The 10 Most Jaw-Dropping Lighthouses In Cape Cod

Cape Cod occupies a unique place in the minds of many. Rich in history and natural beauty, with beaches that are often described as idyllic, Cape Cod is an iconic American beach vacation destination. However, this roughly 60-mile, hook-shaped peninsula jutting off the coast of Massachusetts is perhaps best known for its menagerie of emblematic lighthouses. There are over a dozen historic lighthouses on Cape Cod, though public access varies widely. While there is somewhat of a classic lighthouse look many people associate with Cape Cod, the reality is these lights are far from a homogeneous group. Each has its own distinct character, and many look drastically different from one another.

With that in mind, narrowing down Cape Cod's lighthouses down to 10 is no easy task. The lights below stand out for different reasons, from their architecture to their remote surroundings. A well-planned Cape Cod lighthouse road trip can provide views of several, but not all of them. That's because some of the most alluring lighthouses are only accessible by boat, four-wheel-drive vehicle, or long hikes over sand. No matter how you get there, each of these iconic lighthouses is well worth visiting.

Any list of lighthouses in Cape Cod has to start with Highland Light, also known as Cape Cod Light. Why? Because lighthouse history on Cape Cod started with Highland Light, the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the Cape. Located in Truro, Highland Light was originally built in 1797 at the behest of President George Washington. However, that original structure was eventually replaced. The stately white tower you see today was built in 1857. Next to the tower stands the historic keeper's cottage, a classic Cape Cod clapboard design that enhances the light's scenic appeal.

Although Highland Light is the oldest and tallest of Cape Cod lighthouses, Nauset Light is arguably the most famous. If you want to see THE iconic Cape Cod lighthouse, as in the one that adorns the Cape Cod Potato Chips bag, this is it. This red-and-white lighthouse sits along the Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham, home to one of the best beaches in America. During scheduled seasonal open houses, visitors can climb the tower to the lookout room for panoramic views of the surrounding seashore and Atlantic Ocean.

Race Point Lighthouse is a classic white lighthouse tower located near the northern tip of Cape Cod. While the tower and accompanying keeper's cottage are picturesque, this historic light is considered a jaw-dropper more for its surroundings than its architecture. The lighthouse sits amid the dunes near Race Point Beach, a stretch of remote sand known for spectacular sunsets. Race Point Light is seasonally open for public tours and overnight stays, but reaching it requires hiking across the beach or using a permitted four-wheel-drive vehicle. The striking scenery of this remote lighthouse makes the extra effort part of the experience.

Chatham Lighthouse, on the southeastern corner of Cape Cod, has served since 1808, though the original structure was replaced twice. Today, this white conical lighthouse, along with the red-roofed keeper's cottage, offers free guided tours on select summer Wednesdays. Visitors can also view and photograph the picturesque lighthouse from either the beach or Lighthouse Beach overlook year-round. Movie buffs may recognize Chatham Light from the 2016 Disney film "The Finest Hours." Because the lighthouse and cottage face east, they are well illuminated with soft light as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, making early morning an ideal time for photographers to visit.

Nobska Point Lighthouse, a rather stately-looking white tower on Nobska Point in Falmouth, offers jaw-dropping views of Woods Hole, Elizabeth Island and Martha's Vineyard. Its grounds and surrounding waters are often cited among the most scenic areas in Cape Cod. Tours are available during summer and early fall, and private tours can be arranged with advance notice. The lighthouse grounds are open year-round, so visitors can view the tower and accompanying gray clapboard keeper's cottage even when tours are not available.

Located in Provincetown, New England's easternmost beach retreat, is the unique Wood End Lighthouse. This rectangular light tower is jaw-dropping for its simplicity, shape, and surroundings. The relatively small Wood End Light was constructed on a remote stretch of land at the entrance to Provincetown Harbor. Visitors can reach the lighthouse by hiking along the breakwater. Although visitors cannot tour Wood End Lighthouse or its accompanying outbuilding, the small structures stand in stark contrast to the otherwise barren acres of surrounding dunes, making it a favorite spot for sightseers and photographers. 

Sandy Neck Lighthouse in Barnstable has a classic Cape Cod look, with a conical brick light tower and gray clapboard keeper's cottage. Although shifting sands have left the lighthouse farther inland over time, it remains just steps from the water's edge, guarding the entrance to Barnstable Harbor.  Since it is privately owned, tours are not available. However, visitors can enjoy views of the lighthouse from the water by boat, paddleboard, or kayak. Hiking trails in the nearby marshland and beach also offer excellent views.

Situated on a small sandy island south of Chatham, Monomoy Point Light is a jaw-dropper simply because it looks so different from other Cape Cod lighthouses. When the lighthouse was first constructed, the land upon which it sat was actually a peninsula, before storms and erosion formed two islands. The lighthouse, a massive red metal conical tower flanked by a gray clapboard cottage, is unlike any other structure on Cape Cod. Today, the light is located within the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge and can only be accessed via boat or by hiking through the marsh that surrounds it. 

The Three Sisters Lighthouses in Eastham often leave visitors with their mouths agape due to their size, as well as the fact that there are three of them. The original "sisters" were built as a matching set of relatively short, conical masonry lighthouses standing just 15 feet tall. They were later replaced by three movable wooden towers, each 22 feet high, with lantern housings adding another 7 feet. After a change from public to private ownership, the sisters were eventually acquired by the National Park Service. They were then restored and opened to the public, where visitors can stroll the grounds and view the three diminutive lighthouses.

At the eastern end of the sandy strip of land extending seaward from Provincetown, Long Point Lighthouse is striking because of its isolated location and simple design. Located within Cape Cod National Seashore, the lighthouse is a square tower accompanied by a small storage building. Like Wood End Light, on the opposite side of the same strip of land, Long Point Lighthouse can be reached only by boat or by completing a 6-mile round-trip hike. Though the lighthouse is not open for tours, the scenery and uniqueness make it well worth the trip.