Every September, Maine celebrates Open Lighthouse Day, when participating lighthouses are open for the public to explore. But any day of the year, you can choose among the state’s dozens of lighthouses to visit, whether you want to snap a selfie in a picturesque setting or learn about their role in maritime history. Find one here to seek out while you’re visiting the area or to make the destination for your next road trip.
But before you get on the road, check out our handy map of the 67 to see:
-
Avery Rock Light
WHERE: Machiasport
YEAR BUILT: 1875
KEY DETAIL: Avery Rock Lighthouse had 17 keepers from 1875-1933 until it was automated in 1934.
-
Baker Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Islesford
YEAR BUILT: 1828
KEY DETAIL: In 1855, the keeper’s dwelling and lighthouse tower were rebuilt for just under $5,000.
-
Bass Harbor Head Light Station
WHERE: 116 Lighthouse Road, Bass Harbor
YEAR BUILT: 1858
KEY DETAIL: Bass Harbor Head Light Station is currently one of only three lights managed by Acadia National Park.
-
Bear Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Cranberry Isles
YEAR BUILT: 1839
KEY DETAIL: It has been assumed that the island Bear Island Lighthouse sits on was originally called Bare Island as it is barren from trees and home to no bears.
-
Blue Hill Bay Lighthouse
WHERE: Brooklin
YEAR BUILT: 1857
KEY DETAIL: Blue Hill Bay Lighthouse was built to guide lumber ships, as Ellsworth, Maine was a bustling lumber port during the 19th century.
-
Boon Island Light
WHERE: Boon Island, York
YEAR BUILT: The first day marker was established in 1799, and the tower was built in 1811.
KEY DETAIL: Eighty-nine years before the first day marker was established, the Nottingham Galley crashed on Boon Island. Legend has it, the ship’s crew was stranded on the island and forced to resort to cannibalism.
-
Browns Head Light Station
WHERE: 120 Browns Head Light Road, Vinalhaven
YEAR BUILT: 1832
KEY DETAIL: The original lighthouse was built from rock rubble in 1832, and then later rebuilt with the brick which still stands today.
-
Bug Light
WHERE: South Portland Greenbelt Pathway, South Portland
YEAR BUILT: 1855
KEY DETAIL: The light was reactivated in 2002 and is now a historic site that families can view from Bug Light Park.
-
Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse
WHERE: 433 Harbor Road, Swans Island
YEAR BUILT: 1872
KEY DETAIL: In 1982, the Coast Guard stripped the white paint off of the lighthouse’s tower and sealed the wood, hoping to save on maintenance labor and costs. Unfortunately, without its white paint, the tower looked too similar to the pine trees on the island forcing the Coast Guard to later repaint it.
-
Burnt Island Light
WHERE: Southport
YEAR BUILT: 1821
KEY DETAIL: Burnt Island Light is the second oldest surviving lighthouse in Maine.
-
Cape Elizabeth Light East Tower
WHERE: Lighthouse Point Road, Cape Elizabeth
YEAR BUILT: 1829
KEY DETAIL: Cape Elizabeth Light East Tower was originally called Two Lights as the East Tower was built to have a fixed beacon, and the West Tower, a revolving one.
-
Cape Elizabeth Light West Tower
WHERE: 5 Beacon Lane, Cape Elizabeth
YEAR BUILT: 1829
KEY DETAIL: The Cape Elizabeth Light West Tower was retired in 1924 when it was decided that having both an East and West tower on Cape Elizabeth was unnecessary.
-
Crabtree Ledge Light
WHERE: 99 Bay Ave., Hancock
YEAR BUILT: 1890
KEY DETAIL: Congress originally dedicated $25,000 to the construction of Crabtree Ledge Light in 1886. However, two years later, an additional $13,000 was put towards construction. Despite this monetary push, the lighthouse was not lit until 1890.
-
Curtis Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Camden
YEAR BUILT: Established 1836, present lighthouse built in 1896
KEY DETAIL: Curtis Island Lighthouse’s beam can reach up to 6 nautical miles or 6.9 land miles.
