Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey

important updates due to gov't shutdown

Sandy Hook and Finns Point Lights are affected!

Sandy Hook: Due to the government shut down, all Sandy Hook park employees, with the exception of those who are responsible for protecting "life and property," have been furloughed. This means that the lighthouse and keepers quarters will not be open to the public, although you can still visit the grounds. Unfortunately, there will be no one there to take your registration fee and give you the souvenir calendar. The Spermaceti Lifesaving Station, however, is operated by the Sandy Hook Foundation, the nonprofit partner to the National Park Service at Sandy Hook.. Since they are an independent organization that does not depend on federal funding, they will be open and you will be able to register there, get your calendar and the stickers for both Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station at that one stop. The Lifesaving Station is located on Hartshorne Drive, which is the road to the lighthouse, between parking lots D & E. Please park in Lot D. You will not have to make the trek to the lighthouse unless you want to. While we are hopeful that the shutdown will be resolved soon and the buildings reopened, we are not optimistic that it will be in time for the Challenge.

Finns Point: Finns Point Light is also affected by the government shutdown since it is part of Supawna/Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and refuge employees have been furloughed. The light and small attendant building will also be closed unless the shutdown ends before this weekend. Fortunately, volunteers from the Friends of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, a non profit partner of the refuge, will be hosting Challenge participants and you will be able to check in directly across the road from the Finns Point Light. You can park in the parking lot of the lighthouse or along the shoulder of the road.

We appreciate the efforts of these two non profits who have stepped up to cover these two sites.

two alerts for this year's challenge

East Point Lighthouse and the Delaware Bay Lights

East Point Lighthouse was closed last fall by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection in a dispute over the lease. As a result, you can visit the lighthouse grounds, but it will not be open to go inside. To get your stamps for the lighthouse and Bay lights, you will need to go to Lee Chester Hall at 548 Main St, Leesburg. New directions are on the Hours & Directions page.

Saturday in Manasquan

On Saturday, there is a benefit run in Manasquan. It interferes with the route that's on Google Maps and Mapquest to get to the Squan Lifesaving Station. Since there is only one road to the lifesaving station, and the race uses that road, there is no alternative route. The race closes the road from 10 am to noon. The race organizers have asked the police to assist Challenge participants in getting to the station, but our recommendation is to just avoid the area during those hours. If that affects your planned route, during those hours only, you will be able to get a Squan sticker at Sea Girt.

About the lighthouse challenge

The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey is an annual event that takes place the third weekend of October each year. The challenge is to visit 11 lighthouse sites, 4 lifesaving stations, and 1 museum over the two day weekend. The challenge route covers the Atlantic Coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May and the Delaware Bay and River Coast from Cape May to Paulsboro. Take the challenge and learn more about these historic treasures of New Jersey. A small registration fee of $10 enables you to collect a souvenir from each site. Please join us for a fun family weekend and explore our website for more information.