The lighthouses of Maine are stuffed with historical past they usually have superb views of the Atlantic Ocean, so we took an enormous highway journey throughout the whole state not too long ago to see a number of the finest Maine lighthouses. This journey information is the outcome.
There are a grand complete of 65 historic lighthouses in Maine stretching all alongside the rocky coast of the state and its outer islands, and 55 of those buildings nonetheless have working lights maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of those have been guiding ships into secure harbor for tons of of years, and every one has a human story.
A number of the lighthouses can solely be seen and photographed from a distance, whereas others will allow you to look inside and climb to the highest of the sunshine tower. Some locations will even allow you to hire the keeper’s home and keep in a single day on the lighthouse, which is a good expertise!
There are a number of well-known lighthouses in Portland Maine which are straightforward to go to, and there are a couple of good lighthouses close to Acadia Nationwide Park as effectively. With a little bit of exploring, it’s also possible to discover some hidden gems that aren’t as busy with vacationers.
I hope you get pleasure from this map and listing of one of the best Maine lighthouses! This isn’t an entire listing of each single one, however these are simply a number of the prime ones to go to for my part. These ones are particularly accessible, photogenic, or fascinating!
Maine Lighthouses Map
To begin with, right here’s a Maine lighthouse map you should utilize to plan your individual journey. You possibly can click on the icons to get instructions and extra data for every focal point, however have in mind a number of the places on this map could also be approximate.
Greatest Lighthouses In Maine
1. Portland Head Mild
In fact, Maine’s most well-known lighthouse — the attractive and photogenic Portland Head Mild!
That is essentially the most photographed lighthouse in America, and doubtless the world. It has all the things you’d anticipate from a basic Maine lighthouse, with a dramatic rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
When you solely have time to go to one lighthouse in Maine, it needs to be this one. Portland Head Mild can also be the simplest lighthouse to go to in Maine because it’s situated only a 15 minute drive from town and the airport. The park is open to guests 12 months spherical from dawn to sundown.
Portland Head Mild — essentially the most well-known of all Maine lighthouses!
There are many fascinating tales behind the Portland Head Mild. It was first commissioned by George Washington in 1787, after which the constructing was completed in 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in Maine.
You’ll wish to finances a minimum of a pair hours to stroll alongside the shoreline and take photos, see the museum and reward store, eat lobster rolls from the meals vans, and stroll across the grounds at Fort Williams. When you look carefully, it’s also possible to catch a glimpse of one other lighthouse, the Ram Island Ledge Mild, within the distance.
The Portland Head Mild is free to go to, and parking can also be free when you don’t thoughts the brief stroll from the overflow parking space. There’s a small price for the museum, which you’ll be able to verify on their web site (and it additionally has a helpful map).
One other view of Portland Head Mild
2. Spring Level Ledge Mild
Situated only a 10 minute drive from the Portland Head Mild is one other lighthouse known as the Spring Level Ledge Mild. It’s the one caisson-style gentle station in america that guests can stroll to.
This lighthouse was inbuilt 1897 to guard ships coming into Portland Harbor from a harmful ledge or obstruction close to the delivery channel, which was inflicting boats to run aground.
The granite breakwater path was added in 1951 to attach the lighthouse to the mainland, and you should utilize this right this moment to stroll over to it and see the increase shut. Take word there are massive gaps between the rocks, so the trail might not be appropriate for small youngsters and aged people.
The Spring Level Ledge Mild is free to go to, and parking can also be free. It’s value a fast cease right here after you get executed on the Portland Head Mild. It’s enjoyable to take a seat and watch the boats go by, and it’s also possible to see the historic Fort Preble whilst you’re at it.
Spring Level Ledge Mild — one other lighthouse in Portland Maine
3. Portland Breakwater Mild
Also referred to as the Bug Mild, this little lighthouse holds the document for being the shortest lighthouse in Maine. It’s additionally situated conveniently near the opposite lighthouses in Portland Maine, together with the well-known Head Mild.
This lighthouse was first constructed with a wood design in 1855, but it surely was changed in 1875 with the present design and its ornamental Greek columns, after which the lighthouse served as a marker for the tip of the rocky breakwater shielding Portland Harbor.
Like the opposite lighthouses in Portland, this one free to go to and it’s open day by day. It’s supplemented by a pleasant pet-friendly park the place you may get pleasure from a picnic or fly a kite!
