Today's the first time I've ever been aware that you could climb up the lighthouse. There's a spiral staircase. It is pretty tight when somebody else is trying to come down when you're going up... But you can have that little moment of excitement looking at the amazing view from on top of the world. What a lovely place !! Nice clean park read more

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Love this lighthouse. I always look forward to going off season when it's less busy and super enjoyable. The little trails they have are a lot of fun and a great way to get some steps in. The gift shop is fabulous - got our little lighthouse ornament for our Christmas tree there. The views are amazing from the lighthouse but also from around it. If you can't or just don't want to climb it, the views from around the end of the island are gorgeous. Lots of benches, great parking and an overall must when you're in LBI. read more

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I've been here a few times over the years and it's always a great experience to do every once in a while. It is well kept and it's very enjoyable climbing up to the top for a 360 view in season. The walkway is well kept, but has tons of fisherman on it. I enjoy walking along the trail and the rocks there by the lighthouse. read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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Barnegat Lighthouse on the northern tip on Long Beach Island, NJ, was in operation from 1859 to protect maritime shipping out of New York Harbor from the shoals and rough surf that are a permanent feature of Barnegat Inlet. Originally only 40 feet tall, it has been enlarged (172 feet) and relocated south of the first sight due to ocean erosion that continually eats away at the spit of land that juts out into the inlet. Several jetties have been built over the years attempting to slow the inevitable work of nature. The lights went out in 1927 when the tower was considered insufficient to warn ships. Instead, a Barnegat Lightship was anchored 8 nautical miles off the coast. A much weaker gas light was installed for a short time before a stronger 250-watt bulb arrived. Still, until 1944 when Old Barney was finally deactivated it played second fiddle to the ship at sea. Barnegat City renamed itself Barnegat Light Borough in 1948. In 1957 the area around this historic site was declared a state park. The old light ship was decommissioned and removed from service in 1969. The lighthouse came full circle when it began renovation in 1988 with a new jetty and reopened in 1991. A new modern light system was put in place in 2008 and opened again to the public on 1/1/2009, its 150th anniversary. Today it is both an historic structure and a tourist attraction that draws thousands of people to LBI every year. It is both a beacon of light for marine transportation and a towering inspiration for the human spirit. read more

This place always brings me back to my childhood and relaxes me. I like to stop by just to take in the beauty. I've been to the top many times but did not this time. Was very windy but beautiful as usual! read more

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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. read more

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What an excellent state park that you must visit if you ever come to LBI. The lighthouse is usually open from 9am - 3pm every day (I believe until like late october for free!) and a really nice tour guide was willing to let us up right at 3 even though they were just getting ready to close. Also some great spots to fish here and a few trails that you can walk on. Only downside is that there is not a lot of shoreside/beach area that you can immediately access. Mostly rocks that you can stand and fish on. If you do end up going to the lighthouse, be prepared to walk up around 13 flights of stairs! (217 steps). Definitely a work out if you are as... out of shape as I am... read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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It was nice to see the Barnegat Lighthouse that I hadn't been too in a lot of years. There is an interpretive center where you can learn the history of it. The area is nice with walking paths. My friend climbed to the top but I did not. I walked along the path by the water and sat for awhile on the bench to enjoy the breeze. There were some people fishing off the rocks there and some sitting on the beach. It's a pleasant area to spend some time. read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - The lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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Hey, its a lighthouse like so many others. What makes this place so special is that next to longwood gardens, this was my mom's favorite place on earth. What would've been her 78th birthday is coming up next week, and since I don't visit graves, I drove here. It's been 27 years since she went away, but she was here! Still as beautiful and peaceful as I remember as a child read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Great little spot. Very cheap to get into the lighthouse and the view at the top is lovely. There's a fun little museum to check out as well as a short trail. Can get pretty busy read more

I absolutely love it here! It's breathtakingly beautiful, and I can't wait to explore more. This is definitely a must-see destination!

