Barnegat Lighthouse and Park

Last Updated on February 22, 2020 by Christopher G Mendla

A visit to the Barnegat Lighthouse and Park is a great way to spend a day. The Barnegat Lighthouse was built in 1855. It was designed by the Union Army General George “Snapping Turtle” Meade. Old Barney stands 165 feet high.

Visitors can enjoy the park and, when open, walk to the top of the lighthouse. The lighthouse is closed during high winds and storms. There is a small nature interpretive center with the history of the lighthouse and information about the flowers and fauna of the park.

The Original Fresnel lens is on display at the Barnegat Light Museum. A keeper’s house existed at one time but was washed into the sea. You can see in in an aerial view of Barnegat Light from 1920.

Barnegat Lighthouse with moon Barnegat Lighthouse Old engraving Barnegat Light at Sunset Barnegat Lighthouse over the dunes

You can walk on a concrete path over the Jetty to a point. You can then walk on the Jetty rocks to the end of the Jetty. The Jetty is a popular spot for fishing and boat-watching.

Jetty at Barnegat Lighthouse Park Barnegat Lighthouse from the jetty walkway

Barnegat Inlet has traditionally been one of the most dangerous inlets along the New Jersey Coast. The New Jersey Maritime Museum has a database and maps of shipwrecks along the coast which shows the number of wrecks in the area.

Barnegat Inlet as seen from the Barnegat Lighthouse

The view from the top of the lighthouse is spectacular. If you go, bring binoculars.

Boat in Barnegat Inlet as seen from the Barnegat Lighthouse Barnegat Lighthouse from the Jetty