Overview
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States. It is located at the northern end of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in the Highlands. Amazingly well-preserved, this unique octagonal tower dates back to the 18th century and has been in service since 1764. Except for being darkened during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the beacon has been operating ever since.
Today the National Park Service preserves the tower and the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light. The National Park Service offers tours of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse on a seasonal basis. Visitors must be accompanied by a park ranger to climb the 95 stairs and 9 rung ladder to the top of the lighthouse. To join a tour, visitors must be at least 48" tall and sign up in person at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center on the day of the tour. The National Park Service encourages visitors to call the Sandy Hook Visitor Center directly to learn about tour times and seasonal closures.
The lighthouse is on the grounds of Fort Hancock and is just one of the unbeatable tourist attractions at Sandy Hook. The peninsula also boasts a spectacular holly forest, excellent surf fishing, hiking, beaches, trails, salt marshes, more than 300 species of birds and other historical sites.
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