The lighthouse's first-order Fresnel lens was the most powerful of its kind in the United States when installed.
The 217-step spiral staircase is original to the 1858 construction.
General George G. Meade, designer of the tower, famously led Union forces to victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.
The lighthouse served as a critical navigational aid for vessels entering the busy New York Harbor trade route.
The surrounding Maritime Forest is one of the few remaining examples of this ecosystem on the barrier island.
The tower was decommissioned as an active aid to navigation in 1944 but was reactivated as a private aid in 2009.
The current structure is built on a foundation of granite blocks brought from Maine.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is located at the northern tip of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, and features a historic 163-foot lighthouse completed in 1858. The park provides access to the Barnegat Lighthouse, which was designed by George G. Meade, who later became a General in the Union Army during the Civil War. Visitors can climb the 217 steps to the gallery deck for panoramic views of Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The park grounds encompass maritime forest trails, an interpretive center, and a jetty extending into the inlet. It serves as a significant site for migratory birds and offers access to a fishing area along the jetty rocks. The original lighthouse replaced an earlier 1835 structure that succumbed to shoreline erosion.
The view from the top gallery deck looking south down the length of Long Beach Island.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear if you plan to walk on the rock jetty.
Check the weather before visiting, as high winds often lead to temporary closures of the lighthouse gallery deck.
Bring binoculars, as the park is a prime location for spotting ospreys and other migratory raptors.
Do not attempt to walk on the jetty during high tide or stormy conditions due to slippery and unstable surfaces.
The lighthouse climb may be closed seasonally or during inclement weather; the park grounds remain open throughout the year.
Maintain a safe distance from the jetty rocks which can be slippery; children should be supervised closely near the water's edge.
