The St. Augustine Lighthouse stands on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Florida, its black-and-white spiral stripes crowned with a red lantern. Built between 1871 and 1874, the tower and grounds are owned and run by the nonprofit St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, which opens the climb to the public. It's a natural anchor for an RV trip to Florida's historic Atlantic coast.
Best season — Fall through spring (mild, less humid)
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
Florida (Anastasia Island, St. Augustine)
Built
1871-1874 (first lit 1874)
Operator
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum (nonprofit)
Daymark
Black-and-white spiral with red lantern
On the ground
The tower's bold candy-stripe daymark and red lantern room are a landmark of the nation's oldest continuously occupied European-founded city, set just across the Matanzas River from St. Augustine's historic district.
Beyond the climb, the site is a working maritime museum with exhibits on shipwrecks, keepers, and coastal Florida history — a depth that makes it a half-day stop rather than a quick photo pull-off.
The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation operated by a nonprofit museum, so confirm current climbing hours, admission, and any height or age restrictions on the official site, and scout nearby beach campgrounds for your RV.
Official sources
- St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum Government source
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Planning an RV trip near St. Augustine Lighthouse: An RV Traveler's Guide?
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