Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is located on the northern tip of
Long Beach Island in
Ocean County
Ocean County is a county located along the Jersey Shore in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Its county seat is Toms River.[New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...]
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
. The area where the lighthouse stands was regarded as one of the most important navigational points for ships bound to and from
New York Harbor
New York Harbor is at the mouth of the Hudson River where it empties into New York Bay near the East River tidal estuary, and then into the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the United States. It is one of the largest natural harbors in ...
. The ships were dependent upon the
Barnegat Lighthouse to avoid the shoals extending from the shoreline. The fast currents, shifting sandbars, and offshore shoals challenged sailors. The park is included as a maritime site on the
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. The park is operated and maintained by the
New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
In the state of New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry is an administrative division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In its most visible role, the Division is directly responsible for the management and ...
.
Barnegat Lighthouse
The lighthouse is a popular tourist site due to its view of the surrounding areas. The lighthouse is open from
Memorial Day
Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monda ...
to
Labor Day
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United St ...
(weather permitting).
Trails
*The Maritime Forest Trail is a 1/5-mile long, self-guided loop trail through maritime forest on Long Beach Island. The trail is classified as easy to moderate.
Historical sites
The Barnegat Lighthouse Interpretive Center is open to those wishing to learn the history and environment surrounding the Barnegat Lighthouse.
References
Website for the Barnegat Lighthouse State Parkfrom the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is a government agency in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is responsible for managing the state's natural resources and addressing issues related to pollution. NJDEP now has a staff ...
(NJDEP)
National Park Service's website for The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route
{{authority control
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Parks in Ocean County, New Jersey
State parks of New Jersey
IUCN Category III