New Jersey Lighthouse Guide
There are 18 lighthouses in New Jersey. Not all lighthouses are open to the public.
The Absecon Lighthouse is 171 ft high and has a distinguishing black and yellow design. It was built in 1857. The lighthouse covers the shoals of Brigantine and Absecon. The lighthouse has 228 steps. Located in Atlantic City on Rhode Island and Pacific Avenues, it is open to the public. There is an admission fee.
Barnegat Lighthouse is 165 feet high with 217 steps to the top. It is located in Long Beach Island at Barnegat Inlet. The museum is nearby. Open all year round. Admission fee.
Cape May Lighthouse is located in the Cape May Point State Park. It is 157 and 1/2 feet high. Built in 1850, its light shines out to sea close to 24 miles. The lighthouse is open to the public with self-guided tours. there is an admission fee. Cape May Point State Park has over 190 acres with close to 3 miles of hiking trails. There are picnic areas. This is a good place for surf fishing.
Herford Inlet Lighthouse looks like a Victorian House. There are some beautiful gardens here. the lighthouse was built in 1874 along the NJ shore. The lighthouse is open to the public. There is an admission fee.
East Point Lighthouse is located on the shore of the Delaware Bay at the mouth of the Maurice River at Heislerville off RT. 47. It was built in 1849. It is a 2 story brick structure. The grounds are open but the interior is currently going through reconstruction (2006).
Sandy Hook lighthouse located at Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on the grounds of Fort Hancock. It has been in operation since 1764 making it the oldest lighthouse still in operation in the USA. Open to the public. Tours are available. Free admission at this writing.
Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse is located along the Delaware River in Paulsboro. It has been in operation since 1880. Free admission as of this writing (2006). Donations accepted. Open 3rd weekend of each month April – October.
Sea Girt Lighthouse is a Victorian building. It started operations in 1896. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1945. The lighthouse is located in Sea Grit on Beacon Boulevard at the beach. Open to the public. Free admissions at this writing. Donations accepted.
Twin Lights of Navesink are 2 lighthouses built 250 feet high. They are located on Sandy Hook Bay in Highlands on Lighthouse Rd. off Rt. 36. There is a museum with artifacts of the lighthouse and the lifesaving station. Donations requested.
Finns Point Rear Range Light is a wrought iron open frame lighthouse built in 1876. It is 115 feet tall. It is close to Fort Mott State Park. The lighthouse is located in Pennsville on 197 Lighthouse Rd. Free admission as of this writing.
Complete List of NJ Lighthouses
- Absecon Lighthouse
- Barnegat Lighthouse
- Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Cape May Lighthouse
- Chapel Hill Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Conover Beacon – closed to the public
- East Point Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Elbow of Cross Ledge Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Finns Point Rear Range Lighthouse
- Fourteen Foot Bank Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
- Miah Maull Shoal Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Sea Girt Lighthouse
- Sandy hook Lighthouse
- Ship John Shoal Lighthouse – closed to the public
- Tucker’s Island Lighthouse
- Twin Lights of Navesink
- Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse