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Aerial photo of Lighthouse Island with Cattle and East Huron Islands in the background. All part of Huron NWR. Credit: Alina Neel - Ohio State University.
Aerial View of Gull Rock Island part of Huron NWR. Credit: Alina Neel - Ohio State University.
This is the lighthouse building which formerly housed the light's caretaker and his family. Now it is only used to support the light, which is about 200 feet above lake level, 1969. Credit: John Wilbrecht, USFWS.
View of the lighthouse in 2010. It was originally built in 1868. Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Most of the eastern shore of Lighthouse Island is a sheer drop-off into the lake. Huron Island, the largest of the group, is in the distance, 1969. Credit: John Wilbrecht, USFWS.
Gull chick, estimated three weeks old, 1969. Credit: John Wilbrecht, USFWS.
A view from the lighthouse on Huron NWR. The islands are granite with thin accumulations of soil, 1966. Credit: John Hakala, USFWS.
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Eight small islands, totaling 147 acres, make up the Huron National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). It is located just three miles off the south shore of Lake Superior in Marquette County, Michigan. It was established in 1938 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. From 1905 until 1938 the islands were protected by the Department of Agriculture as the Huron Islands Reservation. Because of the islands remoteness and primitive nature, they were designated Federal Wilderness Areas in 1970.
West Huron, or Lighthouse Island, is the second largest island at 40 acres and the only one open to the public. In 1868, the US Coast Guard built a lighthouse on the island which was staffed until an automated light eliminated the need for a lighthouse keeper in 1972. Today the lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Huron Islands Lighthouse Preservation Association was formed to raise funds to help with restoration efforts.
East Huron Island is the largest of the islands at 77 acres and supports the most diverse habitats. Cattle (12 acres) and Gull Rock Islands (15 acres) are the sites of large Herring Gull colonies. The remaining four islands make up only three acres and are little more than granite outcroppings.
The granite outcroppings which make up the islands are millions of years old, in fact, they are some of the oldest rocks on the planet. Covered in glaciers during the last ice age, the islands would have been little more than bare rocks and thin soils when the glaciers retreated. The plants and animals inhabiting the islands have found their way to the islands over the last 8,000 to 15,000 years. Wildlife include 79 species of birds, 8 species of mammals, and 6 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Of the eight islands only four have any type of vegetation; the others are nothing more than stark outcrops of granite. Although the larger islands are vegetated by boreal forests, the trees are shallowly rooted and many parts of the islands are exposed granite. Despite the difficulties of survival, balsam fir, white pine, red pine, white spruce, red maple, bigtooth aspen, and paper birch make up the tree community. Cherry, Canada Yew, and other shrubs, grasses and wildflowers can also be found growing in the understory. There are even a few small sphagnum bogs dotted with black spruce on East Huron Island. There are 157 documented plant species living on the islands, some of which are rare and unique.
While the nameless bare rock islands are small, rising 10-50 feet, Lighthouse and East Huron islands rise 160 feet above Lake Superior. There are no permanent streams on any of the islands but there are a few calderas on the largest islands which collect and hold rainwater.
The Refuge is not staffed and is managed by the Seney National Wildlife Refuge near Seney, Michigan. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. There is no entrance fee. If you would like to contact the Refuge you may email huron@fws.gov or call (906) 586-9851.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Refuge as a federally protected Wilderness area, restricting activities that are not in keeping with the spirit of wilderness.
Allowed Activities:
- Huron NWR is designated a Federal Wilderness Area (PDF file size 1.7 MB).
- Only Lighthouse Island is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, and nature study during daylight hours. All other refuge islands are closed except by Special Use Permit for approved purposes. Exceptions are emergency landings by boats in distress.
- Access to the island is by private boat.
- Fishing is permitted in Lake Superior and is regulated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
- Wildlife observation and photography welcome on Lighthouse/West Huron Island or off-shore from the other islands.
- Fires, camping, and off road vehicles are not permitted on the island.
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Tram lines were used to transport goods to the old US Coast Guard Station. Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Glacial activity is very evident on the islands. This striation is one of a series of glacial striae on the south end of Lighthouse Island, 1969. Credit: John Wilbrecht, USFWS.
Steps leading to the old US Coast Guard Station. Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
Lighthouse on Lighthouse Island. Credit: Jennifer McDonough, USFWS.
A view of Lighthouse Island. Credit: Marco Sánchez, SNHA Intern.
A view of Lighthouse Island. Credit: Jennifer McDonough, USFWS.
Lichens and glacial striations on the granite at Lighthouse Island. Credit: Jennifer McDonough, USFWS.
Gene Little, from the "Michigan Sportsman" TV show, filmed a feature story on the islands during his visit in 1969. Credit: John Wilbrecht, USFWS.
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