When thinking of New Jersey, images of beautiful shoreline are some of the first visuals to come to mind for most people. While these views have changed somewhat over the past 250 years, thanks to development and advancement, some sights have remained unchanged. One such sight is that of the original maritime GPS — the lighthouse. There are numerous lighthouses up and down the Atlantic Coast of the United States, and the Barnegat Lighthouse is worth a visit.
Getting to the park is straightforward. There is a free parking lot within a short, 5-minute walk from the park. There are 217 steps to get to the top of this historical landmark. A small fee of $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6 to 11 is charged at a little office inside the entrance of the tower. The lighthouse is open for climbing from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Along the way to the top, there are numerous landings to catch your breath that are adorned with fun historical fact posters about the Barnegat Lighthouse and its significance as a navigational aid since its construction. Once you reach the top, there is a fantastic 360-degree view of not only the small bay and Atlantic Ocean, but also of the connected state park.
After descending the 217 steps, there is more to see in the park. There is a short, easy trail through a wooded area of the park with some more historical facts on display. Also, there is a pier that extends allowing for bird watching and fishing. On the other side of the lighthouse are gazebos and a beach for picnicking and relaxing as well as a small free museum with a gift shop by the free parking lot. Restrooms are located nearby. Potential visitors should know that there are no trash cans located in the park and there is a carry-in/carry-out policy.
Comments
Sign In and share them.