Highlands: Lighthouse, Bunker and Trails

Highlands combines maritime and military history with trails through wooded, hilly landscapes. Twin Lights and Historic Battery Lewis represent two distinct historical topics; the Henry Hudson Trail and Hartshorne Woods Park add opportunities to spend time outdoors. When choosing a vacation rental in Highlands, consider whether culture, a paved rail trail, park trails or a ferry ride should shape your vacation.

Maritime History and Historic Battery Lewis

In Highlands, Twin Lights, the Navesink Light Station, houses a museum and offers programs that connect visitors with New Jersey’s nautical and commercial past. The lighthouse holds a prominent place in American maritime history: it was the first lighthouse to use a Fresnel lens. Here, a specific chapter of maritime history meets a museum and visitor programs.

Historic Battery Lewis tells a different story. The renovated former military bunker is in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Woods Park in Highlands. Built with concrete, steel and earth-camouflaged features, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can walk through the bunker, explore its different rooms and learn more about its military history from the exhibits. Free guided tours are offered from late May through mid-October. Check the dates before your trip.

Parkland and Trails

Hartshorne Woods Park is an 831-acre hilly, wooded area with views of the Navesink River. Its trails are designated for walking, hiking, cycling and horseback riding. This gives visitors several ways to get moving in the same park landscape, while the hills, woods and river views shape the scenery.

Another outdoor option is the Henry Hudson Trail, a paved path along a former railroad corridor. It is 24 miles long and 10 feet wide. Its northern section runs along Sandy Hook Bay to Popamora Point on the border between Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. The trail’s Popamora Point location is at 369 Shore Drive, Highlands, New Jersey 07732. Comparing the two helps with choosing a day’s activities: the Henry Hudson Trail stands out for its long paved rail corridor and its dimensions, while Hartshorne Woods Park offers hilly woodland and trails for several activities. Trail conditions and closures may change; check before setting out.

Ferry Connections to Cities

Frequent high-speed passenger ferries run daily to Manhattan and Jersey City from terminals in the Borough of Highlands. If a ferry ride is part of your travel plans, this connection may factor into your decision to choose Highlands as a vacation destination. Schedules and service may change; check the current schedule before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Asbury Park, Wall Township, Red Bank, Howell, Hazlet, Middletown, Freehold Township, Neptune City

To the regional travel overview: Monmouth.