The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead was built in 1882 and sits at the east entrance of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal just off the coastline of Lake Michigan. The light assists in guiding ships into the entrance of the ship canal, which serves as a shortcut to Green Bay, allowing ships to avoid the dangerous Northern Passage around the Door Peninsula. The light was automated in 1972 but the structure is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The lighthouse can be viewed from two vantage points. On the north side of the canal, take Canal Drive and park outside the Coast Guard Station. On the south side of the canal, take Lake Lane until it ends at a small parking area. Walk towards the beach, and there is a pier you can walk out on to get close-up views of the North Pierhead Light.