Top lighthouses
LighthousePerry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
LighthouseSouth Bass Island Light
LighthouseMarblehead Light
LighthouseAshtabula Harbor Light
LighthouseFairport Harbor West Breakwater Light
LighthouseFairport Harbor Light
LighthouseToledo Harbor Light
LighthouseVermilion Light
LighthouseLorain West Breakwater Light
LighthouseCleveland West Pierhead Light
LighthousePort Clinton Light
LighthouseCedar Point Light
Lighthouses by county
All lighthouses (26)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry's Victory and International Peace MemorialPerry's Victory & International Peace | Ottawa County | — | Port Clinton | 4 |
| South Bass Island Light | Ottawa County | — | Port Clinton | 4 |
| Marblehead Light | Ottawa County | — | Sandusky | 4 |
| Ashtabula Harbor Light | Ashtabula County | — | Edgewood | 5 |
| Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light | Lake County | — | Fairport Harbor | 5 |
| Fairport Harbor Light | Lake County | — | Fairport Harbor | 5 |
| Toledo Harbor Light | Lucas County | — | Oregon | 5 |
| Vermilion Light | Lorain County | — | Vermilion | 6 |
| Lorain West Breakwater Light | Lorain County | — | Lorain | 7 |
| Cleveland West Pierhead Light | Cuyahoga County | — | Cleveland | 8 |
| Port Clinton Light | Ottawa County | — | Port Clinton | 5 |
| Cedar Point Light | Erie County | — | Sandusky | 5 |
| Grand Lake St. Marys Lighthouse | Mercer County | — | Celina | 4 |
| Green Island Light | Ottawa County | — | Port Clinton | 4 |
| West Sister Island Light | Ottawa County | — | Curtice | 4 |
| Huron Harbor Light | Erie County | — | Huron | 5 |
| Turtle Island Light | Lucas County | — | Luna Pier | 5 |
| Cleveland East Pierhead Light | Cuyahoga County | — | Cleveland | 7 |
| Conneaut Harbor Light | Ashtabula County | — | Conneaut | 5 |
| Perry's memorial lighthousePerry's Victory & International Peace | Ottawa County | — | Port Clinton | 4 |
| Lorain East Breakwater Light | Lorain County | — | Lorain | 7 |
| Lighthouse Point Marina | Ottawa County | 173 m | Sandusky | 4 |
| Lorain Lighthouse | Lorain County | 173 m | Lorain | 7 |
| Northwood Lighthouse | Mercer County | 265 m | Celina | 4 |
| Old Lighthouse | Lake County | 186 m | Fairport Harbor | 5 |
| United States Coast Guard Station Lighthouse | Ottawa County | 180 m | Port Clinton | 4 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph lighthouses
Lighthouses work at both ends of the day: blue hour when the beacon is lit, and golden hour when white towers take on warm tones.
- During blue hour, use 5–15 second exposures to capture the beam; check whether the light is still active.
- Shoot from the beach or a jetty to place the tower against open sky and sea.
- Stormy weather and crashing surf add drama; keep a safe distance from waves on rocks and piers.
- A telephoto from across a bay compresses the tower against cliffs or the moon.
- Many lighthouses are on private or Coast Guard property — check public access and opening hours.
Season: Summer brings open towers and tours; autumn and winter offer storms, fewer crowds and lower sun angles.