Highland Light, also called Cape Cod Light, is an active lighthouse in North Truro within Cape Cod National Seashore. You can visit the grounds and museum exhibits, and take a seasonal tour of the tower.
- Location: 27 Highland Light Road, North Truro, Massachusetts.
- Typical visitor season: Early May through the end of October.
- Usual hours: Temporarily closed
- Climbing basics: Tower climbers must be at least 48 inches tall, and shoes are required.
The Lighthouse and Its Setting
Highland Light is Cape Cod’s first lighthouse, with a history that began in 1797. The present 66-foot brick tower and keeper’s house replaced earlier structures in 1857.
Cliff erosion later threatened the light station, so it was moved 450 feet inland. The light was relit on November 3, 1996, and remains an active aid to navigation. The National Park Service owns the tower, while the U.S. Coast Guard maintains its optics.
Tours and Seasonal Access
Highland Light’s tower tours and Keeper’s Shop are typically available from early May through the end of October. The usual hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with the last tour at 4:30 p.m.
The former keeper’s house contains a gift shop and museum exhibits. Tower access has climbing rules: you must be at least 48 inches tall, with no exceptions. Anyone aged 17 or younger who climbs must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or older.
Shoes are required for tower visits. Closed-toed shoes are recommended, and flip-flops are not allowed. Leave food, drinks, backpacks, and tripods in your vehicle. Pets are not allowed in the Keeper’s Shop or lighthouse tower.
Grounds, Parking and Accessibility
The site has auto parking, benches, seasonal restrooms, an information kiosk, historical and interpretive exhibits, and a scenic-view and photo spot. Cape Cod National Seashore is accessed via Route 6; the park is 20 miles east of Hyannis, Massachusetts.
The seashore is open year-round, though some visitor facilities close from November through April. National seashore beaches, parking areas, and trails are open from 6 a.m. to midnight; the Highlands Light parking area is closed to entry overnight from midnight to 6 a.m. Seasonal lighthouse access is separate from general park access.
Planning a Visit from the Hotel Area
Highland Light is about 4.7 miles from Blue Sea Motor Inn in North Truro. For seasonal tower access, check the official site before you go; hours and access can vary. The lighthouse’s usual visitor season runs from early May through the end of October, while the broader seashore remains open year-round.
Temporarily closed
This place is listed as temporarily closed. Check the official site before you go.
Last checked November 2026.
Highland House is not the only local museum stop: the Old Harbor Life-Saving Museum offers another look at the area’s maritime history.
If you plan to climb, check the height and age requirements before setting out, and bring shoes suitable for the tower visit. Pets cannot enter the tower or Keeper’s Shop.
North Truro and Provincetown are linked by local travel routes; details on getting around North Truro and Provincetown can help you plan the wider outing.
FAQs
Is Highland Light open year-round?
Temporarily closed. Cape Cod National Seashore is open year-round, but Highland Light’s tower tours and Keeper’s Shop are typically available from early May through the end of October.
How tall is Highland Light?
The present brick tower is 66 feet tall.
Can children climb the tower?
Climbers must be at least 48 inches tall. Climbers aged 17 or younger must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or older.
Are pets allowed inside Highland Light?
No. Pets are not allowed in the lighthouse tower or Keeper’s Shop.