-
Deer Island Thorofare Lighthouse (Mark Island)
WHERE: Stonington
YEAR BUILT: 1858
KEY DETAIL: A fire broke out in the basement of the keeper’s dwelling during 1958. Unfortunately, the dwelling could not be saved. However, authorities were able to save the light tower because it was made of brick. After this incident, and due to a decrease in marine traffic, the Coast Guard decided to automate the lighthouse.
-
Doubling Point Lighthouse
WHERE: Doubling Point Road, Arrowsic
YEAR BUILT: 1899
KEY DETAIL: Doubling Point Lighthouse is still active today as a navigational tool.
-
Dyce Head Lighthouse
WHERE: 1 Battle Ave., Castine
YEAR: 1828
KEY DETAIL: The lighthouse was left idle for 72 years after being turned off in 1935. However, in 2008 it was re-lit and is now open to the public.
-
Eagle Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Lighthouse Road, Deer Isle
YEAR BUILT: 1838
KEY DETAIL: Eagle Island Lighthouse was commissioned to help guide lumber ships to and from Bangor, along the Penobscot River.
-
Egg Rock Lighthouse
WHERE: Bar Harbor
YEAR BUILT: 1875
KEY DETAIL: Although Congress appropriated money for Egg Rock’s construction in 1874, building was delayed until 1875 due to problems obtaining the island’s title.
-
Fort Point Lighthouse
WHERE: 180 Lighthouse Road, Stockton Springs
YEAR BUILT: 1836
KEY DETAIL: Although Fort Point Lighthouse was originally constructed in 1836, the current tower, which can be visited today, was built in 1857.
-
Franklin Island Light
WHERE: Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge, Friendship
YEAR BUILT: 1807
KEY DETAIL: The lighthouse’s beacon stands 57 feet above the water and flashes every six seconds.
-
Goat Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Kennebunkport
YEAR BUILT: 1833
KEY DETAIL: The Goat Island Lighthouse was built to help guide ships to Cape Porpoise Harbor.
-
Goose Rock Lighthouse
WHERE: Northeast Closure Area, North Haven
YEAR BUILT: 1890
KEY DETAIL: Goose Rock Lighthouse is called a “spark-plug” light because it is completely surrounded by water.
-
Great Duck Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Great Duck Island, Frenchboro
YEAR BUILT: 1890
KEY DETAIL: Although Great Duck Lighthouse wasn’t built until 1890, it was noted as early as 1842 that the island needed a lighthouse because of how dangerous and well traveled the area was.
-
Grindle Point Sailors’ Museum and Lighthouse
WHERE: 615 Ferry Road, Islesboro
YEAR: 1851
KEY DETAIL: The Grindle Point Sailors’ Lighthouse was originally constructed to guide ships into Gilkey Harbor.
-
Halfway Rock Lighthouse
WHERE: Bailey Island, Harpswell
YEAR BUILT: 1871
KEY DETAIL: Halfway Rock Lighthouse is 9.5 nautical miles or 10.9 land miles east of Portland.
-
Hendrick’s Head Lighthouse
WHERE: 42 Light House Lane, Southport
YEAR BUILT: 1829
KEY DETAIL: The cost of building the original 1829 lighthouse was only $2,662, which is equivalent to $87,500 in 2023.
-
Heron Neck Lighthouse
WHERE: Vinalhaven
YEAR BUILT: 1853
KEY DETAIL: Heron Neck Lighthouse was originally built to guide mariners hauling granite from Penobscot Bay to Carver’s Harbor on Vinalhaven Island.
-
Indian Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Rockport
YEAR BUILT: 1850
KEY DETAIL: Indian Island Lighthouse is also referred to as the Beauchamp Point Lighthouse because the original structure allocated for by Congress was intended to be constructed at either Beauchamp Point or on the opposite side of the harbor. Despite this, the lighthouse was built on Indian Island, and thus has been referred to by both names.
-
Isle au Haut Light
WHERE: Lighthouse Road, Isle Au Haut
YEAR BUILT: 1907
KEY DETAIL: The Isle au Haut Lighthouse was fully restored in 1986 when it was converted to an inn. Now, additional work is being done to restore the original fog bell.
-
Kennebec River Range Lights
WHERE: 36 Doubling Point Road, Arrowsic
YEAR BUILT: 1898
KEY DETAIL: The River Range Lights were used to help guide ships through a double bend in the Kennebec River which ensured mariners could safely travel North.
