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Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Barnegat Light, NJ

Photo: Cory Hauck, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffOutdoor AdventureFree

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

208 Broadway · Barnegat Light, NJ

Why you should go…

Old Barney, the lighthouse at the northern tip of Long Beach Island, was first lit in 1859 and has 217 steps to the top. A 1,033-foot concrete walkway runs along the top of the jetty for saltwater fishing and views over Barnegat Inlet. The Maritime Forest Trail is a 0.2-mile loop through one of the last pieces of maritime forest on Long Beach Island. The Interpretive Center has exhibits on the lighthouse and the wildlife around it.

  • #lighthouse
  • #state park
  • #long beach island
  • #fishing jetty
  • #birding

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

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