Scenic park with a maritime forest, trails & a lighthouse with panoramic views & a visitor center.
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Reviews — 8
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At the end of road, drive past and you are in the channel! Free State Park. NJ Coastal Heritage Trail. Open 8am to 8pm. Lighthouse hours vary. No drones, alcohol or smoking. Plenty of parking. Parking lot and grounds are handicap friendly but not the recently restored lighthouse. Bike trails, sheltered panic tables, bathrooms, nature trail, fishing and more. View from top of the Lighthouse is worth the 217 steps!
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History:
Barnegat Lighthouse, locally known as “Old Barney,” is situated on the precarious northern tip of Long Beach Island, NJ, and was originally lit in 1859. Coastal vessels heading to and from New York relied heavily on the lighthouse to protect them from the point’s dangerous shoals, swift currents, and shifting sandbars.
Visitors can climb 217 steps to the top of this maritime specimen for a breathtaking panoramic view of Island Beach, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island.
Lighthouse is not the only thing here, there are also a couple of activities that you can do while you are here
Maritime Forest Trail - The self-guided loop trail is 0.2 miles long, with forest, and migratory birds. Interpretive signs explain the birds and plants you may see during your stroll.
Fishing – If fishing is your game, be sure to bring your gear and head to the bulkhead near the picnic area
Bird watching, picnics, and more...
A few blocks away, you can visit the Barnegat Light Museum, which we didn’t have the opportunity to see but it’s still worth checking out
If you were picturing an area of a lighthouse with beautiful glistening blue-green water, then visiting the Barnegat Lighthouse should be a stop you should make down here in southern New Jersey.
Barnegat Lighthouse, locally known as “Old Barney,” is situated on the precarious northern tip of Long Beach Island, NJ, and was originally lit in 1859. Coastal vessels heading to and from New York relied heavily on the lighthouse to protect them from the point’s dangerous shoals, swift currents, and shifting sandbars.
Visitors can climb 217 steps to the top of this maritime specimen for a breathtaking panoramic view of Island Beach, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island.
Lighthouse is not the only thing here, there are also a couple of activities that you can do while you are here
Maritime Forest Trail - The self-guided loop trail is 0.2 miles long, with forest, and migratory birds. Interpretive signs explain the birds and plants you may see during your stroll.
Fishing – If fishing is your game, be sure to bring your gear and head to the bulkhead near the picnic area
Bird watching, picnics, and more...
A few blocks away, you can visit the Barnegat Light Museum, which we didn’t have the opportunity to see but it’s still worth checking out
If you were picturing an area of a lighthouse with beautiful glistening blue-green water, then visiting the Barnegat Lighthouse should be a stop you should make down here in southern New Jersey.
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Went there with the family and friends. Hung out for a bit just to chill. Nice spot for pictures, fishing and just plain relaxing. We brought our dogs along. Unfortunately, they weren't permitted on the beach. Still, the spot is still worth going to.
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Barnegat Lighthouse is a great place to visit during the day for the secluded area it sits. There are picnic tables and a gazebo so be sure to bring a small meal/ snack but don’t forget to bring a trash bag because this area is a Bring In Bring Out spot. What you bring in the area must leave with you when you depart. Keep it clean. The lighthouse becomes a tranquil spot to visit at night. The waves crashing on the shoreline as the stars shine brightly in the perfect sky. I suggest to bring a blanket you could lay on the ground and look up at the stars and the lighthouse. You’ll have no choice but to let go of any negative emotion that may be weighing on one. And if your lucky, like I was, you’ll see a shooting star. All vehicles must be out of this area by 8pm. Enjoy ❤️
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The Barnegat lighthouse is a must-visit for those who appreciate the natural beauty of the coastal landscape. You can climb to the top and get a premium view of the inlet, the boat traffic and the fishermen who line up against the rocky seawall. There is a diner right outside the park, picnic benches and you can even get ice cream to convince the kids to tag along for the visit. Highly recommended!
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If you are traveling to LBI, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a must! The lighthouse itself is well preserved and quite a sight! To make it even more exciting, if you’re up for the challenge, you can walk up to the very top! The climb to the top, does take some perseverance, but there are a few spots to stop and rest off of the spiral staircase. The breeze and the view from above is breathtaking!
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Just beautiful! Open for climbing 9am -3pm. There is a $3 fee to climb the 217 steps, but it's worth it. The view is breathtaking. The parking is free, and is open till 8pm. Bathrooms are clean. Picnic tables and pavilions are available if you pack a lunch. Also, a maritime forest trail to walk. There are a few places nearby to eat, grab ice cream or mini golf .... It's definitely worth the trip.