Cape Henry Lighthouse
More actions
Location
Cape Henry, Virginia Beach
Built
1792
Managed by
Preservation Virginia
Access
Timed tours; base restrictions apply
At the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, Cape Henry Lighthouse brings together coastal scenery and early U.S. history. The original stone tower was completed in 1792 as a federally funded public works project; today, Preservation Virginia offers guided visits that include a lighthouse climb and a walking tour of the historic site.[1]
This is not a drop-in stop: the lighthouse is within Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story, and civilian visits are subject to advance reservations and base security requirements. Check Preservation Virginia’s current visitor instructions before setting out. For travelers following Virginia’s history-and-coast appeal, the lighthouse makes a distinctive stop in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[2]
Plan a trip to Cape Henry Lighthouse
Why visit Cape Henry Lighthouse?
The appeal is the combination of a working-scale historic structure, a guided account of the cape, and the setting at the mouth of the bay. The original lighthouse is widely described by its steward as the first federally funded public works project of the new United States government.[3]
A visit also puts the tower in context: nearby Cape Henry is the landing place associated with the English colonists’ arrival in 1607. The National Park Service interprets the lighthouse and the neighboring Cape Henry Memorial as separate parts of this historic landscape.[4]
Start here
Begin with the access rules, not the drive. Preservation Virginia’s current page describes timed tours and explains the identification and security steps that apply to civilian visitors without existing base access. Requirements can change, so confirm them directly before purchasing or traveling.[5]
The tour includes a climb of at least 79 stairs and roughly three-quarters of a mile of walking, mostly on sidewalks and paved roads. Preservation Virginia states that climbers must be at least 42 inches tall; check its page for current accessibility and weather-related restrictions.[6]
What to see and do
Climb the original lighthouse
Take in the stone tower from inside and climb its stairs when conditions and tour operations allow. Confirm current climbing restrictions before booking.
Join the guided site tour
Hear an interpreter-led account of Cape Henry and its place in Virginia’s coastal history. The scheduled tour includes a walking portion.
Look for the second lighthouse
The black-and-white-striped Cape Henry Lighthouse was built in 1881. It is a separate, later tower and is not open to the public, according to Preservation Virginia.
Explore the First Landing story
Learn how the lighthouse site relates to the English colonists’ 1607 landing at Cape Henry and the nearby memorial landscape.
Take in the coastal setting
The site stands near the meeting of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast. Follow staff directions and remain within areas open to visitors on the military installation.
History and significance
Congress authorized a lighthouse at Cape Henry in 1789, and the first tower was completed in 1792. Built of Aquia sandstone, it helped guide maritime traffic at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The National Park Service identifies it as the first lighthouse authorized by the new federal government.[7]
The original tower served for nearly a century. A new lighthouse was constructed in 1881, and the older structure became a landmark of both navigation and the early federal government. Preservation Virginia has stewarded the old lighthouse since it was deeded the lighthouse and surrounding land in 1930.[8]
Cape Henry’s significance reaches beyond the towers. The cape is associated with the English colonists’ first landing in Virginia in 1607, before their journey upriver to establish Jamestown. The National Park Service’s Cape Henry Memorial commemorates that landing nearby.[9]
Planning a visit
- Reserve ahead: Tours are timed, and advance reservations are recommended by Preservation Virginia. Verify current tour availability, admission, and cancellation information on its official site.[10]
- Prepare for base screening: Visitors without base access must follow the current security process. Preservation Virginia lists advance submission of a SECNAV 5512 form for civilian adults and identification requirements; check the official instructions for your party before booking.[11]
- Plan for a climb and walk: The visit involves stairs and about three-quarters of a mile of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and check for current weather, heat, and tower-closure notices.[12]
- Confirm before departure: Base security conditions and tour operations may affect access. Do not rely on old schedules or assume that the lighthouse can be visited without a reservation.
Nearby attractions
Cape Henry Memorial
A National Park Service memorial near the lighthouse that interprets the 1607 landing at Cape Henry. Access is also subject to military-base procedures.
First Landing State Park
A Virginia state park in Virginia Beach with trails and a coastal landscape tied to the region’s early history.
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
The city’s popular beachfront district, a contrasting stop for dining, lodging, and a walk along the oceanfront.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
A Virginia Beach attraction focused on marine life and coastal environments.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia.org, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouses, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse: Admission Details and Base Access Requirements, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse: Plan Your Visit, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouses, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouses, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse: Admission Details, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse: Base Access Requirements, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse: Plan Your Visit, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.