Standing in the Elizabeth River near Portsmouth, Virginia, Craney Island Light was built in 1859 to guide vessels through one of the Chesapeake Bay’s busiest waterways. This screwpile lighthouse served as a critical navigational aid through the Civil War era and beyond before being deactivated. Its distinctive hexagonal cottage-style design makes it a notable example of mid-19th-century Chesapeake Bay lighthouse architecture. The light is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but it remains visible from the surrounding shoreline. Golden hour provides the best photography conditions, with warm light reflecting off the water. Nearby, visitors can explore the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the historic Olde Towne Portsmouth district.

Explore Nearby

• First Landing State Park — State Park in Virginia
• Dismal Swamp State Park — State Park in North Carolina
• Colonial Parkway — Scenic Byway in Virginia
• Edenton-Windsor Loop — Scenic Byway in North Carolina