16 Puget Sound lighthouses you can visit for free

The following list includes lighthouses you can visit in the Puget Sound region. Most lighthouse grounds are open year-round, except where stated otherwise. Most lighthouse are free to visit, though will gladly accept donations for upkeep of the grounds and buildings. A couple sites have small fees. A few lighthouses inside Washington State Parks require a Discover Pass. 

Most of the lighthouses are historic sites with non-functioning lights. However, several are operating to aid maritime traffic in navigation of Puget Sound waterways.

Several of the lighthouses are in Seattle or a short drive away. Others would make more of a day trip with a picnic in fair weather. A few are accessible only by boat. We’ve listed the best days to go, typically when tours are offered or other facilities are open, including the lighthouses, museums, and gift shops.

The lighthouses are arranged roughly north to south on Puget Sound. At the end of the list, find our Google Map with each of these lighthouses pinpointed. 

Lighthouses North of Seattle

Patos Island Lighthouse on the Northwest corner of Patos Island. It was named by European explorers in the 1790s and is an area full of history and beautiful natural areas. The lighthouse is within Patos Island Marine State Park. Stunning views found no where else in the Puget Sound can be seen here – as well as views into international water and Canada. Patos Island is only accessible by boat. 

• Why go: Beautiful location, the northernmost island in the San Juans, access to a 20,000 foot marine shoreline, and rich history experience. 
• When to go: The inside of the lighthouse is closed to visitors, the grounds are open daily.  

Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island, near Sidney on Vancouver Island and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Stuart Island is where vessels turn when traveling north. Orcas follow the same path as boats on the water and can often be spotted from the lighthouse. A historic lighthouse which is being gently restored and preserved. Stuart Island is only accessible by boat.

• Why go: Wildlife viewing including orcas, otters, and seals, places to hike and enjoy the beach. 
  
• When to go: The inside of the lighthouse is closed to visitors, the grounds are open daily. 

Cattle Point Lighthouse Cattle Point Rd, San Juan Island, WA 98250. Part of the San Juan Island’s National Monument on the southern tip of the island, this is an area that has been preserved for generations to come. Named for the cattle that were often seen at this point. Take the ferry to Friday Harbor from Anacortes. A Discover Pass is required in some areas depending on where you park. 

• Why go: Nearby hikes, historical site with others nearby, covered picnic areas, and plenty of beaches. 
  
• When to go: The inside of the lighthouse is closed to visitors, the grounds are open daily. 

The YouTube Video tour of 3 San Juan lighthouses gives a brief tour of these lighthouses: Patos Island, Turn Point, and Cattle point. The landscape in these areas has unique formations and habitats not found elsewhere, including rare plant species, animals, and butterflies. 

Lime Kiln Lighthouse in Lime Kiln State Park, 1567 Westside Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. (About 110 miles north of Seattle via Anacortes Ferry.) Historic lighthouse located on the western side of San Juan Island. The park features picnic areas, bird watching, and accessible beach. Possible whale sightings spring to fall. Self-guided trail. Guides available in summer. Take the ferry to Friday Harbor from Anacortes. Requires Washington State Discover Pass.

• Why go: beautiful park setting, possible wild orca viewing, visitor center provides history of lime mining and Salish Sea ecosystem.
• When to go: self-guided tours year-round, guided tours from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Burrows Island Light Station: Anacortes, WA 98221. Constructed after the rocky cliffs and rough shoreline of Burrows Island caused several deaths among vessels traveling in the area.  This is the oldest virtually intact wooden lighthouse in Washington state. 
The Burrows Island Light Station is currently undergoing restoration by the Coast Guard using funds granted by the Washington Heritage Capitol Fund, which will return the lighthouse and the outbuildings to their original condition.

• Why go: Unique rocky landscape on the beaches, history, enjoy the surrounding area. 
  
• When to go: Lighthouse closed to visitors during renovations. Grounds open daily. 

