Virginia's Lighthouses
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Virginia’s lighthouses mark the Chesapeake Bay’s entrances, offshore shoals, and working waterways. Some invite visitors inside; others are best admired from a refuge, waterfront, or distant shoreline. Cape Henry offers a climb and guided visit, while the Assateague, Old Point Comfort, and New Point Comfort lights make rewarding stops for history and coastal scenery. Check access rules before setting out: military-base security, seasonal refuge hours, and limited public entry can shape a lighthouse trip.[1]
Start with Cape Henry
On the ocean-facing approach to the Chesapeake Bay, Cape Henry’s old lighthouse dates to 1792 and was the first federally funded public works project of the new United States government. Its sandstone tower guided ships for nearly a century; the nearby black-and-white-striped replacement was built in 1881 and is not open to the public.[2]
The old tower is open for timed, guided visits, including a climb and a walking tour of the Cape Henry site. It stands within Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, so civilian visitors should reserve ahead and review the current security requirements, identification rules, and tour availability directly with Preservation Virginia. Those restrictions can change, and access is not guaranteed simply by arriving at the base.[3]
Lighthouses to see around the coast
The best choice for an inside visit and tower climb. The 1792 lighthouse is at Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia; check timed-ticket availability and base-access procedures before making plans.
Assateague Lighthouse
A red-and-white-striped landmark on the Virginia side of Assateague Island. See it as part of a visit to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge; the refuge’s seasonal hours and visitor conditions apply.
Old Point Comfort Lighthouse
Built in 1802, this Coast Guard-operated lighthouse stands at Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, Virginia. The tower is closed to the public, but it adds a striking historic detail to a visit to the fort.
New Point Comfort Lighthouse
Set offshore near Mathews County, Virginia, this 1804 lighthouse is not a walk-up attraction. A county-listed observation platform at New Point Comfort Nature Preserve offers a shore-side view.
Cape Charles Lighthouse
This offshore light stands on Smith Island and is not open to the public. Treat it as a distant-view landmark rather than a stop where you can go ashore or climb the tower.
Assateague: lighthouse and refuge
The Assateague Lighthouse is on the Virginia side of the island, within the landscape associated with Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Congress funded the first lighthouse there in 1831; the present tower was built in 1867, and its light remains an active navigation aid.[4]
Plan for a refuge outing, not a guaranteed tower tour: the lighthouse is a landmark to appreciate from the island, and public access inside the tower is limited. The Virginia district’s refuge hours vary by season, and there is no vehicle access between the Maryland and Virginia districts on the island. Check current conditions and hours before traveling from Chincoteague, Virginia.[5]
Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake
At Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort Lighthouse has watched the entrance to Hampton Roads since 1802. The National Park Service describes it as a 54-foot octagonal structure and notes that it is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and closed to the public. Its history also includes lighthouse keepers William Roscoe Davis and John Jones, both formerly enslaved men who served after the Civil War.[6]
At New Point Comfort, the lighthouse sits offshore in a protected coastal setting. Mathews County’s public water-access guide describes an elevated observation platform at the preserve; use it to view the scenery and lighthouse from shore rather than assuming the tower itself is open to visitors.[7]
Cape Charles Lighthouse, built on Smith Island in 1895, is another offshore landmark. The tower is not open to the public, so include it as a distant sighting from the bay or nearby viewpoints, not as a direct-access attraction.[8]
Planning a lighthouse outing
- **Check access before you go.** Cape Henry requires timed tickets and base-security screening for visitors without existing base access. Confirm current requirements and tour availability with Preservation Virginia before travel.[9]
- **Pair the lighthouse with its setting.** Cape Henry fits a Virginia Beach history outing; Old Point Comfort belongs with a visit to Fort Monroe; Assateague’s lighthouse pairs naturally with refuge scenery; and New Point Comfort is best approached as a shore-side viewpoint.
- **Expect limited access at offshore or working lights.** Old Point Comfort and Cape Charles are closed to the public, while New Point Comfort is not a standard walk-in tower visit. Check official visitor information rather than relying on an assumption that a lighthouse is climbable.
- **Allow for coastal conditions.** At Assateague, seasonal refuge hours, weather, and changing island conditions can affect plans. Consult the refuge’s current visitor information before leaving for the island.[10]
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References
- ↑ Lighthouses in Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Assateague Lighthouse, Assateague Island National Seashore, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Basic Information, Assateague Island National Seashore, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, Fort Monroe National Monument, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Mathews County Public Water Access Guide, Mathews County, Virginia, Mathews County. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Lighthouses in Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Cape Henry Lighthouse, Preservation Virginia, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Basic Information, Assateague Island National Seashore, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-22.