Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
Cape Vincent, NY
A white lighthouse where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River; a great sunset spot and a good place to watch ships.
The Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent, in northern New York State, stands where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River. The white stuccoed tower was built in 1854, is about 58 feet (18 m) tall and holds a fourth-order Fresnel lens that is still in use. A first stone tower, 30 feet (9 m) high, was built here as early as 1827. The site lies on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail and fits easily into a road trip along the shore; according to Fodor's, admission is free.
The grounds were part of a 600-acre (about 240 ha) tract granted to Captain John Tibbetts. The Coast Guard staffed the light until 1981, and it has been automated since; the station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The complex includes the keeper's house and, since 1993, a visitor center, and the Tibbett's Point Lighthouse Society has cared for the tower since 1988. The tower's interior is closed because it remains an active aid to navigation; from the shore you can see Wolfe Island in Canada on a clear day. The former hostel in the keeper's house no longer operates.
- Nearest town
- Cape Vincent, NY
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 44.1003, -76.3708
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Black River Bay CampgroundsMotorhome stopover17 mi from Tibbetts Point LighthouseMotorhomes
- Willows on the LakeCampsite19 mi from Tibbetts Point LighthouseTentsCaravans
- Motorhome stopover · ClaytonMotorhome stopover22 mi from Tibbetts Point LighthouseMotorhomes
- Love's RV HookupMotorhome stopover23 mi from Tibbetts Point Lighthouse · 5 pitchesMotorhomes
- Swan Bay ResortCampsite24 mi from Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Tibbetts Point Lighthouse?
Tibbetts Point Lighthouse is in Cape Vincent, NY, at GPS 44.1003, -76.3708. It is about 11 mi from Kingston.
Can you camp near Tibbetts Point Lighthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Black River Bay Campgrounds, about 17 mi away; within 25 mi there are 5 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Tibbetts Point Lighthouse?
Tibbetts Point Lighthouse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands.
What is there to see near Tibbetts Point Lighthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Wellesley Island State Park (23 mi), Boldt Castle (28 mi), Fort Ontario (44 mi) and Skaneateles (80 mi).
When is the best time to visit Tibbetts Point Lighthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)