Love coming here for a nice walk around the trail. Peaceful area with some nice nature scenes to see. read more

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We just love LBI and the Northern end (Old Barney) in particular. We climbed to the top of Old Barney last weekend and it was magical - great views and a gorgeous spring day in late April. You gotta visit here at least once in your lifetime. Wonderful place to vacation or live! read more

Went here with my family on Sunday June 9th 2024, as part of our long beach vacation. The Barnegat Lighthouse, known as Old Barney! is located on the far north end of the island, and it is a beautiful place. First off, I like that you can see it from the parking lot where one parks their car to head into the musuem, and the grounds. The musuem has history on the lighthouse, and i also liked that there was a film playing that was telling us about the history of the lighthouse. We learned about the lighthouse keepers, which is an interesting part of history. Cause in a way, the lighthouse keepers, and their assistants are early forms of our coast guard if one really thinks about it. Then, we walked to the lighthouse. It was closing soon, so we didn't go up the steps, but from what i see here, the view up there is gorgeous. one can even just lay on the beach and enjoy the sun. beautiful grounds. Highly recommend to stop here! read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Lighthouse, with lighthouse keeper statue. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

BARNEGAT LIGHT: on the northern edge of Long Beach Island is Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, featuring "Old Barney," an over 150 year old lighthouse! Leashed dogs are allowed to join you on the property (see official rules below). It was so cool to bring Brie to a place listed on the National Register of Historic Places! The 40-foot tall lighthouse was crucial to guiding sailors away from big groups of fish on the coastline, sandbars, and ocean currents. The park is open daily, weather permitting, and there is no cost to walk the property. There is a short forest trail to see various trees and plant life. Leashed dogs are also allowed on the beach area from 9/16-3/31, but not on the walkway or in the buildings. There is a beautiful view of the inlet and ocean from the beach! As of January 2021: "Pets are not permitted on the beach from April 1st through September 15th to help protect endangered bird species during nesting season. They must be on a leash (maximum length - 6 feet) and you must clean up after your pet." From our experience, dogs are also not allowed on the walkway or inside the lighthouse and interpretive center. read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Great lighthouse on a fun island. The museum is also a must see- it's run by volunteers

Beautiful spot. Had a nice walk by the water with some beautiful views and enjoyed the historic light house. Quintessential New Jersey. Super clean and cared for read more

Bangin' tall Barnegat Lighthouse was super duper cool! It was under construction when we were in the area but we got to see the workers taking down the major metal scaffold which was used and set up because the lighthouse needed a new MASSIVELY POWERFUL new bulb from Europe. It was at the time also a requirement to have a new and updated lightning rod be installed. The Barnegat light is brick and stands with its door to the North. At the very top is a metal and glass encased turning bulb that illuminates these New Jersey and New York shores are night. It just needs a 20-foot Yankees Empire logo, in my humble opinion. A large and wide storm/boardwalk loops around the lighthouse and there are trails for bikes to ride. Walking paths. Birds. Bathrooms. There is a building with information and pamphlets which on our outing was also shuttered and closed (it may have been the early off-season..)! This is a perfect photo-spot for those with a lens or a great sense of the outdoors and beaches. It was cold and very windy. Total must visit and see when in the Barnegat Township strip: SEE AND WALK Barnegat Light! Review: 5 read more

This was a great spot for a day trip from Pennsylvania! We went to see some shore birds, but ended up having a great time all around. Here's what I love: 1. FREE PARKING!! There's a big parking lot with bathrooms, and even more street parking. 2. Did I mention the bathrooms? 3. It's beautiful. There's a lighthouse, picnic benches, and lots of jetty for you to walk. 4. You can climb rocks or walk on the beach. No matter how adventurous you can or want to be, you'll be able to do something here. We were able to see quite a few "lifer" birds during our Saturday here, as well as a dead beached whale that was attracting quite a scene. Our trip to Barnegat Light State Park was definitely very cool. I just wish the lighthouse would have been open for us to ascend. read more

I'm so very lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful area. Not only is this one of the nicest and largest lighthouse's I've seen and climbed. But a beautiful nature trail or a pathway along the water to stroll. When I was little, yup smaller! My dad and I would pick out a special kite and fly it on LBI kite day when hundreds of people enjoy the beautiful kite's. Now that I have kids they enjoy this area for different reasons but they still find it's beauty! read more

