Montauk Point Lighthouse
Montauk Point Light
Authorized for construction by President Washington in 1796, this is New York State's oldest lighthouse, standing on the headland at the eastern tip of Long Island.
Montauk Point Light was completed in 1796. It is New York State's oldest lighthouse and the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the United States. It stands on the sea cliffs at the 'end' of Long Island's eastern tip. Visitors can climb 137 steps to the top for views over the Atlantic and Block Island Sound. The keeper's cottage beside it has been converted into a museum that tells the lighthouse's history and explains coastal erosion protection. The rocky shore below the lighthouse is a popular spot for fishing and surfing, and the surrounding Montauk Point State Park has trails and ocean viewpoints. Admission is about 15 dollars, and parking costs extra. Summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and hours are shorter in other seasons. It is about a 40-minute drive from East Hampton.
Opening hours
Summer 10:30–17:30 (seasonally adjusted)
Nearby sights
- Camp Hero State Park
- Ditch Plains Beach
- Montauk
- Hither Hills State Park
- Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center
- Hook Windmill
- LongHouse Reserve
- Guild Hall of East Hampton