Cape Hatteras Light
Buxton, NC · tallest brick lighthouse
35.2503, -75.5288
Showcase
Map of US Lighthouses
Famous lighthouses on every US coast, plus the Great Lakes. From Cape Hatteras to Heceta Head.
Atlantic
7 locationsCape May Lighthouse
Cape May, NJ
38.9337, -74.9603
Montauk Point Light
Montauk, NY · tip of Long Island
41.0712, -71.8570
Cape Lookout Light
Outer Banks, NC · diamond pattern
34.6225, -76.5247
St. Augustine Light
St. Augustine, FL · helical stripes
29.8852, -81.2880
Key West Light
Key West, FL
24.5527, -81.8005
Sand Key Light
Florida Keys
24.4538, -81.8788
Great Lakes
2 locationsSplit Rock Light
Two Harbors, MN · Lake Superior
47.2007, -91.3669
Big Sable Point Light
Ludington, MI
44.0567, -86.5147
New England
5 locationsPortland Head Light
Cape Elizabeth, ME · oldest in Maine
43.6231, -70.2079
Pemaquid Point Light
Bristol, ME · on the Maine quarter
43.8377, -69.5052
Nubble Light
York, ME
43.1655, -70.5912
Bass Harbor Head
Mt. Desert Island, ME · Acadia NP
44.2210, -68.3372
Boston Light
Boston Harbor, MA · first US lighthouse
42.3270, -70.8907
Pacific
6 locationsHeceta Head Light
Yachats, OR · most photographed
44.1374, -124.1276
Yaquina Head Light
Newport, OR · tallest on Oregon coast
44.6766, -124.0794
Point Reyes Light
Point Reyes, CA
37.9956, -123.0237
Pigeon Point Light
Pescadero, CA
37.1825, -122.3940
Old Point Loma Light
San Diego, CA
32.6713, -117.2417
Cape Disappointment Light
Ilwaco, WA · oldest on West Coast
46.2750, -124.0573
Famous US lighthouses by coast
America has 700+ lighthouses; we curated 20 of the most iconic.
- Atlantic Coast: Cape Hatteras, Cape May, Montauk
- New England: Portland Head, Pemaquid, Boston Light (oldest US)
- Pacific Coast: Heceta Head, Point Reyes, Pigeon Point
- Great Lakes: Split Rock, Big Sable Point
Lighthouse road trips
Several coasts are perfect for multi-lighthouse trips.
- Maine: Portland Head → Pemaquid → Bass Harbor → Nubble (one weekend)
- Outer Banks NC: Cape Hatteras + Cape Lookout
- Oregon Coast: Heceta Head + Yaquina Head + 10+ smaller lights
Pro tips for lighthouse photography
Lighthouses are a classic photo subject — and easy to do well.
- Golden hour and blue hour are both magical
- Wide shots show context (cliffs, fog, surf)
- Try long exposures of the rotating beam at night
Frequently asked questions
Oldest US lighthouse?
Boston Light, first lit in 1716. The current tower is from 1783.
Tallest US lighthouse?
Cape Hatteras at 198 ft — also the tallest brick lighthouse in the world.
Can I visit all lighthouses?
Most are open as parks or museums; some are still active aids to navigation and have restricted access.
Can I embed this map?
Build a customized version in MapsMaker and embed it.
Are there lighthouses on the Great Lakes?
Yes — Split Rock and Big Sable Point are two of the most famous.
Is this tool free?
Yes — viewing and using this map is free.
Build your own version of this map
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