Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, New Jersey
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
You’ve probably heard all about Long Beach Island. If you’ve never been there, it’s an 18-mile long barrier island sitting off the coast of New Jersey. It’s a popular summer destination—both for out-of-towners and for those who live here every summer. At the northern end of it sits Barnegat Lighthouse, inside a state park.
There’s plenty to enjoy on Long Beach Island itself, but Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is special for a lot of reasons. The point was long referred to as the single most important navigational point for ships heading into New York Harbor. There are other, more modern ways for ships to navigate around the point now, but that makes Barnegat Lighthouse a fun place to visit and learn about an important piece of maritime history.
If you’re visiting Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, obviously the key draw is the lighthouse itself. While it hasn’t been in service since 1927, it does still shine with a Coast Guard-approved light that can be seen from 22 miles away. It’s a popular site for tourists to visit as it’s such an iconic part of the state.
While you can enjoy the lighthouse from the outside, you should also plan to climb to the top. The park itself is free to enter, though a small fee of $1 per person lets you climb the stairs and get a panoramic view of the bay, beach, and the rest of the island. There are 217 steps up a spiral staircase to get to the top, and once you’re there, you’ll be standing 172 feet above sea level.
Shoreline fishing is a popular activity in the area. In fact, the bulkhead of the picnic area is one of the most popular spots for saltwater anglers to visit. It’s common to catch species like striped bass, black bass, winter flounder, summer flounder, weakfish, bluefish, and many more.
What’s great is that you don’t need to have a license in order to surf fish in New Jersey. While you do need to register, it’s free to do so and only takes a minute. That means you can pull up with your gear, walk straight to the bulkhead, and get your line in the water.
The seabirds love Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and birdwatchers love to spot them. Especially during spring and fall migrations, the bird population soars. That said, many birds winter here as well. There is a wide variety you can expect to see.
A patch of forest and access to the bay is what draws the many birds to this particular patch of the island. And while it does tend to be best viewing in the offseason, you’ll still see birds year-round. There’s even a checklist of many of the birds that come to the area. Some you can expect to see include:
There’s a lot to know and learn about the lighthouse, and there are two primary places you can do so. The Interpretive Center tells the story of the lighthouse, with photos, videos, and artifacts from history. It also shows the modern technology that has advanced in lighthouses. There’s also information about saving coastlines from erosion and other environmental issues that are instrumental in protecting lighthouses.
The Barnegat Lighthouse Historical Society’s Museum has more artifacts related to the lighthouse itself, including the original lens. The building itself is also an interesting piece of history, as a 106-year-old restored schoolhouse. There are also replicas of fishing industry-related artifacts that play a huge role in Barnegat’s economy and history.
While it’s not a terribly long trail and there’s no risk of getting lost, the Maritime Forest Trail is a beautiful walk through some rare land. There aren’t many remaining bits of maritime forest left on the island, but Barnegat Lighthouse State Park has some of it.
The trail is a fifth of a mile and listed as moderate. It’s a short loop but walks you through the forest and a wealth of Black Cherry, Sassafras, Eastern Red Cedar, and American Holly trees. There’s also the Inlet Walkway, a long concrete walkway that runs from the lighthouse to the southern tip of the inlet. You’ll enjoy the views of ships coming and going along the way.
Shady Pines doubles as both a mobile home community and an RV resort. Come stay with the locals and enjoy your stay with full hookups. You’ll also get Wi-Fi access and cable TV hookups, plus laundry and shower facilities. A swimming pool, playground, and game room are sure to keep the family happy. There’s also shuffleboard and horseshoes if that’s more your style.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy your RV at Cedar Creek Campground. A variety of hookup options, including no hookups at all, are available to you. A canoe and livery service is very nearby so it’s easy to get out on the water. A 16-mile trail runs from the campground for hiking or bicycling. There’s also a pool and fully stocked gift shop to grab a souvenir from your trip—or more necessities for your RV.
How could you not love a campground called Sea Pirate? There are lots of staying options here, with RV sites with full hookups included. Better yet, there are recreational opportunities right from the campground. Fresh and saltwater fishing, crabbing, canoe and kayak rentals, a swimming pool and arcade, and even more fun-filled activities are all part of the culture at Sea Pirate. Plus, there’s Queen Ann’s Galley – an onsite restaurant.
Located right on Long Beach Island, Long Beach RV Resort is a highly sought-after camping location. You’ll get full hookups for your RV plus Wi-Fi and cable TV. There are laundry facilities and a shower, plus an onsite store with ice and firewood. Then, there’s the fun stuff: shuffleboard, volleyball, horseshoes, mini golf, a swimming pool, basketball court, and a game room will all be sure to keep your family plenty busy when you’re looking at down time.
How could you not enjoy yourself at a campground with a racoon mascot? That’s Baker’s Acres Campground. Start with full RV hookups, of course, and keep going with a large swimming pool, a DVD and video library in case you’ve got a rainy day or a late night, a recently improved arcade, clean restrooms with hot showers, a playground, and a store onsite for all your necessities, and you’re looking at a fantastic stay at a fantastic campground.
There are two restaurants located inside the park. One offers delicious seafood options caught fresh from the bay, like numerous fish and shrimp. Of course, you’ll also find the New Jersey specialty that is clam chowder. The other spot offers ice cream, which is perfect on a hot day out by the water. Of course, you can always make a meal in your RV and pack it in with you to enjoy at a picnic area.
The seafood on Long Beach Island is everywhere, even back on the mainland. It’s fresh, delicious, and abundant. You’ll also find standard American fare, plus pizza and diner-style joints with burgers and breakfasts. You can pop in for breakfast at any of the many bakeries and coffee shops on the island or enjoy a gastropub style meal with a beer or two.
Long Beach Island is basically an 18-mile strip of great restaurants, and if you’re looking for seafood, you’re going to be happy. From lobster to clams to flounder to many, many kinds of fish, you’ll love the fresh seafood available here. And of course, if you’ve got people in your family who aren’t comfortable scarfing scallops, there are menus that are friendlier to them as well.