Park hours vary by season:

• The gates always open at 8:00 AM.
• The gates close at: 4:00 PM November - April
• 6:00 pm in May
• 10:00 pm - Memorial Day (May) - Sept.
• 6:00 pm in Oct.

The Lighthouse is open

• 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM May through October for a nominal fee of $1.00.
• From November through April the Lighthouse is open on Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am -3:30 pm with no charge.

The Lighthouse is open until 9:30 PM on selected evenings during the summer. Check the schedule available at the park office and the lighthouse.

Tables are located along Barnegat Inlet where visitors can picnic, relax and observe the waterway. The picnic area and restrooms are accessible to disabled persons. The area is open to picnicners who enjoy sunbathing or fishing along the jetty. Fires and stoves are not permitted.

     Salt water anglers have access to the bulkhead along the picnic area. On top of the south jetty, a 1033 feet long concrete walkway with handrails provides fishing opportunities for disabled persons. Salt water fishing is subject to New Jersey's Fish, Game and Wildlife laws; prior knowledge of these laws will make your fishing experience more enjoyable.

     Anglers can enjoy catching striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, summer flounder (fluke) but especially tautog (Blackfish), winter flounder and blackseabass.

     Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is an excellent area to observe many species of birds during the spring and the fall migrations. The Park is adjacent to an important nesting area for three species of rare shorebirds. A New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife plan provides seasonal fencing of critical nesting areas on the beach. These will provide the protection of certain endangered beach nesting birds, and opportunities for observation and photography of least ferns, piping plover, black skimmers, etc.

     Pets are prohibited on the beach during bird nesting season April 1 through August 15. Pets must be leashed at all times, 6" maximum leash length in other park locations.