Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

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Last Updated: December 9, 2025

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a popular destination located in the state of New Jersey.


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Summary

The park is home to the historic Barnegat Lighthouse, which has been an iconic landmark since 1859. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse for breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The park also has a beach area, picnic facilities, fishing opportunities, and a visitor center.

One of the main reasons to visit Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is to see the lighthouse itself. The lighthouse is open to the public for climbing, and visitors can explore the keeper's quarters and learn about the history of the area. The park's beach area is also a popular attraction, with miles of sandy shoreline and opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Fishing is another popular activity, with opportunities to catch striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and other species.

Interesting facts about the area include that the lighthouse was originally powered by kerosene and was later converted to electricity. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including ospreys, foxes, and migratory birds.

The best time of year to visit Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the beauty of the area during any season.

Overall, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a must-visit destination in New Jersey, offering history, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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