Bug Mild is one in every of our favourite lighthouses in Portland Maine
4. Cape Neddick Mild
Also referred to as the Nubble Mild, this can be a photogenic lighthouse close to Portland Maine which you could simply go to on a day journey from town. It’s lower than a 1 hour drive south of Portland.
The Cape Neddick Mild was inbuilt 1879, and it’s nonetheless in use right this moment, though it was automated in 1987. The lighthouse and grounds of the ‘Nubble’ aren’t open to the general public, however you may nonetheless get pleasure from superb views from the parking space and alongside the coast.
The Nubble Lighthouse is a well-known American icon, and it’s one of the crucial photographed lighthouses in america. The surroundings right here adjustments dramatically with the seasons, and dawn or sundown will also be an exquisite time to go to. I noticed essentially the most spectacular dawn of my life right here one morning in October!
Cape Neddick is free to go to, and the parking can also be free. There’s a present store and plenty of parking area, but it surely fills up shortly as a result of it’s highly regarded. That is positively the most effective lighthouses in Maine to see in your subsequent journey!
Cape Neddick is without doubt one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine
5. Doubling Level Lighthouse
This lighthouse is a little bit of a hidden gem, though it’s straightforward to achieve with a forty five minute drive from Portland. We have been alone once we visited in October! There are only some parking areas.
The Doubling Level Mild remains to be an lively navigational support with the U.S. Coast Guard, though it’s automated now. It was inbuilt 1898 to warn boats of two hazardous, double bend activates the Kennebec River.
Doubling Level is free to go to, and you may stroll alongside the wood pier and across the lighthouse. There’s automotive entry all the way in which to the keeper’s home through privately-owned and maintained gravel roads, they usually enable folks to go to from 9 AM to five PM.
Doubling Level Mild
6. Pemaquid Level Mild
The Pemaquid Level Mild is one in every of my favourite lighthouses in Maine. It’s open to guests with a small entrance price, and you may climb the tower seasonally. As a bonus, there’s additionally a small fisherman’s museum on the primary flooring within the keeper’s home.
One of the best spot for taking photographs of Pemaquid Mild is on the graceful, flat bedrock under the lighthouse. This rock is de facto distinctive wanting and provides it a pleasant foreground. When you’re fortunate, you may even use one of many tide swimming pools to seize reflections of the lighthouse.
General, Pemaquid is a very nice location with lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal Maine. It’s straightforward to see why it was chosen to be featured on the Maine state quarter.
This lighthouse is kind of widespread and busy with vacationers in the summertime, but it surely’s nonetheless completely value a go to when you’re within the space!
Tide pool reflections at Pemaquid
The Pemaquid lighthouse was initially commissioned in 1827 by President John Quincy Adams, and it stands watch over Pemaquid Level and the Muscongus Bay, close to Bristol, Maine.
Apparently, salt water was used within the mortar combine the primary time round, inflicting the constructing to decay early, so the Pemaquid lighthouse was rebuilt correctly in 1835. It’s been good ever since.
Pemaquid lighthouse is a 1.5 hour drive from Portland, and it’s solely a 20 minute detour from Maine’s Route 1 freeway, so it’s very accessible when you’re driving alongside the coast of Maine!
Pemaquid Level Mild
7. Marshall Level Lighthouse
Among the finest lighthouses in Maine for sundown viewing must be Marshall Level Mild! The solar units virtually immediately behind this one, so you will get some great photos right here on most days.
The placement of Marshall Level is a bit distant, so it’s not the simplest lighthouse to go to. It’s a 2 hour drive from Portland, or 2.5 hours from Acadia Nationwide Park. We visited on a day journey from the Rockland space of Maine, which was a straightforward 30 minute drive.
This lighthouse and its walkway was famously featured within the 1994 film Forrest Gump, the place it was one of many locations that the primary character Forrest (performed by Tom Hanks) visited on his cross-country run.
Marshall Level is without doubt one of the finest lighthouses in Maine for sundown viewing
The Marshall Level Mild was inbuilt 1832 to help boats getting into and leaving Port Clyde Harbor, though the unique tower was changed with the current lighthouse in 1857. Automated in 1980, it’s nonetheless an lively U.S. Coast Guard navigation support.
The highway to Marshall Level is paved all the way in which, and it’s open to guests day by day from dawn to sundown. It’s free to go to, and there’s additionally a small museum and reward store that’s open throughout the summer season.
