New Hampshire - Lighthouses

New Hampshire’s lighthouses are sparse, but the views are spectacular

Because of its short ocean coastline, New Hampshire has fewer lighthouses than Maine and other New England states (and most of New Hampshire’s lighthouses are, in fact, on the large, inland Lake Sunapee). But New Hampshire has a standout lighthouse on the island of New Castle, at the entrance to the beautiful and lively Portsmouth Harbor. The Portsmouth Harbor Light is a dandy, and the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse offer several open houses to the facility in the summer and fall when visitors can climb to the lantern room a seen magnificent views of this wonderful and typically New England harbor. It is a unique lighthouse visit that lovers of these seacoast sentinels should not miss.

Our thanks to the generous help of Jeremy D'Entremont. See more lighthouses at www.lighthouse.cc. Photos by Jeremy D'Entremont.

Burkehaven Light
Lake Sunapee, NH

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Accessibility: Not open to the public. The facility: Present lighthouse built in 1983.

Herrick Cove Light
Lake Sunapee, NH

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Accessibility: Not open to the public. The facility: Station established in 1893.

Loon Island Light
Lake Sunapee, NH

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Accessibility: Not open to the public.The facility: Lighthouse built in 1960.

Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Off Route 1B
New Castle, NH  03854
Phone: 207-646-0245

Location: Fort Constitution, Piscataqua River, Portsmouth Harbor

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Accessibility: The area immediately around the lighthouse is not accessible to the public except during the open houses. The lighthouse can be seen from the Fort Constitution State Historic Site, on route 1B at the U.S. Coast Guard Station at New Castle (603-436-1552). The tower is open for occasional open houses and tours by appointment. Cruises are offered by the Granite State Whale Watch at 603-964-5545. The lighthouse also is known as Fort Point Light, New Castle Light, and Fort Constitution Light.
Tours: The lighthouse will be open for tours in 2007 from 1 to 5 p.m. on May 27, June 24, July 14 and 29, August 11 and 26, September 30, October 14. Tours are on a first come, first served basis; no reservations. Visitors may climb to the lantern room to see the magnificent view and to see the Fresnel lens up close. Volunteers will tell visitors about the history of the light station, and there will be souvenirs for sale. No children under 42 inches tall are allowed to climb to the top, and adults are not allowed to carry children up the stairs. Prepare to climb 44 stairs to the watch room and a 7-rung ladder to the lantern room. Suggested donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children is suggested.
The facility: Maintained by Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse (207-646-0245). Station established in 1771; present lighthouse built in 1878. Light is fixed green, visible for 12 nautical miles; fog signal is one blast every 10 seconds.

White Island Light (Isles of Shoals Light)
Rye, NH

Location: Southern tip of White Island, southernmost of the Isles of Shoals

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Accessibility: The island is not open to the public; the best views are from cruises to the Isles of Shoals. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation, owned by the State of New Hampshire. Lighthouse built in 1859. Light flashes white every 15 seconds; fog signal is one blast every 30 seconds.