Standing on a rocky shoal in Oneida Lake, New York, Frenchman Island Light has guided boaters since 1918. This modest concrete lighthouse was built to mark hazardous shallow waters in the state’s largest lake entirely within its borders. Its utilitarian design reflects the practical wartime era of its construction. Still an active navigational aid, the lighthouse is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but it makes a striking subject from the water. Golden hour provides the best photography conditions, with the light silhouetted against the lake’s wide horizon. Nearby, visitors can explore Sylvan Beach, Verona Beach State Park, and the charming lakeside communities dotting Oneida Lake’s shoreline.

Explore Nearby

• Frenchman Island State Park — State Park in New York
• Old Erie Canal State Historic Park — State Park in New York
• McAuley Road Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Finger Lakes National Forest — National Forest in New York