Barnegat Lighthouse

Barnegat Lighthouse rises 172 feet above the northern tip of Long Beach Island on the New Jersey shore, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Atlantic coast. First lit in 1859, this red and white tower was designed by Lieutenant George Gordon Meade, who would later command Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg. The lighthouse replaced an earlier tower that had been undermined by shoreline erosion.

The lighthouse is the centerpiece of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, where visitors can climb the 217 steps to the top for panoramic views of Barnegat Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Island Beach State Park across the inlet, and the Long Beach Island shoreline stretching south. On clear days, the view extends for miles in every direction, making it one of the premier coastal overlooks in the mid-Atlantic region.

The surrounding state park offers a maritime forest nature trail, a short bayfront walk with interpretive panels about the area’s natural history, and a rock jetty that provides excellent fishing and birdwatching. The inlet between the lighthouse and Island Beach State Park channels strong tidal currents that attract bluefish, striped bass, and other game fish, drawing anglers year-round.

The lighthouse is open for climbing from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on select weekends in spring and fall. Arrive early during summer weekends, as visitor capacity is limited and lines form quickly. The park grounds are open year-round and offer excellent winter birding, with harlequin ducks, purple sandpipers, and snowy owls regularly spotted near the jetty.