{"id":7168,"date":"2025-03-24T04:29:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T08:29:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/?p=7168"},"modified":"2025-04-10T09:10:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T13:10:20","slug":"15-must-see-lighthouses-in-downeast-and-coastal-maine-with-travel-tips-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/15-must-see-lighthouses-in-downeast-and-coastal-maine-with-travel-tips-map\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Must-See Lighthouses in Downeast and Coastal Maine (With Travel Tips &#038; Map)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1PnJo_OFtcqxr9FVdt4sOHQecDibFq6E&#038;hl=en&#038;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"930\" height=\"500\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1>Lighthouses in Downeast Maine<\/h1>\n<p>Among the many sights and landmarks there are to see in Downeast Maine, a major highlight for many visitors is the iconic lighthouses that dot the region\u2019s rocky shores. <\/p>\n<p>Once a beacon for the U.S. Coast Guard and other maritime travelers to navigate the foggy, rugged coastline, Maine is home to more than 60 lighthouses. Today, many of these structures have now been converted into private residences, museums, and local attractions, with some of the state\u2019s best lighthouse viewing being here in Downeast Maine. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a complete list of the top lighthouses to include in your Downeast Maine road trip itinerary. We\u2019ve even included a few bonus stops located further to the west that are too iconic to keep off our list of the best lighthouses to visit in Maine<\/p>\n<h2>West Quoddy Head Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Lubec, Maine<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/westquoddy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">West Quoddy Head Lighthouse<\/a> might be one of the most widely recognizable lighthouses in the country. It marks the easternmost part of the continental United States, and President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the construction of the initial tower in 1808. Today, it\u2019s known for its iconic red and white striped design, which was the third rendition of the tower built in 1858.   <\/p>\n<p>Though visitors can check out the lighthouse and surrounding hiking trails on foot during the off-season, the West Quoddy State Park is officially open from May 15 through October 15. The lighthouse\u2019s visitor center and museum are run by a local non-profit organization, occupying the historic residence of the lightkeeper.  <\/p>\n<h2>Bass Harbor Head Light Station<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Tremont, MaineOne of three lighthouses located within Acadia National Park, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/acad\/planyourvisit\/bass-harbor-head-light-station.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bass Harbor Head Light Station<\/a> is a must-see landmark in Downeast Maine. The lighthouse sits on a rocky cliff with a picturesque setting overlooking Bass Harbor, with paved walkways surrounding the structure for viewing the exterior. <\/p>\n<p>It receives about 180,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most visited locations in the entire park. So, be prepared to encounter some traffic and limited parking during your visit. <\/p>\n<h2>Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Swan\u2019s Island, Maine<\/p>\n<p>Standing out as one of the few square-shaped lighthouses in Downeast Maine, the <a href=\"https:\/\/burntcoatharborlight.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse<\/a> is quite a delight. It\u2019s located on the stunning Swan\u2019s Island and is still a working beacon for local lobster boats. <\/p>\n<p>With gorgeous harbor views, beautiful nature trails, and lobster boat spotting all located nearby, Burnt Coat Harbor is one of the region\u2019s hidden gems. Plus, it\u2019s one of the few lighthouse towers that you\u2019re still able to climb! Hours and dates of operation can be limited throughout the summer season, so be sure to double-check this before your visit. <\/p>\n<h2>Isle au Haut Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Isle au Haut, Maine<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isleauhautlighthouse.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Isle au Haut Lighthouse<\/a> was only built in 1907, which makes it the last lighthouse constructed in the state. Some people also refer to it as Robinson Point Light. The standout feature is that the lightkeeper\u2019s house connects to the tower with a long catwalk, with the light itself built slightly offshore. <\/p>\n<p>The original lightkeeper\u2019s two-and-a-half-story Victorian home is now a summer vacation rental, though the lighthouse has remained in the town\u2019s ownership since 1998. Tours of the lighthouse are available on occasion. However, the public mostly views this lovely structure from the water. <\/p>\n<h2>Little River Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Cutler, Maine<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.littleriverlight.