Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a 32-acre park featuring a 172-foot-tall white tower, maritime forests, and walkways along the Barnegat Inlet shoreline. The site includes an interpretive center with exhibits and multiple trails for visitors to explore the landscape.

The tower was built in 1859 to guide ships through dangerous waters near New York until 1927, when a lightship took over its role. The structure was preserved and later became a public park open to visitors.

The Interpretive Center displays explain how lighthouse keepers lived and worked in this location, showing their daily routines and responsibilities. These exhibits help visitors understand how important this tower was to the people who worked here and depended on it.

Visitors can climb 217 steps to reach the tower top for views, or watch live camera feeds from inside the center building during park hours. The walking paths are easy to navigate and offer rest spots along the way.

The Maritime Forest Trail passes through one of New Jersey's remaining coastal forests, which provides habitat for numerous bird species found nowhere else nearby. This type of forest is uncommon in the region and makes the park a special place for wildlife watching.

Location: Barnegat Light

Inception: 1951

Website: http://state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html

GPS coordinates: 39.76303,-74.10798

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:03