Wondering about the coastline of the west coast and wondering what Washington lighthouses you can add to your Lighthouse bucket list? Well, look no further because we compiled some of the most famous lighthouses in Washington for you to enjoy while traveling across the evergreen state. Whether you are looking for haunted lighthouses, the oldest lighthouse or the most popular, we got you!
Read on for the most popular Lighthouses in Washington and where to find them! Plus, we included useful information such as hours, cost, parking, and accessibility!
Washington Lighthouses Facts
How many active lighthouses are there in Washington?
Eighteen lighthouses are active in Washington state.
Oldest Lighthouse in Washington
- Cape Disappoint was made in 1856.
Open to the public Lighthouses
- Admiralty head
- Burrows island
- Brown Point Lighthouse
- Gray Harbor
- Mukilteo
- New Dungeness
- North Head
- Patos island Lighthouse
- Point to no point Lighthouse
- Swiftsure
- Turn point Lighthouse
- Lime kiln
- Alki Point
Private lighthouses in Washington
- Ediz hook
- Skunk Bay
Haunted lighthouses in Washington
- Point Wilson
Destroyed lighthouses in Washington
- Semiahmoo
- Willapa bay
- Slip Point
- Smith Island
It can get chilly in Washington; you know the best time to explore popular destinations in the evergreen state!
9 Best Washington Lighthouses To Visit
1. North Head Lighthouse
Where: Ilwaco Washington
When:
May – September
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost:
- $2.50 for adults 18 and older
- Free for children 7-17
- Under seven not allowed to climb tower
Pets Allowed: Leashed Dogs Allowed in the area, but not inside
Access: No since there are stairs to climb
Parking: Parking lot – Discovery Pass needed
This lovely little lighthouse was built back and lit in 1898 because numerous shipwrecks about 200, were trying to navigate the area, especially around the Columbia River area.
Since then, it has become an important lighthouse for the area, especially for the stretch of coast it was near that was famously called the “graveyard of the Pacific“.
If you are wanting to learn more about the lighthouse and spend a night there, you can even book a stay in the keepers house for a real unique memory.
2. Grays Harbor Lighthouse
Where: Westport
When:
*subject to change; check Westport South Beach Historical Society for info*
April – September: Thursday – Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm
October- November: Thursday – Friday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
December – March: Thursday – Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost:
- Everyone $5.00
- Coast guard active and tetired with ID: Free
- Military Active and retired: $4.00
Pets Allowed: Not allowed to be carried up light house, there is a waiting spot for dogs
Access: No because of stairs
Parking: Parking lot and street parking
Special Note: Children have to be taller than 40 inches and 5 years to go up the lighthouse
This magnificent lighthouse stands tall at 107 feet and is actually the tallest lighthouse in Washington and the 3rd in the states. The Westport lighthouse was constructed in 1897 and began its first day on duty in 1898.
After going up 135 steps, you’ll be gifted with amazing views of the ocean and Westport. After you are done visiting the Grays Harbor lighthouse, which should only take around 30 minutes. You can explore the beach trail nearby or explore Westport light state park.
3. Alki Point Lighthouse
Where: Alki Beach – West Seattle
Cost: Free
Pets Allowed: No
Access: No Wheelchair Access
When: Summer Season: Sundays only by a tour starting at 1:00 pm, and the last tour is at 3:45 pm.
Parking: Public parking is available in the lot in front of the lighthouse area. Otherwise street parking is available.
This little lighthouse holds a special place in our hearts because it’s in Seattle and is something we always see when we go to Alki Beach for walks or longboarding.
Visiting Alki is one of our favorite things to do in Seattle when on a budget!
4. Admiralty Head Lighthouse
Where: Coupeville Washington on Whidbey Island
When: Year Round
Cost: Discover pass
Pets Allowed: Yes, on leash in the fort casey state park
Access: The area around is accessible, such as parking, restroom and picnic area
Parking: Discover Pass
Built-in 1903, the Admiralty Head Lighthouse is located in Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island. This lighthouse stands 90 feet tall and overlooks Puget sound, and offers stunning views of the iconic Olympic mountains. ‘
What’s impressive about this lighthouse is the comfy and spacious keeper quarters it had for the lighthouse keepers; it was said to be one of the most lavish ones back during that time. One thing to note is that Admiralty Lighthouse is not the original lighthouse but instead replaced the wooden one before it.