The YouTube video tour of Burrows Island Light Station near Anacortes, Washington shows the oldest virtually intact lighthouse in Washington. The lighthouse has a boathouse, keepers quarters, helicopter pad, and more. Featuring stunning views of the Puget Sound, this area is full of history and beauty. Currently closed to visitors it is being restored by volunteers for future generations to enjoy.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse in Fort Casey Historical State Park, 1280 Engle Road, Coupeville, WA 98239. (About 55 miles northwest of Seattle via Mukilteo Ferry or 65 miles if driving through Mt. Vernon.) Historic lighthouse located within Fort Casey Historical Park on western Whidbey Island, perched on an 80-foot bluff where the Strait of San Juan de Fuca meets Admiralty Inlet. Deactivated in 1922 but open to the public. Requires Washington State Discover Pass.

• Why go: learn history of the area, including Native American tribes and construction of Fort Casey.
• When to go: Daily June-August, weekends Mar-May, Sep-Dec. Closed Jan-Feb.

The YouTube video tour of Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey gives an in-depth look at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. It shows the inside of the lighthouse including some of the former lenses used on the lighthouse.  We’re also introduced to volunteers and staff who share the history of Fort Casey and the lighthouse as well as information about the geography of the region.  The Lighthouse is closed for renovations until at least August 2020 but the park is open to visitors.

Point Wilson Lighthouse in Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368. (About 60 miles northwest of Seattle via Seaatle-Bainbridge Ferry.) Functioning, fully automated lighthouse located within a 432-acre park with more than 2 miles of saltwater shoreline and a wide variety of services and facilities, including a full-service conference center and the Coast Artillery Museum with special emphasis on the harbor defenses of Puget Sound as they existed and functioned from the late 1800s to the end of World War II. Requires Washington State Discover Pass.

• Why go: see an operative lighthouse and many other features at the park.
• When to go: Saturdays May to September. Park open daily.

New Dungeness Lighthouse, Sequim, WA 98382. (About 75 miles northwest of Seattle via Seattle Bainbridge Ferry) Located northwest of Sequim inside the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge at the end of a long sandspit, a strenuous 2-hour, 6-mile walk (many trekkers give up, but 34,000+ have visited since 1994). Boaters must contact the Refuge office at 360-457-8451 before landing. The refuge is haven to dozens of species of birds, land mammals, and marine mammals. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse keeper program is an opportunity to stay at the lighthouse for a week (though it’s not free or even cheap; reservations can be made one year in advance). 

• Why go: Remote, serene location with museum of history, including Native Americans who lived in the area.
• When to go: year-round in fair weather, plan to arrive at low tide, check their website for tide tables.

Mukilteo Lighthouse, 609 Front St, Mukilteo, WA 98275. (About 30 miles north of Seattle.) Functioning lighthouse with a range of 12 miles maintained by the USCG and a local non-profit.

• Why go: photos and displays chronicle the 100-year history of the lighthouse.
• When to go: Saturdays and Sundays, April to September. Grounds open daily.

Point No Point Lighthouse, 9009 Point No Point Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340. (About 35 miles northwest of Seattle via Bainbridge Ferry.) Functioning, fully automated lighthouse and oldest of the Puget Sound lighthouses (operating since 1879). Located in a 3-acre park on the northern tip of Kitsap Peninsula. Named in 1841 by Charles Wilkes of the U.S. Exploring Expedition when he found the point much smaller than expected. Listed in the National Register of Historical Places.

• Why go: see an operative lighthouse in a secluded location.
• When to go: Saturdays and Sundays, April to October. Grounds open daily.

Lighthouses in Seattle

West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199. Functioning, fully automated lighthouse at the base of Magnolia Bluff marks a hazardous shoal at the northern entrance to Elliott Bay. The beacon’s signal flashes every five seconds, alternating red and white. The white light is visible for 19 miles, the red for 16. Stop at the Discovery Park Visitor Center for information about trails to the beach and lighthouse; a shuttle is available on weekends. Parking at the lighthouse is only allowed by permit for families with children under 8, people over 62, and persons with disability that prevent them from walking 2 miles down (and back up).

• Why go: see an operative lighthouse and save time to explore the 534-acre park.
• When to go: Visitor Center open Tu-Su. Park open daily.

