New Jersey Lighthouses
All 20 historic beacons from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Climb the tallest, explore the oldest in America, and discover maritime history.
New Jersey's coastline is home to some of America's most historic lighthouses. From the nation's oldest working lighthouse at Sandy Hook (1764) to the iconic "Old Barney" at Barnegat Light, these beacons offer broad views and fascinating maritime history. Research the 20 records, check scheduled climbs at public visitor sites, and learn the stories behind offshore and historic lights.
Lighthouse Map
Explore all 20 New Jersey lighthouses. Use the filter panel to narrow by accessibility, region, or status. Click a marker to see details.
Climbable Lighthouses
Check operator schedules and climb restrictions for your dates
Barnegat Lighthouse
"Old Barney"
Iconic 172-foot lighthouse at the northern tip of LBI. Climb 217 steps for panoramic ocean views.
Cape May Lighthouse
Historic 157-foot lighthouse with original 1859 Fresnel lens. Climb 199 steps for spectacular sunset views.
Absecon Lighthouse
New Jersey's tallest lighthouse at 171 feet. Climb 228 steps for views of Atlantic City's skyline.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Oldest working lighthouse in America, lit since 1764. Historic tours at this pre-Revolutionary War landmark.
Twin Lights of Navesink
"Twin Lights"
Unique twin-tower brownstone lighthouse. Site of first U.S. wireless telegraph demonstration. Free museum with NYC views.
Visitable Lighthouses (7)
These records list public visitor access. Confirm whether the tower, museum or grounds are open on your date with the operator.
Barnegat Lighthouse
"Old Barney"
Iconic 172-foot lighthouse at the northern tip of LBI. Climb 217 steps for panoramic ocean views.
Cape May Lighthouse
Historic 157-foot lighthouse with original 1859 Fresnel lens. Climb 199 steps for spectacular sunset views.
Absecon Lighthouse
New Jersey's tallest lighthouse at 171 feet. Climb 228 steps for views of Atlantic City's skyline.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Oldest working lighthouse in America, lit since 1764. Historic tours at this pre-Revolutionary War landmark.
Twin Lights of Navesink
"Twin Lights"
Unique twin-tower brownstone lighthouse. Site of first U.S. wireless telegraph demonstration. Free museum with NYC views.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
Victorian stick-style lighthouse with award-winning gardens. A peaceful oasis near the Wildwood boardwalk.
Sea Girt Lighthouse
Last live-in lighthouse built on the Atlantic Coast. Victorian residential design with community museum.
Lighthouses by Region
North Shore
Sandy Hook to Sea Girt - includes the oldest working lighthouse in AmericaCentral Shore
Long Beach Island and Barnegat Bay - home to iconic Old BarneySouth Shore
Atlantic City to Cape May - including the tallest lighthouse in NJDelaware Bay
Historic lighthouses marking the entrance to Delaware RiverThe Jersey Shore Lighthouse Trail
Plan a multi-day lighthouse adventure from Sandy Hook to Cape May. This suggested itinerary covers the seven visitable lighthouses.
Day 1: North Shore
- 1.Twin Lights - Free museum, NYC views
- 2.Sandy Hook - Oldest in US (weekend tours)
- 3.Sea Girt - Sunday afternoon tours
Day 2: Central & South
- 4.Barnegat - Iconic "Old Barney", 217 steps
- 5.Absecon - Tallest in NJ, 228 steps
- 6.Hereford Inlet - Victorian gardens
- 7.Cape May - Sunset climb, 199 steps
Limited Access Lighthouses
These lighthouses have occasional public access or can be viewed from shore.
East Point Lighthouse
Historic Delaware Bay lighthouse. Interior reported closed; check current grounds access before visiting.
Finn's Point Rear Range Lighthouse
115-foot wrought iron tower in Fort Mott State Park. Civil War fort history combined with lighthouse heritage.
Chapel Hill Rear Range Lighthouse
Historic brownstone tower, now private residence. Viewable from road only.
Offshore & Historic Lighthouses
These lighthouses are offshore, private, or no longer standing. Many can be viewed from ferries, beaches, or during special events.
Tucker's Beach Lighthouse
1868 • 40 ft
Robbins Reef Lighthouse
1883 • 56 ft
Romer Shoal Lighthouse
1898 • 54 ft
Great Beds Lighthouse
1880 • 60 ft
Conover Beacon
1856 • 35 ft
Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse
1914 • 60 ft
Miah Maull Shoal Lighthouse
1913 • 59 ft
Ship John Shoal Lighthouse
1877 • 50 ft
Elbow of Cross Ledge Lighthouse
1910 • 55 ft
Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse
1880 • 112 ft
Plan a lighthouse route for your dates
Build the day around confirmed access, then compare the full cost of an overnight stay if you want more time nearby.
- Confirm your visit date with the operator: tower climbs, museum access and grounds can have different schedules, especially outside summer.
- Ask about the final tour, reservations, child height or age rules and whether your group can manage the stairs. Grounds access does not mean step-free tower access.
- Check the admission options and parking separately, then choose a nearby meal or indoor stop whose hours match your visit.
NJ Lighthouse Challenge
Plan the Lighthouse Challenge using the official programme for your chosen edition. Check its announced dates, participating sites, registration, ticket rules and travel route before booking an overnight stay. Regular tower hours may differ from event hours.
Visiting Tips
Before You Go
- • Wear comfortable shoes for climbing
- • Check weather - clear days offer best views
- • Verify hours, especially off-season
- • Most lighthouses have age/height requirements for climbing
Best Experiences
- • Sunrise and sunset offer spectacular lighting
- • Combine with nearby beaches or state parks
- • Fall foliage adds to the scenery
- • Twilight climbs available at some locations in summer
Photography Guide
Example: Mainland View
Barnegat Lighthouse from the Mainland
Shooting from across the bay captures lighthouses with dramatic sky and water reflections.
Best Light
Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) brings out the warm tones of brick lighthouses. The Atlantic-facing lights catch beautiful morning sun.
Composition Tips
Include foreground elements like dunes, jetties, or keeper's quarters. From the top, capture both ocean and bay/skyline views.
Interior Shots
Spiral staircases make dramatic shots. Original Fresnel lenses (Cape May, Absecon) are excellent interior subjects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you climb the lighthouses in New Jersey?
Several recorded lighthouses offer operator-scheduled tower climbs, including Cape May, Barnegat, Absecon, Twin Lights and ranger-led Sandy Hook tours. Use the climbable list to research your route, then confirm current hours, admission, reservations and child or stair restrictions with each operator.
What is the oldest lighthouse in New Jersey?
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, built in 1764, is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. It has been in continuous operation for over 260 years and is located within Gateway National Recreation Area; its navigational light is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard.
What is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey?
Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey at 171 feet. It is also the third tallest lighthouse in the United States. Visitors can climb 228 steps to reach the top for panoramic views of Atlantic City.
What is the NJ Lighthouse Challenge?
Check the official Lighthouse Challenge programme for the announced dates, participating locations, registration and access rules for the edition you plan to attend. A regular lighthouse schedule does not guarantee challenge-weekend access.
Which New Jersey lighthouse has the best views?
Twin Lights in Highlands offers spectacular views of the NYC skyline on clear days. Absecon Lighthouse provides panoramic views of Atlantic City. Barnegat Lighthouse offers beautiful views of Barnegat Bay and the ocean.
How many lighthouses are there in New Jersey?
This directory records 20 New Jersey lighthouses, including public visitor sites, offshore lights, private locations and historic sites. Directory inclusion does not establish public access; check the individual record and operator before visiting.
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