St. Augustine Lighthouse
St. Augustine, FL
A black-and-white spiral-striped lighthouse on Anastasia Island, finished in 1874, with 219 steps to a view over the old city and Matanzas Bay. A maritime museum fills the keeper’s house; admission is charged.
St. Augustine Lighthouse is a black-and-white striped lighthouse from the 1870s in St. Augustine, Florida. The tower is 165 feet (about 50 m) tall, and 219 steps lead to the top. The lighthouse has served as a navigation aid for more than 140 years.
In the restored keepers’ house, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum presents exhibits on the lives of the keepers and their families. After a fire caused by vandalism, restoration began in 1980 and took about 15 years. The museum is a private non-profit organization and a Smithsonian affiliate.
Children under 44 inches (about 112 cm) tall may not climb the tower, and all climbers must manage the ascent and descent on their own. Themed tours take place regularly, including the “Dark of the Moon” tour. Please check opening hours, tickets and the tour schedule on the website in advance.
- Nearest town
- St. Augustine, FL
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 29.8855, -81.2887
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Saint Augustine Beach KOAMotorhome stopover2 mi from St. Augustine LighthouseMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Ocean Grove RV ResortMotorhome stopover5 mi from St. Augustine LighthouseMotorhomes
- Peppertree RV ResortMotorhome stopover6 mi from St. Augustine LighthouseMotorhomes
- Bryn Mawr Ocean ResortMotorhome stopover6 mi from St. Augustine LighthouseMotorhomes
- Cooksey's RV ParkMotorhome stopover6 mi from St. Augustine LighthouseMotorhomes
- 4 Lakes CampgroundCampsite17 mi from St. Augustine LighthouseWi-Fi
All campsites in Florida · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is St. Augustine Lighthouse?
St. Augustine Lighthouse is in St. Augustine, FL, at GPS 29.8855, -81.2887. It is about 12 mi from Fort Matanzas.
Can you camp near St. Augustine Lighthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Saint Augustine Beach KOA, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass St. Augustine Lighthouse?
St. Augustine Lighthouse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: A1A from Jacksonville to Daytona: forts, lighthouses and coquina.
What is there to see near St. Augustine Lighthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Castillo de San Marcos (2 mi), Fort Matanzas National Monument (12 mi), Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (18 mi) and Kingsley Plantation, Timucuan Preserve (39 mi).
When is the best time to visit St. Augustine Lighthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)