America’s Tallest Lighthouses and Where to Find Them
The United States is home to some surprisingly massive lighthouses, many of which tower far higher than people expect. While they were originally built to guide ships safely to shore, these coastal landmarks have become some of the most visually striking and overlooked structures in the country.
From historic beacons that have stood for centuries to towering structures that still operate today, these lighthouses vary widely in height, design, and location. Some rise dramatically above rocky cliffs, while others stand alone against the open ocean, built to withstand extreme weather and relentless waves.
This list highlights the tallest lighthouses in America and the stories behind them. Some are famous, others are hidden gems, but all of them offer a fascinating look at the scale, history, and engineering behind these iconic coastal landmarks.
50. Bald Head Light
Located in North Carolina, the lighthouse is 100 feet tall.
49. Marcus Hook Light
Located in Delaware, the lighthouse is 100 feet tall.
48. Summersville Lake
Located in West Virginia, the lighthouse is 104 feet tall.
47. St. Simons Island Light
Located in Georgia, the lighthouse is 104 feet tall.
46. Craighill Channel Lower Range Rear Light
Located in Baltimore Harbor in Maryland, the lighthouse is 105 feet tall.
45. Grays Harbor Light
Located in Washington, the lighthouse is 107 feet tall.
44. Little Sable Point
Located in Michigan, the lighthouse is 107 feet tall.
43. Jupiter Inlet Light
Located in Florida, the lighthouse is 108 feet tall.
42. Wind Point Light
Located in Wisconsin, the lighthouse is 108 feet tall.
41. Presque Isle Light
Located in Michigan, the lighthouse is 109 feet tall.
40. Stannard Rock Light
Located in Lake Superior in Michigan, the lighthouse is 110 feet tall.
39. Montauk Point Light
Located in New York, the lighthouse is 110 feet tall.
38. Rawley Point Light
Located in Wisconsin, the lighthouse is 111 feet tall.
37. Big Sable Point Light
Located in Michigan, the lighthouse is 112 feet tall.
36. Grosse Point Light
Located in Illinois, the lighthouse is 113 feet tall.
35. Pigeon Point Light
Located in California, the lighthouse is 115 feet tall.
34. Point Arena Light
Located in California, the lighthouse is 115 feet tall.
33. Petit Manan Light
Located in Maine, the lighthouse is 119 feet tall.
32. Mobile Point Light
Located in Alabama, the lighthouse is 120 feet tall.
31. Sand Key Light
Located in Florida, the lighthouse is 120 feet tall.
30. White Shoal Light
Located in Michigan, the lighthouse is 121 feet tall.
29. Cape Ann Light
Located in Massachusetts, the lighthouse is 124 feet tall.
28. Sand Island Light
Located near Dauphin Island in Alabama, the lighthouse is 131 feet tall.
27. Boon Island Light
Located in Maine, the lighthouse is 133 feet tall.
26. Hunting Island Light
Located on Hunting Island in South Carolina, the lighthouse is 136 feet tall.
25. Rock of Ages Light
Located on Lake Superior in Michigan, the lighthouse is 137 feet tall.
24. Moloka'i Light
Located in Hawaii, the lighthouse is 138 feet tall. It is the tallest lighthouse in the Hawaiian Islands.
23. Charleston Light
Located in South Carolina, the lighthouse is 140 feet tall.
22. Assateague Light
Located in Virginia, the lighthouse is 142 feet tall.
21. Hillsboro Inlet Light
Located in Hillsboro Beach, Florida, the lighthouse is 142 feet tall.
20. Tybee Island Light
Located on Tybee Island in Savannah, Georgia, the lighthouse is 144 feet tall.
19. Oak Island Light
Located in North Carolina, the lighthouse is 148 feet tall.
18. Cape Romain Lighthouses
Located in South Carolina, the lighthouse is 150 feet tall.
17. Pensacola Light
Located in Florida, the lighthouse is 150 feet tall.
16. Cape Canaveral Light
Located in Florida, the lighthouse is 151 feet tall.
15. Dry Tortugas Light
Located in Key West, Florida, the lighthouse is 157 feet tall.
14. Cape May Light
Located in New Jersey, the lighthouse is 157 feet tall.
13. Bodie Island Light
Located in North Carolina, the lighthouse is 158 feet tall.
12. Currituck Beach Light
Located in North Carolina, the lighthouse is 158 feet tall.
11. Morris Island Light
Located in South Carolina, the lighthouse is 161 feet tall.
10. Navassa Island Light
Located in the Caribbean Sea on Navassa island, the lighthouse is 162 feet tall. The island is uninhabited, but it is claimed by both the United States and Haiti.
9. Barnegat Light
Located in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, the lighthouse is 163 feet tall.
8. Cape Henry Light
Located in Fort Story, Virginia, the lighthouse is 164 feet tall.
7. St. Augustine Light
Located in St. Augustine, Florida, the lighthouse is 165 feet tall.
6. Fire Island Light
Located on Fire Island, New York, the lighthouse is 168 feet tall.
5. Cape Lookout Light
Located in North Carolina, the lighthouse is 169 feet tall.
4. Absecon Light
Located in New Jersey, the lighthouse is 171 feet tall.
3. Ponce de Leon Inlet Light
Located in Ponce Inlet, Florida, the lighthouse is 175 feet tall.
2. Cape Charles Light
Located in Virginia, the lighthouse is 191 feet tall. It is the tallest lighthouse in the state.
1. Cape Hatteras Light
Located in North Carolina, the lighthouse is 210 feet tall. This is the state's, but also the country's tallest lighthouse.
