Barnegat Lighthouse visitor guide

Barnegat Lighthouse, known as Old Barney, marks the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County. Visitors come for the 217-step climb, inlet views, maritime history and the surrounding state park. NJDEP's pages show different seasonal details for tower and interpretive-center hours, so verify the exact schedule for your date before traveling.

Original New Jersey shore–inspired rendering; not a photograph of Barnegat Lighthouse.

WHERE

Barnegat Light
Ocean County

ADDRESS

208 Broadway & The Bay
Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

BEFORE YOU GO

Confirm current visitor details

Why Old Barney stands here

Barnegat Inlet was a vital change-of-course point for ships moving along the New Jersey coast. Shifting shoals and strong currents made navigation dangerous. The lighthouse was first lit in 1859; its original Fresnel lens was removed in 1927. NJDEP says the tower was illuminated again in 2009 with a new Coast Guard-approved lens, and the original lens is displayed nearby at the Barnegat Light Historical Society's Schoolhouse Museum.

Climb, views and alternatives

The tower has 217 steps. From the top, NJDEP describes views over Barnegat Bay, Island Beach and Long Beach Island. Weather can affect tower access, and children must be accompanied by an adult to climb. If the stairs are not suitable, ask about the live camera views shown in the park's Interpretive Center when that center is open.

What else is in the state park?

The park has a self-guided maritime forest trail, inlet-side picnic spots, birdwatching and fishing. The interpretive displays explain coastal change and the lighthouse's working life. These features have their own seasonal or site rules; the official Barnegat Lighthouse State Park page is the best place to check current access.

Address and a nearby plan

NJDEP lists the park at 208 Broadway & The Bay, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006. Confirm parking and tower hours before heading to the island. Use the Ocean County guide for nearby towns and places, or compare the climb with Cape May Lighthouse farther south.

Good to know before you go

How many steps are in Barnegat Lighthouse?

NJDEP lists 217 steps to the top of the lighthouse.

Is Barnegat Lighthouse open year-round?

NJDEP's current pages include different seasonal details for the tower and interpretive center. Verify the schedule with the park before your visit, especially outside summer.

Can I enjoy the park without climbing?

Yes. The park includes inlet views, a maritime forest trail and other outdoor areas. Ask whether the Interpretive Center and its camera views are open on your visit date.

Is there an entrance fee?

NJDEP lists no general state-park entrance fee, while tower admission information can vary by season. Check the current operator page before you go.

Where is the original lighthouse lens?

NJDEP says the original Fresnel lens is displayed at the nearby Barnegat Light Historical Society's Schoolhouse Museum. Check that museum's own schedule before adding it to your day.

Next step: Verify tower hours, weather conditions and any fees on the official NJDEP park page. Source and visitor details checked October 11, 2026. The image is an original conceptual rendering, not a photograph of the exact lighthouse.