-
Ladies Delight Lighthouse
WHERE: Winthrop
YEAR BUILT: 1908
KEY DETAIL: The 16-foot lighthouse was erected by two oxen, transported to the island by members of the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club.
-
Libby Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Machiasport
YEAR BUILT: 1822
KEY DETAIL: The Libby Island Lighthouse is maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
-
Little River Lighthouse
WHERE: Cutler
YEAR BUILT: 1848
KEY DETAIL: In 2002, Little River Lighthouse became the first lighthouse in New England to be taken over by a nonprofit group under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.
-
Lubec Channel Lighthouse
WHERE: Lubec
YEAR BUILT: 1889
KEY DETAIL: The Lubec Channel Lighthouse is a spark-plug style lighthouse, meaning that it does not sit on any land, and is instead built out of the water.
-
Machias Seal Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Machias Seal Island
YEAR BUILT: 1832
KEY DETAIL: In 1873, a steam fog whistle was placed on the island in collaboration with the lighthouse due to dangerously thick fog that accumulated during the summer.
-
Marshall Point Lighthouse
WHERE: Marshall Point Road, Port Clyde
YEAR BUILT: 1832
KEY DETAIL: Marshall Point Lighthouse is where Forrest Gump concluded his cross-country run in the eponymous movie.
-
Matinicus Rock Lighthouse
WHERE: Matinicus
YEAR BUILT: 1827
KEY DETAIL: When built in 1827 Matinicus Rock Lighthouse had two light towers. In 1923, one was deemed unnecessary and discontinued. Sixty years later, in 1983, the second tower was automated.
-
Monhegan Lighthouse
WHERE: Monhegan
YEAR BUILT: 1824
KEY DETAIL: The Coast Guard maintained the Monhegan Lighthouse from 1945-1959 until it became automated and was powered by an electrical generator across the harbor.
-
Moose Peak Lighthouse
WHERE: Jonesport
YEAR BUILT: 1825
KEY DETAIL: Moose Peak Lighthouse is stationed on the foggiest costal spot in the United States.
-
Mount Desert Rock Lighthouse
WHERE: Frenchboro
YEAR BUILT: 1830
KEY DETAIL: Mount Desert Rock is know for its barren, rocky environment. In fact, many of the keepers often struggled with restlessness and had to be incentivized with a $840 annual salary to stay on the island.
-
Narraguagus Lighthouse
WHERE: Milbridge
YEAR BUILT: 1853
KEY DETAIL: The Narraguagus Lighthouse was shut down and sold in 1934. Now, an illuminated buoy floats nearby the island instead.
-
Nash Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Addison
YEAR BUILT: Original tower in 1838, current tower in 1873
KEY DETAIL: Nash Island Lighthouse was automated in 1958 and then later replaced by an illuminated buoy in 1982.
-
Nubble Lighthouse
WHERE: 11 Sohier Park Road, York
YEAR BUILT: 1879
KEY DETAIL: Nubble Lighthouse was automated in July 1987. That same year, a lease was signed between the town of York and the United States government, putting York in charge of the property’s maintenance.
-
Owls Head Lighthouse
WHERE: 186 Lighthouse Road, Owls Head
YEAR BUILT: 1825
KEY DETAIL: The keeper’s home, originally used for those maintaining the Owls Head Lighthouse, is now the headquarters for American Lighthouse Foundation.
-
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
WHERE: 3115 Bristol Road, New Harbor
YEAR BUILT: 1827
KEY DETAIL: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was bought by the town of Bristol in 1940. The town turned the location into a park with tours of the original structures as well as a fishermen’s museum.
-
Perkins Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Georgetown
YEAR BUILT: 1898
KEY DETAIL: The Perkins Island Lighthouse has a flashing red light as well as a white light. The red light is visible for 7 nautical miles (8.1 land miles) and the white light is visible for 9 nautical miles (10.4 land miles).
-
Petit Manan Lighthouse
WHERE: Steuben
YEAR: 1817
KEY DETAIL: Petit Manan Island is protected by the Petit Manan National Wildlife Sanctuary; the island is home to various nesting birds and marine animals and, thus, cannot be accessed by the public.