Once you get executed taking photos, you may stroll right down to the rocks to have a look at crabs and different wildlife within the tide swimming pools. General, it’s one in every of my favourite Maine lighthouses!
Colours after sundown
8. Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
It is a very fascinating lighthouse located on the finish of a 4,000 foot lengthy breakwater, which was constructed to guard the ships at Rockland Harbor throughout extreme storms. The rocky breakwater was constructed within the Nineties by the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers, after which the current lighthouse was added in 1902.
You possibly can stroll all the way in which out to the tip of the breakwater and see the lighthouse up shut, which is a good expertise! You do have to observe your step rigorously, as a result of there are crevices between the massive granite rocks and they are often slippery when moist. Nevertheless, my mother and father did it as seniors, so don’t let that deter you.
When you attain the lighthouse, you may stroll by the historic keeper’s dwelling and climb to the highest of the tower for a fowl’s eye view of the harbor and passing boats.
Rockland Breakwater Mild
Roughly 700,000 tons of rock have been used to construct the Rockland breakwater! The a method distance out to the tip is sort of one mile (or virtually 1.6 kilometers), so it takes about 20-40 minutes to stroll there, relying in your tempo and the way surefooted you’re.
For a summer season go to, you’ll in all probability wish to carry bottled water, and when you go within the winter, you’ll want to gown heat as a result of there’s at all times a breeze on the breakwater. It will possibly get surprisingly chilly on the market.
The Rockland Breakwater Mild is a 1.5 hour drive from Portland, so it’s fairly doable as a day journey from town. The grounds are open from dawn to sundown, and it’s free to go to. Extremely advisable!
Drone image of the Rockland breakwater. Discover how calm the water is on the within in comparison with the skin!
9. Maine Lighthouse Museum
Okay, this one’s not a lighthouse, however truly it’s a museum about them. The Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland is a good place for anybody who’s involved in Maine lighthouses, how they work, and all the historical past behind them!
Contained in the museum, you may see big Fresnel lenses up shut, together with a bunch of different maritime shows and historic info.
Additionally they have a really complete map of lighthouses in Maine that spans the entire coast of the state, with some good supersized fashions of the well-known lighthouses close to Portland and different elements of the state.
Lanterns on the Maine Lighthouse Museum
It’s a reasonably small museum (only some rooms plus a present store), but it surely nonetheless manages to be the biggest assortment of lighthouse artifacts and mementos in america.
Most individuals will in all probability spend an hour or much less on the museum, though it’s nonetheless value seeing. We visited on a wet day and loved it. Present entrance charges may be checked on their web site.
This museum is situated in Rockland Maine, so it’s a straightforward 1.5 hour drive from Portland, or 2 hours from Acadia Nationwide Park. You possibly can mix it with a number of the aforementioned lighthouses close to Rockland and make a pleasant day journey of it!
Extra displays on the museum in Rockland
10. Bass Harbor Mild
The Bass Harbor Head Mild was inbuilt 1858 to guard the doorway to Bass Harbor, which is on the southwestern facet of Mount Desert Island. It’s the one lighthouse in Acadia Nationwide Park.
They don’t allow you to go contained in the keeper’s home or the tower of this one, however you may stroll across the lighthouse on both facet, and there’s a brief path to go right down to the seashore, the place you may take a look at the tidepools, watch the waves are available in, and admire the lighthouse from under.
Admission and parking on the lighthouse is free, but it surely fills up simply since there are solely about 20 parking spots or much less. The preferred and busy time to go to is at sundown, however actually any time of day is sweet for taking photographs, so I’d keep away from sundown except you’re actually intent on seeing it at the moment.
Bass Harbor Mild is the one lighthouse in Acadia Nationwide Park or Mount Desert Island
11. Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse
The Burnt Coat Mild is without doubt one of the solely lighthouses close to Acadia Nationwide Park, but it surely’s nonetheless a little bit of a hidden gem as a result of it’s situated on a small island which you could solely attain by ferry, which is a enjoyable expertise in itself.
The ferry to Swan’s Island from Mount Desert Island (Bass Harbor) runs forwards and backwards a number of instances a day, even within the winter months, and the journey takes about 40 minutes every manner.
You possibly can drive your automotive onto the ferry, take your bicycle, or stroll on. The present schedule and fares may be discovered on the MaineDOT web site.
Lobster buoys in Mount Desert Island
We actually loved visiting sleepy Swan’s Island, and it was a pleasant glimpse into rural New England life on an island. It’s an fascinating tour even earlier than you see the lighthouse.