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Barnegat offers a beautiful view, great exercise and tid bits of history that are interesting even to the non-history lover in me. The climb up isn't too bad, it gives an excuse to get some well-deserved ice cream afterwards! Photographers- you will have a ball capturing shots from the gorgeous grounds below all the way up to the top. read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Before the climb! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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We took a quick trip to LBI for a Kite Festival and were lucky enough to get some time to check out the Barnegat Lighthouse. Located on the northern of the island, the Lighthouse is accompanied by a big park that offers beautiful views of the water from ground level. Plenty of space to spread out and even have a picnic at one of their tables which are under a shaded area. There is also a small museum with restrooms for visitors. The parking lot is fairly big and on an off season day, there was plenty of parking. The climb to the top is narrow as expected but very much worth the 200+ steps. There are plenty of rest steps along the way to the top too allow for a few extra breaths or to allow others by. Oh and did i mention the price, thats because there is none. All of this was free of charge. A great way to spend a beautiful day seeing the view from the top. read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Views from the top - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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Updating the review after I went inside the lighthouse this time. The views from the top are spectacular. You can see all around including Island Beach State Park and Barnegat inlet. The water below you is so clear that you can see the sandbars, the seaweed and the rocks underneath the water. Beware that it is very windy at the top, even on a hot 90 degree day. There are 217 steps to get up to the top and the stairs are very narrow. Air is limited. Good luck if you are going up while another group is coming down. Going up was strenuous and coming down was....steep and scary. There is a resting spot every few steps. read more

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Amazing place to explore From Barnegat Bay , inlet and down to Atlantic Ocean Many wonders await there read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Barnegat Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

A really nice staple in Long Beach Island. You pay $3 and get ready to go up 200 steps to get to the top. As the pictures show it is definitely well worth it and you get a nice breeze. What I also like is while you are running up you can take breaks and read a little about the history of the light house and LBI! Beautiful sight and a must see if you have sometime to kill in LBI! Make sure you walk the jetty as well! read more

We stayed nearby the lighthouse (biking distance) but we didn't have an opportunity to go up. Nearby there are areas to catch the sunset but best of all it's relatively quiet the nights we stopped by. You can catch good views if you go up (based on someone who went) and it's relatively inexpensive to do so. Worth a stop if you're in the area. ENJOY! read more

One of my favorite spots on the Jersey Shore but are you ever going to open it again to go in??? Been closed for like 2-3 years, seriously NJ??? Let us enjoy the awesomeness of it!! read more

Barnegat Light is one of the better gems on the more than 100 miles of the fantastic Jersey Shore. It stands above the Barnegat Inlet, one of the strongest on the coast going from Barnegat Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. Barnegat Light is one of the most beautiful lighthouses still standing with its red and white exterior. Visitors are encouraged to walk up the winding stairs to the top for magnificent views of Long Beach Island to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the bay and mainland to the west and Island Beach State Park to the north. Barnegat Light Park has plenty of room for inlet fishermen, a promenade with benches all along the inlet, tables and benches for picnicking, a trail tour of what the site looked like before it was developed with all natural floral and fauna, a visitors area with a history of the lighthouse and its surroundings over the years, several stopping points all along the walks with descriptions of the island's birds, native fishes, natural trees, bushes and shrubs, and results of the weather conditions. You can also get an "I Climbed Barney" certificate for $1 in the welcome center. Speaking of climbing, this one clocks in at 217 steps and 172 feet so make sure you bring the oxygen tank along with the defibrillator paddles because this one is a hell of a hike to the top. There are also special events during the year including multiple full moon night climbs and participation in the NJ Lighthouse Challenge. If you go, the park itself is open daily from 8am-6pm while the Lighthouse itself is open daily from 10am-4:30pm. The Barnegat Lighthouse Interpretive Center is open daily between Memorial Day and Labor daily with weekend only hours extending into October. There is a $3 fee per person to enter the lighthouse from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Children ages 6 to 11 are $1 and children ages 5 and under are free but between Labor Day and Memorial Day the price is very reasonable at free. Also worth noting is the Barnegat Lighthouse Museum is only a few blocks away from 'Ol Barney and it houses the original first order 1000-plate lens along with the beautiful Edith Duff Gwinn Garden. read more

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Beautiful area and picturesque lighthouse. Its nice to bring family and kids and watch the boats go by in the inlet.