-
Pond Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge, Phippsburg
YEAR BUILT: 1821
KEY DETAIL: In 1973, the Fish and Wildlife Service took over Pond Island and created the Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge.
-
Portland Head Light
WHERE: Cape Elizabeth
YEAR BUILT: 1790
KEY DETAIL: Portland Head Light, whose construction began in 1790 and was first lit in 1791, is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Maine.
-
Prospect Harbor Point
WHERE: Gouldsboro
YEAR BUILT: 1891
KEY DETAIL: The Prospect Harbor Point lighthouse tower stands 38 feet tall.
-
Pumpkin Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Eggemoggin Road, Little Deer Isle
YEAR BUILT: 1854
KEY DETAIL: The Pumpkin Island Lighthouse was deactivated in 1933 and sold to a private owner in 1934.
-
Ram Island Ledge Light Station
WHERE: Portland
YEAR BUILT: 1905
KEY DETAIL: Construction for Ram Island Ledge Light Station could only be done during low tide as Ram Island is submerged underwater during high tide.
-
Ram Island Lighthouse
WHERE: East Boothbay
YEAR BUILT: 1883
KEY DETAIL: There are 21 Ram Islands in Maine. As such, Ram Island Lighthouse is often confused with Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse.
-
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
WHERE: Rockland
YEAR BUILT: 1902
KEY DETAIL: Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is owned by the city of Rockland.
-
Saddleback Lighthouse
WHERE: Vinalhaven
YEAR BUILT: 1839
KEY DETAIL: The Saddleback Lighthouse was built after the Royal Tar, a ship carrying circus performers and animals, sank near the island’s ledge.
-
St. Croix River Lighthouse
WHERE: 26 Lighthouse Lane, Calais
YEAR BUILT: 1857
KEY DETAIL: The original St. Croix River Lighthouse was destroyed by a fire in 1976. After the fire the lighthouse was never rebuilt, instead a skeleton tower was built in its place.
-
Seguin Island Light Station
WHERE: Phippsburg
YEAR BUILT: 1795
KEY DETAIL: The first Seguin Island Lighthouse tower was approved and later commissioned by George Washington.
-
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
WHERE: 2 Fort Road, South Portland
YEAR BUILT: 1897
KEY DETAIL: Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style lighthouse that is open for tours in Maine.
-
Squirrel Point Light
WHERE: Arrowsic
YEAR BUILT: 1898
KEY DETAIL: The light tower is still in operation, aiding ships along the coast. The original Fresnel lens is on display at the Portland Head Lighthouse museum in Cape Elizabeth.
-
Tenants Harbor Lighthouse
WHERE: St. George
YEAR BUILT: 1857
KEY DETAIL: The original bell tower has been converted into an artist’s studio for the family who currently has private ownership of the property.
-
Two Bush Island Lighthouse
WHERE: South Thomaston
YEAR BUILT: 1897
KEY DETAIL: The keepers house was blown up in 1970 during a demolition exercise performed by the U.S. Army Special Forces.
-
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
WHERE: 973 South Lubec Road, Lubec
YEAR BUILT: 1808
KEY DETAIL: The West Quoddy Head Lighthouse was built by order of Thomas Jefferson.
-
Whaleback Light Observation Point
WHERE: Fort Foster Park Pier, Kittery Point
YEAR BUILT: 1872
KEY DETAIL: The lighthouse tower stands 75 feet tall.
-
Whitehead Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Tenants Harbor
YEAR BUILT: 1804
KEY DETAIL: Whitehead Island Lighthouse was automated in 1982.
-
Winter Harbor Light
WHERE: Schoodic Loop Road, Winter Harbor
YEAR BUILT: 1857
KEY DETAIL: The keeper’s logbooks went missing from the property during 1983, loosing keeper information that dated back to 1856.
Wood Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Wood Island Acres, Biddeford
YEAR BUILT: 1806
KEY DETAIL: Wood Island Lighthouse is the source of various myths and legends due to its macabre history of murder, suicide, ghosts, shipwrecks, and more.
YEAR BUILT: 1806
KEY DETAIL: Wood Island Lighthouse is the source of various myths and legends due to its macabre history of murder, suicide, ghosts, shipwrecks, and more.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your CentralMaine.com account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.