IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to current access restrictions aboard NAS Pensacola, civilians cannot access the Lighthouse on their own. For civilians seeking access, please see our special tour options here.

Plan Your Visit

Know Before You Go

  • Civilian access requires advanced planning - Book Now!
  • Follow all ID requirements for base access (see banner at top of page for current restrictions)
  • Wear shoes with an enclosed back
  • Climbers must be at least 44" tall or 7 years old. Children 12 & under can not climb without a ticketed adult.
  • Use the Public Gate on Blue Angel Parkway
  • No oversized purses or backpacks allowed on property

Hours of operation

Monday - Thursday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Friday - Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm 
The last admission is sold 20 minutes prior to closing.

Please note that on days the Blue Angels are scheduled to fly, the Lighthouse Tower will be open only to guests with reservations to watch the show. General Admission guests will not be able to climb the tower until the Blue Angels land. The museum and grounds will be open for all guests in the meantime.

We are closed on the following holidays:
Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day


Daily Admission

Includes access to all museum exhibits, grounds, and the climb to the top of the lighthouse tower

Adults $9.50
12 & under $6.50
65 & up $6.50
Military Member $6.50
Public Access Tour $15.00

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Access Restrictions

Currently, only DoD ID card holders and certain Veterans Health Identification card holders may access NAS Pensacola to visit the Lighthouse.

For civilians seeking access, visit our Events Page.


Security Gate Procedures

Driving Directions

Parking and Entrances

For Your Safety


Climb Into History!

Built in 1859, the Pensacola Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation.

Come climb the tower, take a ghost hunt, or get the best seats in the house for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice flights!

Tour the Richard C. Callaway Museum - housed in the restored 1869 keeper’s quarters - where you'll explore a wide range of exhibits. The details on this page will allow you to make the most of your visit.

Security Gate Procedures

The Pensacola Lighthouse is located on Naval Air Station Pensacola, which is an active military base.

  • When approaching the base, please be prepared to present the security personnel with proper identification (such as a driver's license) for yourself and any passengers who are 18 or older. Please see the "Note About Exceptions" below for more information regarding accepted IDs. For more information, click here to visit the NAS Visitor Information webpage.
  • Ensure all insurance/registration paperwork for the vehicle is up to date and in the vehicle.
  • Plan to arrive early if you have tickets for a scheduled event due to the potential for delays at the gate.
  • Please click here to read the NAS Driving Rules & Regulations, especially when driving a motorcycle onto the base. 
  • No weapons are allowed on NAS Pensacola, even when the owner has a concealed carry permit. 

    NOTE ABOUT EXCEPTIONS: Please note, visitors from Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Minnesota, or Washington may require additional identification to enter through the security gate of NAS Pensacola.

    From the U.S. Department of Defense: "Defense Department installations will no longer accept driver’s licenses from Illinois, Missouri and New Mexico as proof of identity for access control purposes, according to DoD officials. Non-enhanced licenses from Minnesota or Washington also are no longer accepted. Those attempting to gain physical access to DoD installations must show an alternate form of identification, such as a passport." 

    Other acceptable alternate forms of identification include: 
              -Passport
              -Social Security Card
              -Voter's Registration
              -State or Federal Work ID
              -Concealed Weapons ID

Driving Directions

From Perdido Key, FL and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, AL:
From 292, cross Perdido Key Bridge and take the first right onto Gulf Beach Hwy. Then turn right onto Blue Angel Parkway and drive through the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. Continue down Blue Angel Parkway/Radford Boulevard. The Pensacola Lighthouse will be on the right.

From I-10 East or West:
Take Exit 7 (Pine Forest Road, 297). Head south about 1.5 miles and make a right onto Blue Angel Parkway. Drive about 11 miles to the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. Continue down Blue Angel Parkway/Radford Boulevard. Pensacola Lighthouse will be on the right.

From Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Ft. Walton, and Destin:
From Highway 98 to Pensacola Bay Bridge, veer left onto Bayfront Parkway, which turns into Main Street. Take a left onto Barrancas Avenue, which will turn into Gulf Beach Highway. Continue on Gulf Beach Highway and turn left onto Blue Angel Parkway and drive through the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. Continue down Blue Angel Parkway/Radford Boulevard. The Pensacola Lighthouse will be on the right.

Parking
The main parking lot is located on Radford Boulevard, and a second smaller lot is available off of Shell Road. Parking spaces for those with disabilities are available in our main parking lot, to the right of the fence line. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair-accessible via a ramp on the east side of the building.

From Orange Beach/Perdido Key:

From Pensacola:

For Your Safety

  • The first floor of the museum is wheelchair-accessible via a ramp on the east side of the building.
  • Climbers must be 44” or 7 years of age to be allowed up the tower
  • Children may not be carried up the tower, even in secure carriers.
  • Shoes must have a secure back (no flip-flops!), and may not have a spike heel. You may go up the tower barefoot if your shoes do not meet these requirements. 
  • No smoking, food, drinks, pets, or wet clothing are permitted in the tower or museum.
  • Leave backpacks, camera bags, and other oversized bags in your vehicle. They cannot be taken into the museum or tower, and cannot be left in the gift shop.