Lake Ontario Lighthouse Guide: 13 Towers from Youngstown to Rock Island
Niagara to Thousand Islands — Public Access, Tours & Photo Spots on the Seaway Trail
Complete guide to 13 Lake Ontario lighthouses from Niagara to St Lawrence with public access, hours, and highlights including Fort Niagara, Thirty Mile Point, Sodus Point and Tibbetts Point. Part of the Western NY Hub.
Must-See Lighthouses on Lake Ontario NY
Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse
Address: Fort Niagara State Park, Scott Ave, Youngstown, NY 14174Phone: (716) 745-7611
Website: Old Fort Niagara
Built in 1872, deactivated in 1993. Free self-guided tours noon-3pm mid-July through mid-October inside fort grounds.
Olcott Lighthouse
Address: 5867 Ontario St, Olcott, NY 14126The original 1873 wooden pyramid tower at end of 880ft pier. 2003 full-scale replica open daily 8am-7pm next to boardwalk shops and vintage carousel park.
Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse
Address: 9691 Lower Lake Road, Barker, NY 14012Historic 1875 stone lighthouse within Golden Hill State Park. Named for its position 30 miles east of Niagara River. High Victorian Gothic, public tours and overnight vacation rentals.
Oak Orchard Lighthouse
Address: 14357 Ontario St, Kent, NY 14477Phone: (585) 230-7829
Website: Oak Orchard Lighthouse
Beautiful river-mouth harbor at Point Breeze where Oak Orchard River meets Lake Ontario. Free exterior access.
Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse
Address: 70 Lighthouse St, Rochester, NY 14612Phone: (585) 621-6179
Website: Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse
1822 stone octagonal tower, one of oldest surviving on Great Lakes. Museum tours Fri-Sun 1-5pm.
Rochester Harbor Light Beacon Station
Address: 70 Lighthouse Street, Rochester, NYHistoric 1822 Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse on hillside and active modern beacon at end of Charlotte Pier at mouth of Genesee River.
Irondequoit Bay Light Beacons
Address: 4993 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622Navigation aids at northern outlet where Irondequoit Bay meets Lake Ontario, near Culver Road.
Sodus Point Lighthouse & Museum
Address: 7606 N Ontario St, Sodus Point, NY 14555Phone: (315) 483-4936
Website: Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum
Museum with historical displays, gift shop, and tower stairs offering beautiful views of Lake Ontario. 1871 stone square tower.
Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse
Address: Oswego, NY 13126Phone: (315) 342-0480
Website: Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse
Active aid to navigation off coast of Oswego, built 1934 to replace 1880 light. Accessible via seasonal boat tours from H. Lee White Museum.
Salmon River Lighthouse
Address: 826 County Rte 5, Pulaski, NY 13142Historic circa 1838 operating Lighthouse at mouth of Salmon River where it meets Lake Ontario. Rare birdcage lantern design.
Horse Island Lighthouse
Address: 450 Ontario St, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685Erected 1831, also known as Sackets Harbor Light, on Horse Island in Sackets Harbor. Private seasonal home, visible from mainland.
Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
Address: 33435 County Rd 6, Cape Vincent, NY 13618Phone: (315) 654-2700
Website: Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
1854 lighthouse at parklike point where Lake Ontario meets St Lawrence River. Observation deck, gift shop, visitor center.
Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
Address: Fishers Landing, NY 13641Phone: (315) 775-6886
Website: Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
1882 lighthouse on Rock Island in St Lawrence River. Entire state park on tiny island, boat access only via shuttle.
Lighthouses on Lake Ontario NY Interactive Map
Suggested Travel Itinerary
Here is a comprehensive 4-day West-to-East road trip itinerary following the Great Lakes Seaway Trail to explore all 13 listed lighthouses along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Day 1: Greater Niagara to Orleans County
- Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse Youngstown, NY — 1872 stone tower inside fort grounds (tower closed, grounds open).
- Olcott Lighthouse Olcott, NY — 2003 replica of 1873 light, open daily 8am-7pm next to carousel park.
- Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse Barker, NY — 1875 hand-carved limestone masterpiece in Golden Hill State Park, tours + overnight rentals.
- Oak Orchard Lighthouse Kent, NY — Replica marking harbor where Oak Orchard River meets Lake Ontario at Point Breeze.
Day 2: Rochester & Irondequoit Bay
- Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse Rochester, NY — 1822 stone octagonal tower, museum tours Fri-Sun 1-5pm.
- Rochester Harbor Light Beacon Station Rochester, NY — Modern active steel tower at end of Charlotte Pier.
- Irondequoit Bay Light Beacons Rochester, NY — Functional pierhead beacons at bay outlet.
Day 3: Sodus Point to Eastern Lake Ontario
- Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum Sodus Point, NY — 1871 stone square tower, maritime exhibits, lake views.
- Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse Oswego, NY — Active breakwater light, boat tours via H. Lee White Museum.
- Salmon River Lighthouse Pulaski, NY — Rare 1838 birdcage-style stone light at mouth of Salmon River.
Day 4: Seaway Towns & The Thousand Islands
- Horse Island Lighthouse Sackets Harbor, NY — 1870 brick light, private home, visible from mainland.
- Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Cape Vincent, NY — 1854, where lake meets St Lawrence River, fog whistle building.
- Rock Island Lighthouse State Park Fishers Landing, NY — 1882 island light in middle of St Lawrence River, shuttle boat access.
Route Overview & Side-by-Side Comparison
| Lighthouse | Location | Public Access | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Fort Niagara | Youngstown | Grounds only | Located inside a 300-year-old military fort. |
| Olcott | Olcott | Open Daily | Walkable to a vintage carousel park. |
| Thirty Mile Point | Barker | Open Daily | Located in a state park; offers overnight rentals. |
| Oak Orchard | Kent | Exterior/Grounds | Picturesque river-mouth harbor setting. |
| Charlotte Genesee | Rochester | Fri–Sun Tours | Historic 1822 tower with an active museum. |
| Rochester Harbor | Rochester | Pier Walkway | Modern, active navigation light at pier's end. |
| Irondequoit Bay | Irondequoit | Pier Walkway | Twin harbor channel guiding lights. |
| Sodus Point Museum | Sodus Point | Seasonal Museum | Beautiful historic stone house and tower. |
| Oswego West Pierhead | Oswego | Boat Tour Only | Dramatic offshore breakwater structure. |
| Salmon River | Port Ontario | Exterior/Private | Rare birdcage lantern architectural design. |
| Horse Island | Sackets Harbor | Private Property | Visible from beach; rich War of 1812 history. |
| Tibbetts Point | Cape Vincent | Grounds Daily | Marks the direct intersection of lake and river. |
| Rock Island | Fishers Landing | Boat Access Only | Entire state park situated on a tiny island. |