Which Lake Erie lighthouses can you climb?
As of 2026-10, 10[1] Lake Erie lighthouses have offered public tower climbs. Almost all are seasonal and run by volunteers or small nonprofits, so check each operator before you go. This list never shows hours or prices.
Shore
Tower climbs offered
| Lighthouse | Shore | Operator | What has been offered | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton Lighthouse | Ohio | Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy | Seasonal tours of the restored tower have been offered by the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy.[2] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| South Bass Island Lighthouse | Ohio | Ohio State University Stone Laboratory / Ohio Sea Grant | Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory and Ohio Sea Grant have offered seasonal tours that include climbing to the top of the tower.[3] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Marblehead Lighthouse | Ohio | Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society (museum and tower tours) | Tower tours have been offered seasonally by the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society in the state park.[4] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Lorain Lighthouse | Ohio | Lorain Lighthouse Foundation | The Lorain Lighthouse Foundation has offered guided seasonal tours, reached by boat.[5] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Fairport Harbor Lighthouse | Ohio | Fairport Harbor Historical Society | The Fairport Harbor Historical Society has opened the museum and tower (a 69-step spiral staircase to an observation platform) seasonally, with group tours by appointment.[6] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Presque Isle Lighthouse | Pennsylvania | Lake Erie Lights of Pennsylvania (long-term lease) | Lake Erie Lights of Pennsylvania has offered guided tours and tower climbs seasonally.[7] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Erie Land Lighthouse | Pennsylvania | Lake Erie Lights of Pennsylvania | Lake Erie Lights of Pennsylvania has opened the tower for climbs seasonally.[7] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Barcelona Lighthouse | New York | Town of Westfield (under licence from New York State Parks) | New York State Parks has opened the tower for climbs seasonally, subject to weather, staffing and restoration work; the climb is steep and ends on a ladder.[8] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Dunkirk Lighthouse (Point Gratiot) | New York | Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum; the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light | The volunteer-run Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum has offered guided tours that include the climb to the top, seasonally.[9] | Last verified 2026-10 |
| Buffalo Main Lighthouse | New York | Buffalo Lighthouse Association | The volunteer Buffalo Lighthouse Association has opened the site seasonally and opens the tower for climbs when volunteers are available.[10] | Last verified 2026-10 |
Access details last verified 2026-10. Hours, tours and ownership change. Check the operator before you go. Pier and breakwater lights can be dangerous in wind and waves; obey posted closures and never enter private or Coast Guard property.
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10 Lake Erie lighthouses you can climb, verified 2026-10. lakeerie.info/lighthouses/climb
Sources
- Lake Erie Gazetteer data: this site's own compiled records (lighthouses, shipwrecks, storms), Lake Erie Gazetteer (WeldonPC). Accessed . Values computed by us from this data.
- Port Clinton Lighthouse, portclintonlighthouse.org. Accessed .
- Visit South Bass Lighthouse | Ohio Sea Grant, Ohio Sea Grant College Program / The Ohio State University. Accessed .
- VISIT US | MarbleheadLighthouse, marbleheadlighthouseohio.org. Accessed .
- Lorain Lighthouse – "Jewel of the Port®", lorainlighthouse.com. Accessed .
- Front Page - The Fairport Harbor Historical Society, fairportharborlighthouse.org. Accessed .
- Presque isle Light Station | Lake Erie Lights, presqueislelighthouse.org. Accessed .
- Barcelona Lighthouse - New York State Parks & Historic Sites, New York State Parks. Accessed .
- Dunkirk Lighthouse, dunkirklighthouse.com. Accessed .
- Visit | Buffalolighthouse, Buffalo Lighthouse Association. Accessed .