A drive to Barnegat Lighthouse last weekend took us by surprise when we arrived to closed gates. Luckily, we found a parking spot down the road and enjoyed our day at barnegat Lighthouse State Park.
State officials said that there was no money in the budget to open the gates after an emplyee retired. While this situation gets worked out with the state Department of Environmental Protection, which runs the state parks, plan on parking down the side and walking into the park. Don’t plan on be able to climb the lighthouse.
Hopefully, this gets resolved sooner rather than later. Barnegat Lighthouse is a big draw to Long Beach Island all year round for many visitors.