Start of the Lighthouse Trail

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Length: .4 mile loop
Time: 20 minutes, with time to see the Lighthouse (add more time if climbing)
Difficulty: Moderate

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The Lighthouse Trail is a Hiker Only trail with its own parking lot located off the main road through Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. It is also the only trail in the park that is not flat. Assateague Lighthouse is not that tall, so it was built on the top of a hill to obtain maximum visibility. The trail is short, so unless you are extremely out of shape or in a wheelchair, you should be able to make it to the top.

Typical terrain of the Lighthouse Trail

The current lighthouse, which is not the original that was built on this spot, was constructed from 1832 through 1833. The original light could not be seen far enough out to sea, so a new lighthouse was planned and approved in 1860. However, the Civil War put a hold on things, and construction on the new lighthouse was not started until 1866, with work being completed in 1887. The light went into operation that October. The lighthouse stands 140 feet tall, but it is on top of a hill that is 22 feet above sea level.

The lighthouse is open for climbing during the spring, summer, and fall, but the exact dates and times change each year. To get the current schedule, visit the Chincoteague Natural History Association website, the organization that manages the lighthouse. There is no charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, it was not open when I visited.

If you are interested in more information on the Assateague Lighthouse, or lighthouses in general, check out the website Lighthouse Friends.com (this link goes to the Assateague Lighthouse page).

Assateague Lighthouse

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