 5 miles. Merge onto US-31 N towards Traverse City and continue for around 14 miles. Once you reach Traverse City, turn right onto Center Rd. Continue straight for about 4 miles, and you will arrive at Mission Point Lighthouse, located at 20500 Center Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686. There is no fee for parking at the lighthouse.

• Public Transportation

  While public transportation options are limited in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area, you can use local transit services like the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) to get to Traverse City. Once in Traverse City, take the BATA Route 10 towards the downtown area. You will need to transfer to a local taxi service or rideshare (like Uber or Lyft) to reach Mission Point Lighthouse at 20500 Center Rd. Check the BATA website for schedules and routes, as they may vary seasonally, and there may be a small fare for the bus ride.

• Biking

  For those who enjoy biking, you can rent a bike in Traverse City and follow the scenic bike routes towards Mission Point Lighthouse. Start at the Traverse City waterfront and head south along the TART Trail. Follow the trail until you reach the intersection with Center Rd, where you will turn left. Continue on Center Rd for approximately 4 miles, and you will arrive at the lighthouse. Ensure you have a bike lock to secure your bike when visiting.