Lighthouses in Florida Worth Exploring

Visit an iconic lighthouse while in the Sunshine State, as 29 of them stand tall in Florida. Although not all are open for public tours, they can be admired from a far.

Among one of the most visited, the Ponce de Leon lighthouse towers 175 feet high, the tallest in Florida. Built in the 1800's, the lighthouse guards the Ponce de Leon Inlet in Daytona Beach.

Tour the museum and climb up to admire the 360-degree views from the top.

Over on the west coast, pay a visit to the second oldest lighthouse in Florida, built in 1842. The St. Marks Lighthouse is located in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Florida Panhandle. Tour the 80-foot tower that is still in service, and head up to the observation deck for picturesque vistas.

Originally commissioned in 1895, Crooked River Lighthouse stands 100-foot tall off the Florida Panhandle and is still in use today.

Enjoy the view from the top and visit the Keeper's House Museum & Gift Shop for keepsakes and souvenirs.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Completed in 1886, the Ponce de Leon lighthouse towers 175 feet above the surrounding area and is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Built to replace an earlier lighthouse completed in 1835, the lighthouse guards the Ponce de Leon Inlet on the eastern Florida coast.

The Museum features many historical exhibits about the Daytona Beach area as well as some of the original lenses used by this and other lighthouses nearby in the 19th century.

The lighthouse was named a National Historic Landmark in 1998.

Visitors can climb to the top and admire the view – admission to the grounds, including the museum, is currently $5.

St. Marks Lighthouse

The second-oldest lighthouse in Florida, the St. Marks Lighthouse (also known as the St. Marks Light) is located within the Florida Panhandle's St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lighthouse is one of Crawfordville's most popular attractions.

Built since 1842, the lighthouse features an 80-foot tower and a giant reflector lens still in service. Don't miss the observation deck overlooking the refuge, bay, and the lighthouse, perfect for taking pictures.

Crooked River Lighthouse

Originally commissioned in 1895, this 100-foot tall lighthouse guided shipping off the Florida Panhandle for 100 years.

After its 1995 deactivation, a local civic group raised money to replace the lens and it once again serves as a navigation aid. Even better, you can visit the lighthouse and enjoy the view from the top.

The Keeper's House Museum & Gift Shop is open from noon-5pm Thursday through Sunday.

You can climb the Crooked River Lighthouse on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $5 per person.

Be sure to note all climbers must be 44 inches tall. The lighthouse is closest to Apalachicola.