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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: York County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
Burnt Island Light
WHERE: Southport YEAR BUILT: 1821 KEY DETAIL: Burnt Island Light is the second oldest surviving lighthouse in Maine.
TAGS: Lincoln County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
Doubling Point Lighthouse
WHERE: Doubling Point Road, Arrowsic YEAR BUILT: 1899 KEY DETAIL: Doubling Point Lighthouse is still active today as a navigational tool.
TAGS: Sagadahoc County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Waldo County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
Goat Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Kennebunkport YEAR BUILT: 1833 KEY DETAIL: The Goat Island Lighthouse was built to help guide ships to Cape Porpoise Harbor.
TAGS: York County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Waldo County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
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.
TAGS: Lincoln County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Sagadahoc County
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.
TAGS: Kennebec County
Libby Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Machiasport YEAR BUILT: 1822 KEY DETAIL: The Libby Island Lighthouse is maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Lincoln County
Moose Peak Lighthouse
WHERE: Jonesport YEAR BUILT: 1825 KEY DETAIL: Moose Peak Lighthouse is stationed on the foggiest costal spot in the United States.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: York County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Lincoln County
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).
TAGS: Sagadahoc County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Sagadahoc County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
Prospect Harbor Point
WHERE: Gouldsboro YEAR BUILT: 1891 KEY DETAIL: The Prospect Harbor Point lighthouse tower stands 38 feet tall.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
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.
TAGS: Lincoln County
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
WHERE: Rockland YEAR BUILT: 1902 KEY DETAIL: Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is owned by the city of Rockland.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
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.
TAGS: Sagadahoc County
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.
TAGS: Cumberland County
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.
TAGS: Sagadahoc County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Washington County
Whaleback Light Observation Point
WHERE: Fort Foster Park Pier, Kittery Point YEAR BUILT: 1872 KEY DETAIL: The lighthouse tower stands 75 feet tall.
TAGS: York County
Whitehead Island Lighthouse
WHERE: Tenants Harbor YEAR BUILT: 1804 KEY DETAIL: Whitehead Island Lighthouse was automated in 1982.
TAGS: Knox County
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.
TAGS: Hancock County
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.
Obituaries