Of the existing lights, approximately 400 are operational aids to navigation. Many additional stations continue in operation with the optic placed outside the tower's lantern, generally mounted on a steel pole. Automation has permitted the Coast Guard to lease many stations to state, local, and private groups for use as museums, parks and recreation areas, research laboratories, and nature preserves. Finding an adaptive use for those stations in isolated, inaccessible locations has proved challenging. Lighthouses in accessible locations have become popular tourist attractions and educational resources.
Some lighthouses report annual visitation in the tens of thousands.
Approximately 250 stations are accessible to the public . Thirty-five light stations fall within boundaries of national parks . As the U.S. Coast Guard and other caretakers look for new uses for the obsolete towers and nature takes its toll, the issues surrounding lighthouse preservation have become more critical. The popular appeal of lighthouses has created a tremendous body of support for their preservation, especially at the local level. State and national groups have also organized to promote the cause of lighthouse preservation.