By Joe Laing
When you think of vacationing in New York State, do you think of lighthouses? You should! More than fifty lights stand guard on the rivers, lakes and seashores of the Empire State. Ranging from minimal metal structures to beautifully historic towers, these lights are the perfect motivation for taking an extended tour. Follow along as we map two suggested itineraries for an RV road trip to the lighthouses of New York.
Hudson River Lighthouse Itinerary
Lighthouses rich in history line the Hudson River, giving RV travelers the chance to see six on a single road trip. Pick up the Palisades Interstate Parkway north of New York City and head along the Hudson to the Tappan Zee Bridge. Once you cross to the east side of the river, you’ll soon find Tarrytown/Kingsland Point Light. This lighthouse built in 1883 is located in the Village of Sleepy Hollow’s Kingsland Point Park. When you’re ready to move on, cross the Tappan Zee Bridge back over to the Hudson’s western shore and head north to Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. That’s where you’ll find a wonderfully informative tour of the Stony Point Lighthouse, built in 1826.
The next stop on your Hudson River lighthouse itinerary actually yields views of two lighthouses. 
Randout Creek Lighthouse can be seen from Kingston Point Park, and Hudson River Cruises offers tours around both it and the Esopus Lighthouse, another light with a fascinating history.
By the way, if you’re ready to stop at this point, why not visit one of the friendly RV campgrounds in the area? A perennial favorite is Blue Mountain Campground in the Catskill Mountains near Saugerties, NY. That’s especially convenient as you make a stop at the next lighthouse on our list, the Saugerties Lighthouse, saved from demolition and lovingly restored by local historic preservation workers. Round out your RV road trip up the Hudson with a visit to the, Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, also beautifully restored by local volunteers.
Long Island Lighthouses
Another possibility for a fascinating RV road trip to the lighthouses of New York is a journey across Long Island. Once on Long Island, take the Robert Moses Causeway Bridge over to Fire Island National Seashore, where visitors willing to take a one-mile hike can reach the wonderfully scenic Fire Island Lighthouse.
Swing back across the Causeway to Long Island Sound, where three lighthouses wait to thrill visitors. Execution Rocks Lighthouse, currently being restored, can easily be viewed from local water taxi tours. Cold Spring Harbor Lighthouse can be seen off Centre Island from Lloyd Harbor Road, but isn’t accessible to the public. Another historic Long Island Sound light in the process of restoration is Huntington Harbor Light, where the Lighthouse Preservation Society gives occasional tours.
As you continue along Long Island’s North Shore, you may notice Eaton’s Neck Lighthouse in the distance near the Village of Northport, but the grounds aren’t open to visitors. Continue on to Horton Point Lighthouse and Nautical Museum, where a big dose of maritime history is waiting.
At this point, you’ll begin to encounter an amazing number of lighthouses. Long Beach Bar, Orient Point, Plumb Island, Little Gull, Race Rock, North Dumpling and Latimer Reef Lighthouses offer RV travelers unforgettable vacation photos. Many can be viewed from land, while some can be reached by local boat tour. More information about the lighthouses of Peconic Bay and Long Island’s East End can be found at LightHouseFriends.com.
Finish your RV trip to Long Island’s lighthouses with a tour of hauntingly beautiful Montauk Point Light and then a hike through Cedar Point Park to photograph Cedar Island Light.
Where to camp while on Long Island? Here are a few possibilities:
- Long Island Kampgrounds near Greenport
- Beach County Park in Westhampton
- Hither Hills State Park Campground in Montauk
For a truly illuminating vacation, consider a trip to the historic lights of New York. In addition to the Hudson River and Long Island lighthouse itineraries, there are lighthouses scattered from Manhattan to the Great Lakes. A quick tour of LighthouseFriends.com can acquaint you with all New York has to offer. This year’s RV road trip to the lighthouses of New York just might have you planning a return visit to these sturdy witnesses to New York’s maritime history.
About the Author
Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. For other great RV camping vacation ideas see Monty’s Musings RV Camping Blog or the new Monty’s RV Vacation Photo / Picture Gallery.
Wow. What a cool idea. I love lighthouses, especially the one in Montauk.
Did you know that the Saugerties Lighthouse is also a Bed and Breakfast which accomodates guests in historic style? Its a great getaway and opportunity to experience a little piece of Hudson Valley history. Its also a great place to take a picnic on a hot summers day and play in the waves of the Hudson River. I have lots of wonderful memories of long summer days building sand castles in the shallows waiting for the tide to come in!