LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — In an era of smartphones and GPS, Michigan is still looking for lighthouse keepers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now recruiting volunteers for its 2026 Tawas Point Lighthouse Keeper Program, offering participants the chance to live inside the historic Lake Huron tower while helping welcome visitors and preserve the site.

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The lighthouse, located inside Tawas Point State Park, will host rotating volunteer teams from early May through late October. Each four-person team stays for two weeks, spending roughly 30 hours per week guiding tours, assisting guests, and helping maintain the property.

First lit in 1876, the Tawas Point Lighthouse helped guide ships safely through Tawas Bay for generations. Today, it stands as a preserved historic site, where visitors can climb the narrow staircase to the top and see the original Fresnel lens that once warned mariners off the shoreline.

While the exterior remains true to its 19th-century roots, the interior has been updated to support overnight stays. Volunteer keepers are housed in upstairs living quarters that include sleeping space, a kitchen, bathroom, and modern utilities.

Applications for the 2026 season are open through Feb. 28, with selected teams expected to be notified by the end of March.

“This program is perfect for enthusiasts of history, lighthouses or Michigan,” the DNR said.