Last Updated on July 29, 2025
Lighthouses are majestic structures hugging coastlines and guiding mariners. They remain steadfast in all types of weather, unshaken by fierce winds, biting rain, or baking sun. Blaring foghorns and flashing lights beam warnings of potential dangers.
Did you ever wonder about the life of the lighthouse keeper? These courageous people often lived in isolation keeping close watch over the lights. How did they spend their days and how did they keep those lights burning?
Though lighthouse beacons today are automated, you can still choose to live like a lighthouse keeper in Saugerties, NY, if only for a few days. Saugerties Lighthouse, one of the seven remaining on the Hudson River, has bed and breakfast accommodations; it’s the only one on the Hudson where you can stay overnight. The watchtower is located about 100 miles north of New York City in Ulster County, bordering the Catskill Mountains.
History of the Lighthouse
Saugerties was an important trading port along the river in the 1800s. The original lighthouse was built in 1834 to warn ships of the dangerous shoals at the mouth of the Esopus Creek. In 1869, the present-day structure was built on a large, circular stone base. The last lighthouse keeper lived here until 1954, when the U.S. Coast Guard installed an automated light.
As the years passed, the lighthouse fell into a state of neglect and disrepair and was slated for demolition by the Coast Guard Service.
In 1976, the Saugerties Arts Council formed a committee to save the lighthouse. Due to the efforts of local historian, Ruth Reynolds Glount, wife of Chester Glount, a long-time lighthouse tender, and Elissa Barry, an architect, the Saugerties Lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse was saved, but the task began to restore and refurbish this historic structure.
The Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy formed in 1985 to acquire and take on the lighthouse restoration. After several years of tireless work and effort, the lighthouse was returned to its former glory for future generations to enjoy. The Saugerties Lighthouse lives on as an aid to navigation and a treasured piece of history.
Now a Bed-and-Breakfast
The present-day brick lighthouse and tower function as a bed-and-breakfast operated by the Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy and available for rental four nights a week (Thursday-Sunday). Docent-led tours are available for visitors on Sundays from 12pm-3pm from June thru September. Private, small-group tours can also be arranged.
For overnight visitors, there are two bedrooms located on the second floor decorated with quaint, cozy, turn-of-the-century décor. Each room has a double bed and early colonial furnishings. Linens and towels are provided.
Pictures adorning the walls illustrate life on the river. The West Room has windows facing toward the Catskill Mountains. The larger East Room looks out onto the Hudson River. Both rooms are heated for winter visits, but there is no air conditioning. Cool breezes make the house comfortable during warmer months. Both rooms must be rented together.
The second floor also houses a small maritime museum with lighthouse artifacts and information about the area’s history. A model of the 1835 watchtower along with the original, beehive, sixth-order, Fresnel lens are also on display.
Upon entering the first floor of the lighthouse, there is a parlor with wrap-around windows for relaxing with your favorite book, playing board games or just sit back and listening to the river flowing by. There is no television and Wi-Fi can be sketchy.
The lighthouse also includes a small refrigerator for snacks and beverages, and the first floor houses a kitchen area. The first floor has the only bathroom on the premises with a shower, sink, and composting toilet due to its remote location.
A hearty, family-style breakfast of coffee, tea, juice, scrambled eggs, sausage, and pancakes with local maple syrup is served daily by gracious innkeepers, Anna and Patrick.
As an overnight lighthouse keeper, you have the privilege of climbing up the narrow ladder to the lantern room in the lighthouse tower. From this vantage point, you can see for miles. There are breathtaking, panoramic views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.
Of course, the fresh, crisp, country air and outdoor activities are best enjoyed from the deck on the side of the lighthouse. A propane grill and picnic tables are available for use during your stay.
Getting to the Lighthouse
Although the Saugerties Lighthouse sits on the Hudson River and can be reached by boat with docking available, you reach it from land via the Ruth Reynolds Glount Nature Preserve. There is a public parking area next to the U.S. Coast Guard station on Lighthouse Drive, but it’s important to note that this parking area may fill up quickly, particularly on weekends. A marked trail pointing to the lighthouse begins at the parking area.
Your journey starts on a half-mile nature trail sure to delight hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers. One should be mindful to travel light and wear closed shoes as tidal waters do rise at varying times of the day. The serenity of a walk in the woods along with the sights and sounds of native birds, plants, and animals of the wetlands make the trek well worth it.
Along the nature trail, you can see osprey, snapping turtles, and wood frogs. Butterflies and dragonflies flutter about as they move along the native plants and flowers. There are signs along the path to both guide and inform. When you reach the wooden walkway, you’ll begin to hear the river currents and see the lighthouse tower. This delightful, adventurous walk builds anticipation along the way and adds to the excitement of your lighthouse stay.
Getting to Know Saugerties
Saugerties, once named one of the 10 coolest small towns by Budget Travel, is a five-minute ride from the lighthouse. Saugerties is derived from the Dutch meaning “Little Sawyer” or referring to a “sawmill,” dating back to early Dutch settlers in the 1700s. When the lighthouse was built in 1869, Saugerties was a bustling, industrial town noted for mills, quarries, and ice harvesting. Today, it’s known for its eclectic shops, antique browsing, and local artisans.
Throughout the year, Saugerties offers plenty of things to explore. One of the main yearly events is the Annual Studio Artists Tour taking place in 2025 on August 9-10. Now in its 23rd year, guests can visit the private studios of 45 artists who use a variety of medium to create works of arts. There are painters utilizing watercolors, oils, or acrylics, woodworkers building furniture, and jewelry makers creating one-of-a-kind pieces. This is a rare opportunity to share in the creative process with local artists.
J.J. Newberry Artisan Market is a restored vintage building that once housed the local five and dime general store. It has 14-foot, tin ceilings and plenty of space to roam from vendor to vendor. Thirty-five local artisans from the Hudson Valley sell unique clothing, jewelry, pottery, and handmade items that are one-of-a-kind.
If you prefer to further explore the outdoors, a visit to Opus 40 is a must. Rising from an abandoned bluestone quarry at the foot of the Overlook Mountains, visionary sculptor Harvey Fite created a natural gem spreading over six acres. He spent 38 years carving the abandoned quarry to create a sculpture park. The centerpiece is a 13-foot, 9-ton monolith that dominates the landscape. Within the park there are trails, gardens, the Quarryman’s museum, and the sculptor’s home.
The annual Hudson Valley Garlic Festival taking place the last weekend of September in 2025 draws big crowds. People travel far and wide for the harvest of the “Stinking Rose,” as it’s fondly called. Starting as a promotional event in 1989 to support New York State grown garlic, it has now grown into a two-day event. There are multiple stages with entertainment, lectures, food, and opportunities to stock up on all things ‘garlic.’
Saugerties features restaurants with mouth-watering menus to satisfy any palate. I consulted with my good friend Jacqui who has lived in Saugerties for almost ten years. Miss Lucy’s Kitchen in the central business district is her favorite. Rustic, homey, and reasonably priced, the menu includes hearty soups, tacos of the day, brisket sandwiches, and grass-fed beef burgers. The dinner menu offers steaks, seafood, house-smoked ribs, and fresh pasta.
Saugerties, New York is a charming town magnificently situated between the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains. History, arts, and natural beauty combine to create memorable moments for all ages. A stay at an authentic lighthouse is true icing on the cake.