5. New Dungeness Lighthouse
Where: Sequim, Washington
When: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: $3 fee
Pets Allowed: no
Access: No, uneven terrain hike that is around 5 miles each way
Parking: The parking lot is Refuge parking lot and parking fee is $3
What we love about the New Dungeness lighthouse is its lighthouse keepers for a week program. Families can work as lighthouse keepers and experience what it was like back then to be one.
This lighthouse was first lit back in 1857, and it’s also the U.S .lighthouse to be built on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Love the great outdoors? Us Too! We make it a habit to explore new places in Washington all the time! - La Push Beach and Forks Washington because we watched too much Twilight growing up. - Best Washington Lakes: We uncover the best lakes for views, water sports and hikes, Like Stunning Lake Crescent.
6. West Point LightHouse
Where: Discovery Park – Seattle, Washington
When: Year-round – currently lighthouse is not open to the public
Cost: Free
Pets Allowed: Leashed Dogs allowed on discovery trails but not lighthouse
Access: Yes, visit the discovery visitors center for a parking permit to park at the lighthouse parking, which is usually not allowed for regular visitors. They open again in June 2023.
Parking: North lot and walk the hike or street parking outside the area. The closest parking lot is only for permit holders.
Built back in 1881, the West Point Lighthouse came to be. The Discovery Park is very popular with locals in Seattle, so don’t be alarmed by crowds. Also, remember that parking is tricky, and you’ll have to hike to make it to the lighthouse. Also, since it’s in north Seattle, you can explore the nearby Golden Gardens, a famous Washington beach.
If you are down and are from Seattle, then make a road trip and hit all these lighthouses on the weekend.
7. Point Wilson Lighthouse
Where: Port Townsend, Washington
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free but donations welcome
Pets Allowed: no
Access: unknown
Parking: Fort Worden State Park parking
This spooky lighthouse is located near Puget Sound and is allegedly haunted by ghosts, or so they say. Apparently, one of the legends is about a woman named Maria, who floats around the lighthouse looking for her late child, who drowned.
Whatever the case you can see for yourself by doing a tour on the weekend, but do so at your own risk.
Looking for spooky places to visit this Halloween? Read our Spooky USA Cities Guide!
8. Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
Where: Ilwaco, Washington
When: Year Round
Cost: Discover Pass
Pets Allowed: Dogs Allowed on Leash on trail
Access: no
Parking: Yes there is parking at Cape Disappointment state park
Its Cape Disappointment earned its name because of Captain John Meares’ first interrupted voyage to the Columbia.
This old lighthouse can be accessed via the grounds near it by taking a step hike from the cape disappointment trail. This trail can get a little slippery and challenging due to the muddy conditions, so be careful when hiking. Make sure to wear hiking shoes, even though it is a short hike it is difficult.
Also, when you are done, you can stop by the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which is located in the state park. You can also explore Long Beach, which is located pretty close to the park. ”
9. Point no point Lighthouse & Park
Where:Hansville, Washington
When: Year Round
Cost: Discover Pass
Pets allowed: no
Access: no
Parking: No parking, open to pedestrians. However, in the Summer of 2023, point no point road should be available for parking until the original point no point park parking is usable.
Point no point is the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound, in case you are a history buff. This Lighthouse is also a great pitstop if you visit Poulsbo, one of the cutest little towns in Washington!
Point no point light is also well maintained and has amenities such as a restroom and picnic table areas. It also offers some of the best views of iconic sites in Washington like the San Juan Islands, the Puget Sound, and Mt. Rainier.
Lighthouses in Washington FAQ
There are around 30 lighthouses in Washington, including destroyed lighthouses. There are 18 active lighthouses that still run.
The oldest lighthouse in the pacific northwest is Cape Disappointment. It’s also the oldest running lighthouse in the PNW.
There are 14 lighthouses in the Puget sound.
There are two lighthouses on Whidbey Island: Admiralty Lighthouse and Bush Point Lighthouse.
That wraps up our guide to some of the best lighthouses in Washington! We hope you enjoyed this guide, and if you are exploring Washington, read our other helpful guides!
*All information listed can change without notice due to weather, closures and etc., so double check info before heading out to your favorite lighthouse*