Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey State Park Service

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Absecon Lighthouse Overview

Ascend the 228 steps of NJ’s tallest lighthouse and enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic City skyline and an up-close and personal encounter with the original first-order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857.

Absecon is New Jersey's tallest lighthouse and the country's third tallest masonry lighthouse.  The two-acre property features outdoor exhibits, a Keeper's Cottage, museum, gift shop and ample free parking.  Many special events are held throughout the year, including special group tours and sleepover opportunities.

Absecon Lighthouse presents many annual events and programs throughout the year, including Keeper Sleeper Overnights (program fee may apply) which run all year on Saturdays from 7:30pm until 9:30am the following morning. This program is ideal for Boy and Girl Scouts and youth groups ages 6 – 17 and fulfills requirements for Brownie Lighthouse Try-It, Junior Badge & Cadet IPP.  Other annual events include National Lighthouse Day where kids climb free and the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey which occurs in October.

Facilities for People with Disabilities
We encourage people with disabilities who require special considerations to contact the historic site / park at the phone number listed in the general information on the home page of the historic site / park. The staff will assist with arrangements. Text telephone (TT) users, please call the NJ Relay Services at (800) 852-7899.
 
For the Comfort and Enjoyment of All
This historic site / park is part of the NJ State Park system and your cooperation with the following will help ensure the survival of the museum collections, historic structures & features and surrounding property for the enjoyment and education of future generations!

  • Keep your historic site / park and surrounding property clean and green! Protect this site by taking your trash with you. Whatever you carry into the site, plan on carrying it out too. Bring a bag or two for trash, recycling and cleaning up after your pet. There are no trash receptacles at this site. Thank you!
  • No Smoking on NJ State Park Service Property. Pursuant to N.J.P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-56)
  • Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at state historic sites [ N.J.A.C. 7:2-2.6]
  • The collection or removal of any object from State Park property is prohibited without written permission from the Superintendent.
  • Use of metal detecting devices on or unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) on or over the property is not permitted without a special use permit (SUP) from the State historic site / park.
  • Commercial photography is not permitted on the property without a special use permit (SUP) from the historic site / park.
  • Interior photography, videotaping or audio taping are not permitted in the historic structure / visitor center / museum, except by prior written permission and for educational purposes only.
  • Non-commercial photography is permitted on the property (outside), but please help preserve the historic site / park and any surrounding property by not attaching anything to, climbing or sitting on historic structures and features or disturbing any plants, wild or cultivated. Photography may not interfere with other visitors to the historic site / park or impede site operations.
  • Food and beverages; pets/animals, except for service animals, are not permitted in the historic structure / visitor center / museum.
  • Please refrain from touching objects/furnishings in and building components of historic structures and museums, except where invited to do so by staff.

Please contact this historic site / park with specific inquiries about any of these restrictions, as there may be some variations at this specific historic site / park.

Related Links

AbseaconLighthouse.org
Bass River State Forest

General

Phone Number
609-449-1360

Address
31 South Rhode Island Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08491

Historic Site Hours

Hours
September – June: Thursday – Monday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Last Climb 3:30 p.m.)
July – August: Open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Last Climb 4:30 p.m.), Thursdays until 8:00 p.m. (Last Climb 7:30 p.m.)

Park Fees

Entrance Fee Adults $10, Seniors (65+) / College Students (with ID) $9, Children $6, AC Residents (with ID) $5

Other Related Fees
Map / Directions

GPS Coordinates
39.36643, -74.41364