First visit to LBI - HAD to make sure to climb this light! Very nice grounds & visitor center. Great views from the top! There are also a few restaurants, shops within walking distance of the park entrance. If you like lighthouses & state parks - this is a must! read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Lighthouse Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Beautiful lighthouse with extended walkway out to the jetty. Andy's by the Light store has great classic souvenirs. read more

Great visitor stop to climb up and take in the view of Barnegat Light and the bay and ocean. Check before you go because they're renovating it and it may not be open right now read more

My family and I visit here every year! It is such a nice experience! The views are amazing top and bottom ! There are great pic ops of the beach, ocean ,bay and the path. We didn't mind paying the $ to climb up Old Barney because we know it is going to be maintained and it did beautifully maintained! The views are plentiful from the top! The wind is an amazing feeling on your skin as your standing and looking out on this gorgeous ocean!! It makes,us so small in this big world!! I love experiences like this ,it takes me out of my tiny home and let's me look out onto our big home... the earth!! This was a lovely place and we had a fun time and we will be back next year! read more

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They make a very good burger BUT the prime rib special is TERRIBLE

We had an amazing experience with the family coming here! 217 Steps to the top. 3$ entrance fee and Free parking. BEAUTIFUL VIEWS from the top of the lighthouse. Nice walkway at the bottom. read more

If you are already down LBI stop by Old Barney for a visit. It's free and pretty well kept. Was once regarded as the most crucial change of course points for maritime vessels traveling the coastline. Thanks to the non-profit group the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse they were able to restore it and get it re-illuminated again (Jan 1, 2009) 150 years after the first time it was lit. From Memorial Day through Labor Day there is a small fee ($3 for adult, $1 Children 6-11, under 5 free) but is free throughout the rest of the year. Just a heads up though, it is a 217 step climb to the top. There are little rest platforms every 2-3 sets of stairs though so it's not bad. read more

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MY THIGHS ARE BURNING Loved the Barnegat lighthouse. Not only do you get beautiful sweeping view of LBI, you also get a great workout climbing those 217 steps. It would also be a great place to have a picnic by the water. read more

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Put into commission in 1835 - the original lighthouse fell into the ocean, but the light atop it had already been moved. The structure it stands on today was built in 1859 and is the 2nd tallest lighthouse in the US. Barnegat Lighthouse is now a State Park and you can go to the top and see great views of the Atlantic ocean - bay side and beach side. Perfect for some nice vacation photos. The park area is nice to walk around, and you can go onto the beach a little further away. read more

Barnegat Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

For the past 17 years I've made the journey to this location at least once yearly. I can tell you in that in the nearly two decade time span that not much has changed here, which is a good thing. When the lighthouse is open you should definitely take a walk to the top. While a tall building, it isn't a huge building, so it won't make your horrendously tired and worn out to do it. The top awards you a nice view of the surrounding area, and also if you're lucky a cool breeze for your aerobic efforts. You'll see some nice views if you choose to walk down the beach on this strip of land. Small pools of water begin to build on the beach during high tide, being a great place to let smaller children play. Because of the location of this strip of land, you can see a lot of interesting marine animals. I've seen starfish, a multitude of crabs including horseshoe crabs, and varying species of seagulls and fish. There is a lot of land here roped off for the endangered turns and piping plovers, but be aware that those birds are bold and will come close to humans anyway. My only gripe is that there is no life guard on the beach, so forget any real swimming here. However the beauty and historical significance of this area is still worth the trip. A beautiful place, my hope is that it will remain unchanged for many years to come. read more

Open from 10:30 to 4:30 daily, $3 adults, $1 ages 6-11. The 217 steps get you 172 feet above sea level with an awesome view. Even with a lot of families, the wait was maybe 15 minutes to get in. Superb views from the top with quite a breeze! Make sure you are in shape to climb the narrow winding steps. People going up and down at the same time can be squishy. Nice that there are picnic benches and table around, and you can watch people fishing. read more