Facility Overview

The parking lot at 100 Light House Road serves visitors to the historic Twin Lights State Historic Site (Navesink Light Station), perched dramatically atop the Highlands hills overlooking Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated in Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey, this dedicated open-air surface parking facility provides convenient, on-site staging for tourists, maritime history enthusiasts, photographers, and local sightseers. The lot features an open layout with standard marked bays, turning lanes, and designated accessible spaces. Because it is an open-air surface lot without low overhangs or overhead barriers, it offers unrestricted vertical clearance, making it suitable for standard passenger vehicles, minivans, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and high-roof passenger vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located on the highest headland along the Atlantic seaboard south of Maine, this facility puts visitors mere steps away from panoramic scenic vistas and historical landmarks:

• Twin Lights State Historic Site & Museum: Direct access (under a 1-minute walk) to the iconic 1862 twin stone lighthouse towers, maritime exhibits, and museum store.
• Twin Lights Scenic Overlook: Immediate walking access to panoramic views overlooking Sandy Hook National Recreation Area, Raritan Bay, and the distant New York City skyline.
• Downtown Highlands Waterfront & Dining: A quick 3-minute drive (approx. 1 mile) down the hill to Highlands\' renowned seafood restaurants and marinas along Bay Avenue, including the Bahr\'s Landing Restaurant, The Chubby Pickle, and Lusty Lobster.
• Gateway National Recreation Area (Sandy Hook Unit): Roughly 5 to 7 minutes by car (2.5 miles) across the Route 36 bridge, giving access to Atlantic ocean beaches, historic Fort Hancock, and coastal nature trails.
• Hartshorne Woods Park: Approximately a 5-minute drive south, providing over 700 acres of wooded hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the parking facility is gained via Light House Road, ascending the winding ridge from Route 36 (Memorial Parkway) or Highland Avenue. Because the roadway leading up the hill is residential and narrow in sections, drivers are encouraged to proceed with care and watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Ingress and egress are straightforward through a dedicated entrance and exit loop. Drivers returning toward major corridors can quickly merge onto Route 36, which connects directly to the Garden State Parkway (Exits 105 or 117) and Route 35. Public transit travelers can reach Highlands via NJ Transit Bus Route 834 or the SeaStreak Ferry terminal located nearby in Highlands for rapid ferry transit to and from Manhattan.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Easy maneuverability with no height clearance restrictions for tall vehicles or roof racks.
• Complimentary Visitor Parking: Free self-parking available to museum patrons and park visitors during regular operational hours.
• Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-compliant stalls positioned close to paved access pathways leading to the museum entrance and grounds.
• Paved Walkways: Direct, paved pedestrian connections linking the parking area to the lighthouse museum, gift shop, and viewing platforms.
• Scenic Surroundings: Immediate proximity to scenic grounds with picnic benches and historical informative markers.

Ideal For

• Maritime & History Enthusiasts: Visitors touring the Twin Lights Museum, the Marconi wireless station site, and lighthouse towers.
• Photographers & Sightseers: Travelers looking to capture sunrise or sunset vistas and panoramic vantage points of New York Harbor and Sandy Hook.
• Families & Day-Trippers: Guests pairing a cultural trip to the lighthouse with local dining in downtown Highlands or beach outings at Sandy Hook.
• Hikers & Walkers: Those exploring the scenic trails and residential walking routes throughout the Highlands bluffs.

Visitor & Driver Tips

The lot can fill up quickly during pleasant spring and summer weekends, especially during midday and afternoon hours when the museum exhibits and towers are open for tours. Arriving before 11:00 AM or in the late afternoon allows for a smoother parking experience. Always review park gate hours upon arrival, as the facility grounds and vehicular gates close at dusk. Please keep in mind that parking is designated for visitors to the historic site grounds, and overnight parking or camping is not permitted.