Visit Historic Rose Island Lighthouse off the Shore of Newport, RI

Touring lighthouses is a traditional part of the New England vacation experience and Rhode Island visitors have a unique opportunity to visit a very special lighthouse in Newport. The Rose Island Lighthouse is an independent lighthouse that has been carefully cleaned and restored to its original 1912 condition.

Rose Island Lighthouse is located on an 18-acre island a mile off the shore of Newport, and it was first lit during the late 19th century. The Lighthouse was abandoned during the 1970s after the Pell Newport Bridge was built, and by the 1980s it had been badly vandalized and stood in extreme disrepair.

 Today Rose Island Lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and its restoration has been funded by donations, not tax dollars. Restoration efforts started with the organization of the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation in 1984.

 During restoration, care was taken to ensure Rose Island Lighthouse is as energy efficient and as “green” as possible. Not only the Lighthouse’s electricity and heat, but water and sewer systems too are environmentally sensitive.

 Since 1993, Rose Island Tower’s light has been lit, and it is currently charted as a private navigation aid. One of the best things about Rose Island Lighthouse is that its keepers are volunteers. You can sign on to be the Rose Island Lighthouse keeper for a week and enjoy living a self-sufficient lifestyle during your stay.   

 You can tour Rose Island Light Station daily from July through Labor Day, although access to the lighthouse may be limited due to restoration efforts. Part of Fort Hamilton on Rose Island is also available for tours. You can enjoy picnicking, fishing, bird watching, and beachcombing on Rose Island. Swimming is permitted, but no lifeguards are on duty. You can take the Jamestown-Newport Ferry to access Rose Island or you may pull in by kayak or small boat.

 The Rose Island Wildlife Refuge can be viewed after August 15, and visitors can then walk the perimeter of the Island along the beaches. The Wildlife Refuge is closed during nesting season from April 1 through August 15. Dilapidated Navy Torpedo Station buildings from WWI and II are still on site on the Island and it is very important that visitors stay away from these extremely unsafe areas.

 If you would like to spend a night at Rose Island Lighthouse, you can become an overnight keeper rather than signing on for a week. You can reserve your overnight stay at the Lighthouse and look forward to an authentic historic lighthouse keeper’s experience. Although kitchen and cook ware, linens and cleaning supplies are provided, you do need to carry in all food, beverages and ice for your stay, with the exception of drinking water.  All trash must be carried out, as well. Or, if you would just like to visit the lighthouse during the day and stay in a more traditional hotel, you can find several options in the Newport area on HotelsCombined.com.

Related posts:

1. Museum of Newport History – Newport, Rhode Island
2. Discover History, Hear Music and Have Fun at Fort Adams in Newport