In-built 1872, the lighthouse marks the doorway to Burnt Coat Harbor. It was absolutely restored in 2006, giving it new life and a contemporary coat of paint.
The tower is open for climbing seasonally, and you may even hire the comfortable upstairs condominium within the keeper’s home. You will discover extra data on their official web site.
Burnt Coat Harbor Mild is without doubt one of the solely Maine lighthouses close to Acadia Nationwide Park
12. West Quoddy Head Mild
One of the crucial enjoyable and distinctive lighthouses of Maine must be the West Quoddy Head Mild, which straddles the Canada border. It’s truly the easternmost level within the continental United States!
This was one in every of our favourite Maine lighthouses for its Waldo-esque coloration scheme of pink and white stripes. It’s a 2 hour drive from Acadia Nationwide Park, so it’s not too exhausting to go to on a day journey from that space, or elsewhere.
We visited West Quoddy from Acadia, and for us it was effectively definitely worth the drive!
West Quoddy Head Mild
The West Quoddy Head Mild was inbuilt 1858 to information ships by the Quoddy Narrows, and it’s nonetheless an lively support to navigation right this moment. The keeper’s home has been become a mini museum for guests, they usually sometimes give excursions to the highest of the tower within the months of July and August.
There’s a small entrance price at West Quoddy, and you may go to 12 months spherical, though the museum and customer heart are closed throughout the off season.
Evidently, there are many picture alternatives at this lighthouse, and it’s additionally enjoyable to stroll right down to the seaside and discover the coast for awhile!
West Quoddy Head is the easternmost level within the USA
A high quality October morning at Quoddy Head
Greatest Lighthouses Close to Portland Maine
When you’re primarily wanting to go to lighthouses close to Portland Maine, listed here are some prime suggestions.
All of those lighthouses are close to Portland and fairly straightforward to achieve from there:
- Nubble Lighthouse (1 hour drive south of Portland)
- Portland Head Mild (situated in Portland)
- Bug Mild (situated in Portland)
- Spring Level Ledge Mild (situated in Portland)
- Doubling Level Mild (45 minute drive northeast of Portland)
- Pemaquid Level Mild (1.5 hour drive northeast of Portland)
- Maine Lighthouse Museum (1.5 hour drive northeast of Portland)
- Rockland Breakwater Mild (1.5 hour drive northeast of Portland)
- Owls Head Mild (1.5 hour drive northeast of Portland)
Most of those lighthouses are situated between Portland and Acadia Nationwide Park, so that they’re nice to go to when you occur to be driving to (or from) the park!
There are many nice lighthouses close to Portland Maine
Greatest Maine Lighthouses Close to Acadia Nationwide Park
Sadly, there aren’t many lighthouses close to Acadia Nationwide Park, though you continue to have some choices when you do a little bit of driving.
These are your finest decisions inside a 2 hour driving distance of Acadia:
- Bass Harbor Mild (situated in Acadia Nationwide Park)
- Burnt Coat Harbor Mild (reachable by ferry from Mount Desert Island)
- Rockland Breakwater Mild (2 hour drive west from Acadia)
- Maine Lighthouse Museum (2 hour drive west from Acadia)
- Owls Head Mild (2 hour drive west from Acadia)
- West Quoddy Head Mild (2+ hour drive east from Acadia)
Pemaquid Level Mild — the most effective Maine lighthouses
How Many Lighthouses In Maine?
Maine has a whopping complete of 65 lighthouses alongside its 3,500 miles of mixed shoreline, inlets, and islands. That’s why it’s generally known as ‘The Lighthouse State.’
Right here’s some extra enjoyable trivia: the oldest lighthouse in Maine is Portland Head (1791), and the final lighthouse constructed within the state is Whitlocks Mill (1910).
As you’ve in all probability seen, the lighthouses of Maine are available in all completely different styles and sizes. The tallest lighthouse within the ‘Pine Tree State’ is Boon Island at 133 ft (40 m), and the shortest is Bug Mild at 19.5 ft (6 m).
Sundown at Marshall Level Mild
Greatest Maine Excursions
Extra Maine Journey Guides
Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this Maine lighthouses map, and my listing of a number of the finest lighthouses in Maine to go to.
When you’re planning a visit to the Pine Tree State quickly, don’t neglect to take a look at my journey information for the finest hikes in Acadia Nationwide Park!