The Annual New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge is This Weekend!

Each fall, the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey invites locals and visitors on a road trip along the state’s beautiful coastline. Held every year on the third weekend of October, this two-day event encourages participants to visit lighthouses, life-saving stations, and museums — all while learning about New Jersey’s maritime history and enjoying scenic views from shore to shore.

The 2026 Lighthouse Challenge takes place on October 17 and 18. Sites are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, with a few offering special night climbs on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Special Event: This year, the Lighthouse Challenge will celebrate our country’s 250th birthday and honor Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the only New Jersey lighthouse that stood during the Revolution. This year’s souvenir will be a book full of Revolution stories from the site of, or near, present-day lighthouses, lifesaving stations, or museums. You’ll pick up a sticker at each stop to complete the page.

The Lighthouse Challenge began over 20 years ago to celebrate and preserve New Jersey’s historic beacons. The idea is simple: spend a weekend traveling across the state, stopping at each lighthouse or maritime site to collect a small souvenir stamp. Those who visit every stop by the end of the weekend earn a completion sticker and the chance to win fun prizes.

The object is to visit all the sites on the Challenge. The Challenge includes 11 lighthouse sites, 4 lifesaving stations, and 1 museum. That’s 16 sites, but only 15 stops, since one stop includes two lighthouse sites. You have from 8 am on Saturday until 6 pm on Sunday to complete the Challenge. Sites are open from 8 am to 6 pm both days, with three sites (Tinicum, Tuckerton, and Twin Lights) offering night climbs from 6 to 8 pm on Saturday only.

You can start and finish at any site, so you can plan your own route.  A $10 registration fee at your first stop covers a souvenir and the stamp booklet. Some sites offer optional lighthouse climbs for an extra fee, but you don’t need to climb to complete the challenge.

For a full map of the Lighthouse locations, click here.

Each stop offers its own charm — from sweeping coastal views and historic exhibits to photo ops and gift shops. Some sites even host special activities and snacks for visitors during the Challenge weekend.

New since last year is the Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station, located just south of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in the Gateway National Recreation Area. This new stop is easy to visit, and it also features a shared gift shop for both the life-saving station and the lighthouse—perfect for picking up souvenirs while you’re there.

A few locations will have special instructions this year. For example, East Point Lighthouse and some others may have limited access to their buildings, but visitors can still collect their stamps nearby. Travelers are encouraged to check updates before hitting the road and plan their routes carefully.

The Lighthouse Challenge isn’t just a fun weekend road trip — it helps raise money and awareness for the ongoing care of these historic landmarks. Registration and donations fund restoration, maintenance, and educational programs that keep New Jersey’s maritime history alive.