This is one of the smallest but most scenic lighthouses in Rhode Island. Built in 1890 and still an active navigation aid for vessels in the Narragansett Bay, the lighthouse is not open, but the rocks and surrounding grounds are easily accessible.

Despite being located in a popular tourist town, this small lighthouse is somewhat off the average tourist’s radar. Multiple composition opportunities and the changing direction of the sun make this a location that can be visited multiple times throughout the year. Bring a wide-angle lens and plan on arriving at least an hour before sunset.  

Photos and location summary by Matt Reynolds

I would rate the difficulty of this trail a 1-2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The distance from the parking lot to the lighthouse is less than 1/4 mile but can become quite muddy after a recent rain or snowfall. There are steps going down to the lighthouse or you can hike to the left or right - both may requiring some rock scrambling.

The only difficulty or danger is if you choose to venture onto the rocks beyond the lighthouse. These rocks are jagged and next to the ocean, so be careful. Proper footwear is required. While the rocks usually are not particularly slick, the closer to the water’s edge you go, the more chance you take and a fall into the ocean here could be disastrous.

This location is best using an ultra wide to wide angle lens (12mm - 35mm).

The lighthouse is relatively small - and due to the way it is built into the rocks, you need to be fairly close to the lighthouse to capture it. If you move further back, you can capture the top of the lighthouse, but the base will be obscured. A super wide-angle lens will allow you to get close to the lighthouse, but still include the surrounding rocks and water. I would recommend a 12-24mm, 14-24mm, 16-35mm or similar range prime lens for this location. Except for trying to capture the bridge in back of the lighthouse, I don’t think you would use a longer length than 35mm in this location. Panoramic images will be difficult to stitch with the moving water.

The image above was taken @ 12 mm on a full frame camera. I used f11 to keep the rocks closest to me in focus and 1/5 second shutter speed to capture some action in the waves over the rocks.

Make sure to arrive in advance of sunset with enough time to scout a composition on the rocks. The tide is not a big factor here, but each day will bring about changes in appearance based on where the water is reaching and the power (or calmness) of the sea that day.

Try to incorporate the action of the ocean against the rocks. To do so, you need to be on site to see what works best for a given sunset. Getting as low as possible is not always the best answer - as the way the lighthouse is built into the rock can obstruct your view. If you are too low, move to the left of the lighthouse. The height of your tripod can also change the look of the shot when using an ultra-wide lens. Experiment with different prospectives before settling on one. Ideally, you can find a location where the direction of the pointing rocks and / or splashing waves contribute to your composition (while standing in a safe place for you or your gear). Your best chance to capture water on the rocks is …

Checking the Tides

It is good practice to check the tides when going to locations on the ocean (beneficial for compositional reasons and of course for safety). Although Castle Hill does not experience drastic shifts due to it being in a bay, it is still valuable to know if the water may come up or recede during the time you are there. Here is a link to check out the tides for The Castle Hill Lighthouse.

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Our location summaries are written by experienced photographers - with practical information for planning your adventure - and with tips to getting the best shot

xx°27'5.80"N xxx°50'16.64"W

Sea Level Ft. Elevation

CLICK HERE to get driving directions to Castle Hill Inn parking area

To get to The Castle Hill Lighthouse, drive directly to the Castle Hill Inn (a luxury 40-acre resort property directly off Ocean Ave. in historic Newport). Parking is right next to the main building (mansion). It is best to park at the backside of the lot (opposite direction of the Inn).

The Castle Hill Lighthouse sets on the land adjacent to a premium resort and restaurant called The Castle Hill Inn. The Inn does not own the lighthouse or the water’s edge. However, they do own the parking lot and maintain the trail to the lighthouse. Please be …

A steady tripod and wide-angle lens are all you need in this location. You can experiment with filters if you want to smooth out the ocean.

• Proper footwear for walking on potentially slick rocks over the ocean.

• In summer, bug spray is highly recommended (not necessary in the winter).

Current Weather

Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.

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