Alki Point Lighthouse, 3201 Alki Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116. Functioning, fully automated lighthouse on an active US Coast Guard site at the southern entrance to Elliott Bay. USCG Auxiliarists provide summer tours (subject to cancellation).

• Why go: see an operative lighthouse.
• When to go: Sunday afternoons in summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day), otherwise not open to the public.

Lighthouses South or West of Seattle

Point Robinson Lighthouse in Point Robinson Park, 3705 SW Pt Robinson Rd, Vashon, WA 98070. (About 25 miles southwest of Seattle via Vashon Ferry.) Functioning, fully automated lighthouse located on the eastern side of Maury Island (connected to Vashon) in a conservancy park with a sandy beach, natural areas, trails, and picnic area. Side trip: Bicycle embedded in a tree is off Vashon Highway and SW 204 Street, at the northeast corner, about 50-60 ft into the woods on the north side of Sound Food Cafe.

• Why go: see an operative lighthouse in a beautiful, secluded, natural location.
• When to go: Sundays May to September or by appt. Park open daily.

The YouTube video tour of Point Robinson Lighthouse on Vashon Island shows expansive beaches that are part of a marine conservancy.  The halfway point between Seattle and Tacoma, visitors can see Mount Rainier, Tacoma, and the East Passage from here. Tours are held on Sunday in the summer and can be scheduled during the offseason as well. 

Browns Point Lighthouse, 201 Tulalip Street NE, Tacoma, WA 98422. (About 35 miles southwest of Seattle via Anacortes Ferry.) Historic lighthouse with a visitor center, boathouse, original bell and lightkeeper’s cottage. Located in a beautiful, dog-friendly waterfront public park.

• Why go: learn about lighthouse history.
• When to go: Saturdays from May to September, or by appointment.

The YouTube video tour of Browns Point Lighthouse in Tacoma shows the surrounding neighborhood in Tacoma. The lighthouse itself sits upon a profound point in the land with rocky beach on one side and sandy beaches on the other. On-site is a museum, keeper’s cottage, picnic area, and walking trails.

Dofflemyer Point Lighthouse, Lighthouse Ln NE, Olympia, WA 98506. (About 65 miles southwest of Seattle.) Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Functioning, fully-automated lighthouse at the eastern entrance to Budd Inlet. It is the southernmost and historically the only unmanned lighthouse in Puget Sound, maintained by a contract keeper who visited the lighthouse once a week, from 1887-1987 until the lighthouse was finally automated Since it is llocated on a private beach in Boston Harbor, the lighthouse and grounds are not open to the public. However, you can see and photograph the lighthouse from the Boston Harbor Marina docks or Jeal Point to the north.

• Why go: southernmost and historically significant lighthouse in Puget Sound. Visit the Marina shop to buy souvenirs, food, or locally caught seafood in season. Stroll the docks, view wildlife, or lounge on the sandy beach.
• When to go: year-round in fair weather.

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse:  Fort Canby Park Rd, Ilwaco, WA 98624.  This lighthouse stands at the entrance to the Columbia River and is the oldest lighthouse in the area.  Wildlife is often seen in this area and is near an old-growth forest on the grounds of Cape Disappointment State Park. Discover Pass required. 

• Why go: Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (capedisappointment.org) offers rich history, with hiking, fishing, and beaches nearby.  
• When to go: The interior of the lighthouse is not open to the public. You can get good distant views from the interpretive center. The first-order Fresnel lens formerly used in Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is on display at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

The YouTube video tour of Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at Grays Harbor, WA shows us the inside and outside of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.  Surrounded by rough, rocky cliffs, this unrestored lighthouse from 1898 is crucial for boat safety in the area.  In fact, so many boats wrecked in this area that a second lighthouse was needed. On a clear day, visitors can see the Oregon coast. As of July 2020, the lighthouse is closed to visitors.  

Map of Puget Sound lighthouse locations

We’ve created a convenient list of these Puget Sound Lighthouse locations in Google Maps:

 

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Featured Events are listed first each day, highlighted by a photo. These are unique, popular, or annual events that we or our advertisers don’t want you to overlook.

 

Find more events and ideas for affordable living at Greater Seattle on the Cheap – Free things to do, cheap fun, discounts and deals in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area