Lighthouse Keeper Program

Stay a Week … Make Memories for a Lifetime

The New Dungeness Lighthouse Keeper Program provides you, your family, and friends a rare opportunity to spend a week at one of the best restored light stations in the country. Your time at the end of the Dungeness Spit will be filled with the sights and sounds of wildlife, surf, marine traffic, and the laughter of visitors and your fellow keepers. From the time you are driven to the Lighthouse in one of our four-wheel drive transfer vehicles until you return, you will escape reality and, for a short time, walk in the shoes of a lighthouse keeper. In addition to the memories you create, you will become part of a special group of people who are helping to preserve the lighthouse for future generations by taking care of this iconic landmark for a week.

Who Can Be a Keeper?

All NDLSA members are eligible to become lighthouse keepers.  Children keepers MUST be six years old or older and at least four adults (18 years or older) are required on the Station. You can reserve one or two bedrooms or the entire keeper’s house.  If you reserve one or two bedrooms, the other rooms may be reserved by other keepers, who will quickly become new friends. Keepers normally communicate with each other prior to their scheduled stay to discuss meals, room preference, and interests.  A full house accommodates up to eight people (three queen beds and two twin beds) though four to six people are more typical. The Light Station may not be suitable for physically challenged persons. If you have concerns, ask when you make reservations.  Reserving the whole house (eight persons maximum) comes with a discount and is great for family reunions, a gathering of bird watchers or photographers, a get together for a group of old friends, or a girls (or guys) week out!   You still need to have four adults in the group and they all must be NDLSA members, but remember that family memberships cover all persons living in the same household. We must limit the maximum number of Keepers to eight.

How Do I Sign Up?

It is easy to become a Keeper:
  1. Check the availability calendar for dates that fit your schedule.  One thing to consider when making a reservation is the tide range during your planned stay. Some like to be at the Station when there are low tides in the daytime. Some prefer other tide ranges. So check the tide chart and see what works best for you. Also, note the transfer times on the availability calendar, since these vary according to the tides.
  2. If you are not already a member of NDLSA, sign up for an Individual ($35) or Family Membership ($50).
  3. When you find a date that fits your schedule, email the General Manager at scheduling@newdungenesslighthouse.com or call 360-683-6638. Discuss with him dates you would like to stay, how many will be in your party, and the mix of adults and children. Together, you can design a stay that fits your needs.
  4. After making the initial arrangements, you will receive a letter listing keeper names, number of rooms and dates of stay.  To confirm the reservation you will need to pay a $50/person, nonrefundable deposit.  Either mail a check made out to NDLSA to:  PO Box 1283, Sequim, WA 98382 or you can pay the deposit on-line .
  5. When you receive an invoice for the balance of your keeper fee, you can also pay via mail with a check or online.  The invoice amount is due upon receipt.
  6. Prior to your stay you will receive a Keeper Packet containing information about keeper duties, information for giving tours, a complete inventory of what is available at the lighthouse (e.g. kitchen items, appliances, etc.), directions to the transfer station, and emergency procedures.  You will also receive a DVD Keepers Overview Video that will help you get oriented prior to your visit to the lighthouse.  You can also view the video online in two parts (Part 1 and Part 2).  Reading this information and viewing the video will answer most of your questions about the program and make your stay more enjoyable.

Keeper Fees

The NDLSA receives no funds from any government agency and therefore relies on membership fees as well fees paid by keepers to maintain and restore the Light Station. It is these fees that help make the facility a beautiful place to visit and preserve it for future generations. As a keeper, you become part of a long line of individuals and families that have kept this light shining and open to the public for over 20 years.

2024 and 2025 Fees

The Keeper fees for 2024 are (per week):

  • Adults: $490 
  • Children 6-17 years old: $245
  • Whole House (for maximum of 8 adults): $2,940

The Keeper fees for 2025 are (per week):

  • Adults: $510
  • Children 6-17 years old: $255
  • Whole House (for maximum of 8 adults): $3,060

Payment due dates will be clearly indicated on the invoices.  Refund requests for emergencies or health issues will be handled on a case-by-case basis. For any questions regarding fees please call the General Manager at 360-683-6638.

You can pay by check (preferred) or on-line via our “SHOP” webpage.

    Keeper Duties

    While you do not need to stay up all night and tend the light, modern Keepers do have a few duties they need to perform while they are in charge of the Lighthouse.  The Keeper Packet and Keepers Video you receive (see above – How Do I Sign Up #6) will provide you with all the information you need for giving tours and performing your duties.  Most important is to greet visitors who have made the five-mile trek out and provide tours of the Lighthouse.  Other duties include raising and lowering the flag, watering the grass (with a manual underground sprinkler system), mowing when needed (once a week during the growing season), and polishing the brass in the tower at the end of the day. You’ll also be responsible for cleaning the public bathroom, vacuuming and/or sweeping in the tower and museum, and cleaning the Keeper’s Quarters (including laundry) before you leave. Splitting the tasks among fellow keepers makes it easy, keeps the place looking nice and provides a memorable experience for visitors.