Built in 1839, Pass Manchac Light stands along the narrow strait connecting Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas in Manchac, Louisiana. One of the oldest lighthouses on Louisiana’s inland waterways, it guided vessels navigating the treacherous pass for decades before being decommissioned. The brick tower is notable as a rare surviving example of antebellum lighthouse construction in the Gulf region.

The lighthouse is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but it’s visible by boat. Golden hour provides the best photography, with warm light reflecting off the surrounding water. Nearby, visitors can explore the ghost town of Manchac, sample legendary crawfish at Middendorf’s, and kayak through the hauntingly beautiful Manchac Swamp.

Explore Nearby

• Fairview-Riverside State Park — State Park in Louisiana
• Tchefuncte State Park and Conservation Reservation — State Park in Louisiana
• Wetlands Cultural Byway — Scenic Byway in Louisiana
• Bayou Teche National Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Louisiana
• De Soto National Forest — National Forest in Mississippi