Standing proudly in Middletown Township, New Jersey, Sandy Hook Light is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States, first lit in 1764. Built to guide vessels into New York Harbor, the octagonal tower has survived the Revolutionary War, when both British and American forces recognized its strategic value.

The lighthouse remains an active navigational aid operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is not open to the public for climbing, though visitors can admire it from the surrounding Gateway National Recreation Area grounds.

Golden hour offers the best photography, with warm light accentuating the white tower against the Atlantic. Nearby, enjoy Sandy Hook Beach, Fort Hancock’s historic officers’ quarters, and excellent birding along the peninsula’s trails.

Explore Nearby

• Mount Mitchell Scenic Drive — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Colorado
• Leonardo — State Park in New Jersey
• Navesink Twin Lights — State Park in New Jersey
• Government Trail — Public Land