Top 10 Lighthouses You Can Actually Stay In Overnight

There’s something magical about lighthouses. They stand alone against the sea, battered by wind and waves, guiding ships through fog and storm. And while most people visit them during the day, a rare few offer the chance to do something unforgettable: spend the night inside. Imagine falling asleep to the crash of the surf, the cry of distant gulls, and the creak of history all around you.

Across America, from rugged New England coasts to the misty Pacific and the quiet Great Lakes, there are lighthouses where you can step back in time and live like a keeper, even if just for a night. Some are cozy bed-and-breakfasts, some are rustic volunteer experiences, and all are utterly unforgettable.

Here are ten of the most incredible lighthouses in the U.S. that you can actually stay in overnight.

1. Rose Island Lighthouse – Newport, Rhode Island

If you want a true “keeper for a night” experience, Rose Island Lighthouse is the ultimate. Located on a tiny island in Newport Harbor, this 1870s lighthouse offers guest rooms that feel straight out of another century... because they are. There’s no room service, no TV, and your electricity comes from solar panels.

Guests can explore the entire island, light the lamps at dusk, and even help with small lighthouse duties. At night, the world slips away. You’ll hear nothing but the lapping water and the occasional foghorn. It’s the closest thing to time travel in New England.

Pro tip: Pack a cooler with your own food and drinks, you’re on island time here.

2. East Brother Light Station – San Francisco Bay, California

On the opposite coast, the East Brother Light Station offers a historic overnight stay with stunning views of San Francisco and the Marin shoreline. Built in 1873, this Victorian-era lighthouse now operates as a bed and breakfast, complete with elegant rooms and home cooked meals.

The only way to reach it is by boat, and once you’re there, the modern world melts away. You’ll sip wine on the porch, watch ships glide by, and fall asleep to the gentle rhythm of the bay. The light still shines, just as it has for nearly 150 years.

Pro tip: Book well in advance... this place is small, and it fills up fast.

3. Little River Lighthouse – Cutler, Maine

Perched on a rocky island off the coast of Downeast Maine, Little River Lighthouse is a stay for those who crave isolation and rugged beauty. Accessible only by boat, it offers a cozy keeper’s house that can accommodate a few adventurous guests.

Here, you’ll experience the classic Maine vibe: jagged shoreline, swirling fog, lobster boats in the distance. With no distractions, nights are for reading by lantern light, playing cards, or stargazing under skies so clear you feel like you could touch the Milky Way.

Pro tip: Check the schedule for the Friends of Little River Lighthouse. They handle bookings and will ferry you over when seas are calm.

4. Big Sable Point Lighthouse – Ludington State Park, Michigan

If sleeping in a Great Lakes lighthouse has been on your bucket list, Big Sable Point in Michigan is your destination. This 112-foot tower has guided mariners since 1867, and today it offers a volunteer-stay program that lets you live like a real keeper.

Volunteers spend a week helping maintain the lighthouse, greeting visitors, and climbing the tower for epic sunsets over Lake Michigan. It’s a hands-on experience that trades luxury for authenticity, but the reward is a lighthouse all to yourself after the park closes.

Pro tip: Be ready to walk... there’s a two-mile hike through sand dunes to reach the lighthouse, and it’s worth every step.

5. Saugerties Lighthouse – Hudson River, New York

Not all lighthouse stays are on the open ocean. Saugerties Lighthouse, built in 1869 on the Hudson River, is a charming two-room bed-and-breakfast that feels like stepping into a bygone era.

Guests walk a half-mile trail over tidal flats to reach the lighthouse, where antique furnishings, oil lamps, and river views await. Sunsets over the Catskills are spectacular, and at high tide, the river practically wraps the lighthouse in a reflective embrace.

Pro tip: The rooms have no locks, just like the old days. It’s part of the charm.

6. Heceta Head Lighthouse – Florence, Oregon

Few lighthouse stays are as scenic as Heceta Head on the Oregon Coast. Built in 1894, it sits on a dramatic bluff with sweeping views of the Pacific. The former keeper’s house has been transformed into a gorgeous B&B with antique décor and a legendary seven-course breakfast.

By day, explore the misty beaches and nearby sea caves. By night, fall asleep to the distant roar of the surf and the slow flash of the lighthouse beam sweeping over the water. This is storybook coastal living at its finest.

Pro tip: Arrive early enough to hike to the lighthouse itself, it’s a view you’ll never forget.

7. Point No Point Lighthouse – Hansville, Washington

The name may be whimsical, but Point No Point Lighthouse on Puget Sound offers a truly unique overnight adventure. The keeper’s quarters are now a rental managed by the local historical society, and guests enjoy panoramic water views with Mount Rainier looming in the distance.

This is prime whale watching territory, especially in spring and summer, and the sunsets here are legendary. At night, the quiet is almost surreal, broken only by the sound of waves and the occasional distant foghorn.

Pro tip: Bring binoculars... you might spot orcas cruising right past your temporary home.

8. New Dungeness Lighthouse – Sequim, Washington

If you’re up for a lighthouse adventure with a mission, New Dungeness is for you. Located on a narrow five-mile sand spit, this 1857 lighthouse can only be reached by a long hike or by boat, and overnight guests serve as volunteer keepers.

Your duties might include raising the flag, polishing the brass, and giving daytime tours. But when the sun goes down, the lighthouse is all yours. Surrounded by sea and sky, it’s an experience that feels equal parts wild and peaceful.

Pro tip: Pack light but bring layers—weather here can change in an instant.

9. East Point Lighthouse – Heislerville, New Jersey

A hidden gem on the Delaware Bay, East Point Lighthouse is one of the few places on the East Coast where you can rent the actual keeper’s house for a full overnight stay. Built in 1849, it offers a rustic, self-catered experience where you can watch the tide roll in and the sun set over the marshes.

It’s perfect for birdwatchers and history buffs alike, and the relative remoteness adds to its old-world charm.

Pro tip: Bring your own supplies, this is more self-reliant getaway than luxury B&B.

10. Keeper’s House at Wood Island Lighthouse – Biddeford Pool, Maine

Rounding out the list is Wood Island Lighthouse, a classic Maine tower located just off the coast near Biddeford. Guests stay in the restored keeper’s house and can help with light maintenance and interpretive programs during the day.

The reward? Evenings of total seclusion, ocean breezes, and the satisfying feeling that you’ve joined a long tradition of those who’ve kept the light burning against the storm.

Pro tip: Check the seasonal ferry schedule, access is only available during the summer months.

Sleeping in History

Spending the night in a lighthouse isn’t just a vacation. It’s stepping into the shoes of those who stood watch over dangerous seas, lighting the way for others. Whether it’s a cozy B&B on the Hudson, a rugged island in Maine, or a volunteer post on the Great Lakes, these stays offer a rare connection to history and the raw beauty of the coast.

So next time you crave a getaway that’s truly out of the ordinary, leave the hotel behind. Grab a lantern, climb a spiral staircase, and fall asleep to the sound of waves beneath your window. The light will guide you home, just as it has for centuries.