Michigan Opens Applications to Run a Lighthouse in 2026
If you've ever found yourself staring out into endless waves of Michigan's Great Lakes and thought, "You know what my life is missing? Authority over a lighthouse," congratulations. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for someone just like you.
RELATED: Deserted Fourteen Mile Point Lighthouse, Keweenaw Peninsula
Michigan Is Offering You Lighthouse Authority
The Tawas Point Lighthouse sits inside Tawas Point State Park, about 75 miles northeast of Saginaw. This location offers postcard-like views of Lake Huron, sandy beaches, and enough serenity to make your phone forget how to buzz. Keeper opportunities run from early May through late October, which means you can pick a slot that avoids snowpants.
You apply as a team of four, all of whom must be over the age of 18, all capable of climbing 85 steps to the top of the tower without questioning the life choices that lead you to a lighthouse on Lake Huron.
What It Takes to Manage a Michigan Lighthouse
The DNR promises you'll get training from the lighthouse historian, then step into your role as official lighthouse ambassador. Duties will include:
- Greeting visitors and leading tours (up and down the 85 steps)
- Answering lighthouse questions (like, "How many steps are there to the top?")
- Light cleaning and basic maintenance (all of which happens 85 steps "north.")
- Casually saying, "Yeah, I live here... and there's 85 steps to the top."
It's about 30 hours a week of work, leaving plenty of time for biking, swimming, beach walks, and exploring the area. Oh, and it will cost $250 per person. That's right, you'll work for room, parking, and access to a Michigan landmark. There's also a $10 nonrefundable application fee. Applications are due by 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with approval notifications sent by March 31, 2026.
RELATED: The Ghost of the White River Light Station, Lake Michigan
Applications are available at the Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse website, or you can email DNR-TawasKeepers@Michigan.gov for more information.