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Little River Lighthouse<\/a> has the ultimate comeback story. The current tower was constructed in 1876 with brick-lined cast iron, though the first one on site was built nearly three decades prior. <\/p>\n<p>In the years following the lighthouse\u2019s decommissioning in 1975, various state, local, and federal agencies were offered ownership of the site and declined, often citing maintenance costs. <\/p>\n<p>The fate of the lighthouse was in peril until the American Lighthouse Foundation stepped forward, eventually leading the restoration of the site. It was the first in New England with the honor of being transferred to non-profit ownership. <\/p>\n<p>Now a cozy inn, staying in the Little River Lighthouse is a quintessential Downeast experience. With stunning views of Cutler Harbor, overnight accommodations are available from June through September. <\/p>\n<h2>Dyce Head Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Castine, Maine<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthousefriends.com\/light.asp?ID=524\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dyce (Dice) Head Lighthouse<\/a> went dark in 1937 after it was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard. The light was moved to scaffolding nearby, though this was destroyed during a major storm in 2007.  <\/p>\n<p>After much pleading from locals, the original tower was re-lit again in 2008, marking the end of seven decades of darkness in the tower. It\u2019s located on a private residence, though there are public viewing hours during the day. Or, you could check it out from the water if you\u2019d prefer. <\/p>\n<h2>Heron Neck Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p>Location: Greens Island, Maine<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthousefriends.com\/light.asp?ID=534\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Heron Neck Lighthouse<\/a> was constructed in 1854 to help mariners navigate Penobscot Bay and safely reach Vinalhaven Island. Its design features a cylindrical brick tower attached to a one-and-a-half-story brick keeper\u2019s quarters. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s said that the first keeper of the lighthouse, James Smith, was paid an annual salary of just $350 to oversee its operation. Since then, the original keeper\u2019s home was demolished and replaced with a wooden structure in 1895. <\/p>\n<p>One fun fact about the Heron Neck Lighthouse is that it was one of the few to have a \u201cfog-bark,\u201d This was supplied by Nemo, a Newfoundland dog that was trained to bark and alert the keeper after hearing a ship\u2019s horn on a foggy night. <\/p>\n<h2>Pumpkin Island Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Little Deer Isle, Maine<\/p>\n<p>Located off the northwestern coast of Little Deer Isle, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthousefriends.com\/light.asp?ID=513\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pumpkin Island Lighthouse<\/a> is visible from the shore, though you can get a closer look at it with a guided boat tour. Standing just 22 feet tall, this round brick lighthouse is attached to a single-story keeper\u2019s house, with a small brick oil house, boathouse, and boat slip also present on the island. <\/p>\n<p>The lighthouse was in service from 1854 until 1933, helping to guide the navigation of Penobscot Bay. Afterward, it became privately owned, and it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since February 1988. <\/p>\n<h2>Goose Rocks Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: North Haven, Maine<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.beaconpreservation.org\/website\/publish\/home\/homeList.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Goose Rocks Lighthouse<\/a> is a four-story structure built in 1890, which you\u2019ll find positioned between Stimpson Island and Widows Island. Before the light was automated in 1963, the light keeper would live on the second level of this four-level structure. <\/p>\n<p>Notably, the light is still used today to guide navigation. The Coast Guard continues to maintain the light, though the structure is now under private ownership by a local non-profit, the Beacon Preservation organization.  <\/p>\n<h2>Egg Rock Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Frenchman Bay, Maine<\/p>\n<p>Not everyone is a fan of this squat lighthouse on Frenchman Bay. The short, four-sided light tower protrudes from the center of the keeper\u2019s house. To some, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthousefriends.com\/light.asp?ID=510\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Egg Rock Lighthouse<\/a> appears like a normal home with a large lantern sitting atop it, and it\u2019s been referred to as \u201cMaine\u2019s ugliest lighthouse.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>We think this description is a bit harsh, and actually find it quite charming. Its unique design and appearance warrant a visit so that you can decide for yourself! <\/p>\n<p>The lighthouse is not available to the public and is currently owned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. You can enjoy views of this lighthouse from the water, and some even say you can see it from some of the tallest points in Acadia. <\/p>\n<h2>Petit Manan Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Petit Manan Island, Maine<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthousefriends.com\/light.asp?ID=766\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Petit Manan Lighthouse<\/a> may not be the most accessible structure on this list, though it\u2019s certainly worth the effort to see it by boat. It\u2019s located on the Petit Manan Island, a good two and a half miles off the coast of Steuben. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not quite the tallest lighthouse in Maine, though it\u2019s close, with a height of 123 feet. If you\u2019re not interested in taking a boat tour, you may also be able to catch a glimpse of it in the distance from the top of Pigeon Hill in Steuben. <\/p>\n<h2>Pemaquid Point Lighthouse<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: Bristol, Maine<\/p>\n<p>Though a bit outside of Downeast Maine, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bristolmaine.org\/parks-recreation\/pemaquid-point-lighthouse-park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pemaquid Point Lighthouse<\/a> is still worth exploring on a coastal Maine excursion. Known for being one of the state\u2019s more notable lighthouses, you may recognize it as the landmark featured on the back of the Maine State Quarter. <\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a park on-site that\u2019s open from mid-May until late October, which is when visitors are able to climb the tower, with other attractions nearby like the learning center, Fisherman\u2019s Museum, and art gallery. There\u2019s a nominal fee for visitors to enter the park, with a small suggested donation for those who decide to make the climb. <\/p>\n<h2>Boon Island Light<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Location<\/strong>: York, Maine<\/p>\n<p>Near the New Hampshire border, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lighthousefriends.com\/light.asp?ID=781\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Boon Island Light<\/a> is known for being one of the most secluded stations located off the coast of Maine. It has a storied, centuries-long history of marooned crews, isolation, and other seaside legends. <\/p>\n<p>The lighthouse isn\u2019t exactly in the Downeast Maine region. However, it\u2019s a noteworthy landmark that is still active to this day. The public can view the lighthouse by boat or aircraft. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the tallest lighthouse in all of New England, towering at 133 feet. The current brown granite tower was built in 1855, though previous versions were constructed on the site as early as 1799.<\/p>\n<h3>Downeast Maine Lighthouse Summary<\/h3>\n<table style=\"width:100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left;\">\n<thead style=\"background-color: #f2f2f2;\">\n<tr>\n<th>Lighthouse<\/th>\n<th>Location<\/th>\n<th>Accessible?<\/th>\n<th>Can Climb?<\/th>\n<th>Open Season<\/th>\n<th>Notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>West Quoddy Head<\/td>\n<td>Lubec, ME<\/td>\n<td>Yes (by car\/foot)<\/td>\n<td>No (museum only)<\/td>\n<td>May 15 \u2013 Oct 15<\/td>\n<td>Easternmost point of the U.S.; striped tower<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bass Harbor Head<\/td>\n<td>Tremont, ME<\/td>\n<td>Yes (walkway)<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>Year-round (exterior only)<\/td>\n<td>In Acadia NP; very popular, limited parking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Burnt Coat Harbor<\/td>\n<td>Swan\u2019s Island, ME<\/td>\n<td>Yes (ferry)<\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>Summer only (limited hours)<\/td>\n<td>One of the few you can still climb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Robinson Point (Isle au Haut)<\/td>\n<td>Isle au Haut, ME<\/td>\n<td>Limited (boat\/ferry)<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>Summer rental only<\/td>\n<td>Keeper\u2019s house is a vacation rental<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Little River<\/td>\n<td>Cutler, ME<\/td>\n<td>Yes (by boat)<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>June \u2013 September<\/td>\n<td>Now an inn; restored by a non-profit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Egg Rock<\/td>\n<td>Frenchman Bay, ME<\/td>\n<td>No (view by boat)<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>N\/A<\/td>\n<td>Unusual architecture; sometimes called &#8220;ugliest&#8221;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Petit Manan<\/td>\n<td>Steuben, ME<\/td>\n<td>No (boat only)<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<td>N\/A<\/td>\n<td>One of the tallest; visible from Pigeon Hill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lighthouses in Downeast Maine Among the many sights and landmarks there are to see in Downeast Maine, a major highlight for many visitors is the iconic lighthouses that dot the region\u2019s rocky shores. Once a beacon for the U.S. Coast Guard and other maritime travelers to navigate the foggy, rugged coastline, Maine is home to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":6956,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[80,25,82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-downeast-maine","category-ocean-activities","category-outdoor-activities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7168"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7216,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7168\/revisions\/7216"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rentalsmaine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}