Have you seen this frozen Cleveland lighthouse? It is common knowledge that water freezes once it becomes cold enough. Roads get slippery and icy as winter arrives, and puddles become frozen mirrors. However, freezing temperatures in Cleveland involve so much more than just these familiar occurrences. Winter in Cleveland brings with it an otherworldly sort of beauty, and locals can’t get enough of it.

In 2010, it seemed as if the whole world was gazing in awe at this Lake Erie frozen lighthouse.
Ima Cloud/Google Photos
Days of wintry winds churned Lake Erie, forcing its waters to form dramatic waves. As the waves danced on the surface of the lake, they splashed and shaped a familiar lighthouse into an incredible ice sculpture.
The frozen Cleveland lighthouse was the Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse, which dates back to 1911.
© Gabe Leidy Photography
This lighthouse, which is situated where the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie meet, has frozen in the presence of wintry winds since 2010. And it's not the only thing that has frozen and transformed into an extravagant ice sculpture ...
... the entirety of Cleveland's coast, it seems, transforms into an otherworldly ice garden in the winter months.
© Gabe Leidy Photography
As winds and unusual weather patterns continue to bring both rain and waves to Cleveland's frozen landscape, wintertime looks different each and every year.
That's right, while this frozen Cleveland lighthouse is amazing to see, there are plenty of other places to gawk at. In the presence of wind and waves, everything from branches to fishing piers become alien structures in a frozen landscape.
© Gabe Leidy Photography
These nature-made sculptures come in a variety of sizes, each mesmerizing in its own way.

Related Stories

11 Wintertime Struggles Only True Clevelanders Can Fully Appreciate

11 Wintertime Struggles Only True Clevelanders Can Fully Appreciate

 9 Places Around Cleveland That Have The Most Unbelievable Christmas Decorations

9 Places Around Cleveland That Have The Most Unbelievable Christmas Decorations

 This Paczki Road Trip Through Greater Cleveland Is The Best Thing You'll Do This Winter

This Paczki Road Trip Through Greater Cleveland Is The Best Thing You'll Do This Winter
The lake itself frequently freezes over, resulting in mesmerizing displays of churned ice chunks as the surrounding world melts.
LASZLO ILYES/Flickr
Ice gardens seem to pop up all winter long, with some of the most extravagant displays occasionally appearing in early spring.
Jen Goellnitz/Flickr
April showers bring May flowers, but there's no reason to beware of the ice of March! Such structures, like the Lake Erie frozen lighthouse are, in their own way, just as lovely as floral blooms.
With so much beauty to offer, it is no wonder locals are drawn to Lake Erie and lighthouses in Ohio in every season.
Carol Vinzant/Flickr
And the frozen beauty of Cleveland's coast, you may have realized, is well worth braving the cold to see.
Erik Drost/Flickr

Winter in Greater Cleveland can be brutal, thanks largely to the wonders of lake effect snow. However, Lake Erie also gives us a winter wonderland of unrivaled beauty. Have you ever visited this Lake Erie frozen lighthouse? What are your favorite lighthouses in Ohio?

Need some new wintertime gear? Check out what Backcountry has to offer.

Love wintertime beauty in Ohio? Just wait until you learn about these hikes to these frozen waterfalls near Cleveland!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Winter In Ohio

Rachel Raimondi | January 23, 2024

Where can I go snow tubing in Ohio?

Lighthouses in Ohio are a real sight in the winter but how about something a little more active? Check out these places to go snow tubing in Ohio:

The Bubly Tubing Park: Located within Mad River Mountain Ski Resort in Zanesfield, this spot happens to be the largest tubing park in the state. There are two conveyor belts to bring you up and 10 lanes available to come down.

Valley’s Edge Snowtubing: You’ll find this snowtubing spot over in New Paris. They allow young kids (must be over four years old), so it’s a great spot for the whole family. There are four lanes.

Where can I go snowshoeing in Ohio?

Get even more out of winter in the Buckeye State by heading out for snowshoeing in Ohio:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: While you may have visited here during the warmer months (it is one of my favorite stops when heading from New York to Indiana), did you know it’s also great in the winter? As long as there are four inches of snow on the ground, you can rent snowshoes and head out on the trails.

Holden Arboretum: Another great spot during warmer weather, this 3,600-acre tree botanical garden in Kirtland also allows snowshoeing in the wintertime. Bring your own or you rent some from the visitor center.

What are the best towns to visit in the winter in Ohio?

Did you love seeing the frozen Cleveland lighthouse? Check out some more winter sights at some of the best towns to visit in Ohio in the winter:

Zoar: Located in Tuscarawas County, this is a great spot during the winter as they have a month-long Christmas event. There are also over 50 historic structures to see as well as a great deal of German culture to absorb.

Loudonville: Just because this town is the Canoe Capital of Ohio, it doesn’t mean there isn’t much to do in the wintertime. Head to Mohican State Park for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. You can also go ice fishing in areas like Clear Fork Gorge and Lyon’s Fall.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse, 2800 Whiskey Island Dr, Cleveland, OH 44102, USA