Lighthouse in Acadia National Park

Lighthouse in Acadia National Park: Beacons of Maine’s Coastal Beauty

Acadia National Park isn’t only defined by its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and dramatic coastline—it is also home to some of the Maine’s most iconic and historic lighthouses. These maritime beacons, perched on steep cliffs or quiet shorelines, have guided sailors for more than a century through the sometimes-treacherous waters surrounding Mount Desert Island and its neighboring islands. 

The lighthouses of Acadia carry stories of shipwrecks, resilience, isolation, and the timeless beauty of Maine’s granite coast. Today, they remain cherished symbols of the region’s maritime heritage and popular destinations for visitors seeking some of the best coastal views in the park.

While only a few lighthouses fall within the park’s boundaries, several nearby are easily accessible and popular with visitors seeking coastal charm and postcard-worthy views. The most notable among them is Bass Harbor Head Light, a must-see for anyone exploring Mount Desert Island.

Quick Reference: Lighthouses of Acadia National Park

Lighthouse	Location	Year Built	Accessibility	How to View	Special Features / Notes
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse	Southwest side of Mount Desert Island	1858	Accessible by car; grounds open	Short trails lead to viewpoints; iconic cliffside view	Most photographed lighthouse in Acadia; active beacon; stunning sunsets
Baker Island Lighthouse	Baker Island (off Bar Harbor)	1828 (rebuilt 1855)	Accessible only by boat tours	Ranger-led island walks from Bar Harbor boat tours	One of Acadia’s oldest lighthouses; remote and historic; views of open Atlantic
Bear Island Lighthouse	Bear Island near Northeast Harbor	1839 (rebuilt 1889)	Not open to public; private property	Visible from boat tours in Northeast Harbor / Bar Harbor	Picturesque New England lighthouse; classic architecture; quiet, scenic location
Great Duck Island Lighthouse	Great Duck Island (south of MDI)	1890	Island closed to public (wildlife refuge)	Seen from nearby boat tours	Important seabird habitat; remote and rugged; fully active light
Prospect Harbor Point Lighthouse	Prospect Harbor (Schoodic Peninsula region)	1850	Grounds limited; lighthouse active	Viewed from shore across harbor	Near Acadia; working harbor views; lighthouse with classic keeper’s house
Egg Rock Lighthouse	Egg Rock, off Bar Harbor	1875	Not open to public	Seen clearly from whale-watching & harbor boat tours	Distinctive square tower on keeper’s house; seabird area; dramatic island setting

1. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: Acadia’s Iconic Beacon

The Bass Harbor Head Light Station is a historic lighthouse located in Tremont, Maine. Perched on the southernmost tip of Mount Desert Island, the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is the most famous lighthouse within Acadia National Park. Established in 1858, it stands as a sentinel overlooking the treacherous waters of Blue Hill Bay and the Bass Harbor Bar. Built to help ships navigate these dangerous waters, the lighthouse's white tower rises 32 feet above the ground, and its light shines 56 feet above the high-water mark.

As one of approximately 80 lighthouses across Maine, it stands out as one of the three lights managed by Acadia National Park, with the other two located on Baker Island and Bear Island.

The structure is constructed from brick and features a conical design, which is typical of many lighthouses built during the mid-19th century. The light originally came from a fifth-order Fresnel lens, a type of lens that uses concentric prisms to focus light into a strong beam. Today, the lighthouse remains active, though it has been automated since 1974 and is managed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

This iconic lighthouse has gained national recognition, appearing on the America the Beautiful quarter in 2012 and the National Park Service centennial postage stamp in 2016. Its significance and historical value were formally acknowledged when it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Visiting Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is not only a functioning navigational aid but also a major tourist attraction. Visitors can view the lighthouse from a walking trail that loops around the building, providing spectacular views of the coastline and the lighthouse itself. From the rocky cliffs below, photographers and nature enthusiasts can capture breathtaking images of the lighthouse against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, particularly during sunrise and sunset when the light bathes the area in warm hues.

While the interior of the lighthouse is not open to the public, the grounds are accessible year-round. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque surroundings, including short hikes through nearby forest trails. The lighthouse sits near Bass Harbor, a charming village known for its fishing community and quiet atmosphere.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

View From Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

2. Baker Island Head Light Station

Far from the main visitor areas lies Baker Island Lighthouse, a distant but historically important structure within the park’s boundaries. First established in 1828 and rebuilt in 1855, this lighthouse was vital in protecting sailors from the dangerous ledges and shoals that surround Baker Island.

Reaching the lighthouse requires a boat, and most visitors arrive through guided boat tours that launch from Bar Harbor. Once on the island, a ranger-led walk leads visitors across meadows and rocky shores to the lighthouse itself, which stands tall against the backdrop of the open Atlantic.

Baker Island Light may not be as photographed as Bass Harbor, but it offers something rare—solitude, history, and a glimpse into Maine’s past when lighthouses were essential lifelines for mariners navigating unpredictable coastal weather. The area around the island is also rich with birdlife, tide pools, and dramatic seascapes that reward visitors who make the journey.

3. Bear Island Head Light Station

Located near Northeast Harbor, Bear Island Lighthouse is a beautiful and somewhat mysterious sight within Acadia. Built in 1839 and later rebuilt in 1889, this lighthouse sits on the southern tip of Bear Island, surrounded by evergreen forests and rugged shores. Although the lighthouse itself is on private property and closed to visitors, it can easily be viewed from boat tours departing Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and other local harbors.

The original tower, small and cylindrical, has been preserved along with the keeper’s dwelling. Bear Island Light offers a picturesque view of traditional New England lighthouse architecture combined with the quiet beauty of Mount Desert Island’s less-traveled waters. Its seclusion only adds to its charm, and many visitors cite it as a highlight of their coastal boat excursion.

4. Prospect Harbor Point Lighthouse

Though technically outside the park’s boundaries, Prospect Harbor Point Lighthouse is closely associated with the Acadia region and often visited as part of an extended trip. Built in 1850, this lighthouse stands across from the fishing village of Prospect Harbor and continues to operate as an active navigational aid.

Visitors can view the lighthouse from the shore, where it rises beside a classic white keeper’s house and a working fishing wharf. The quiet harbor, dotted with lobster boats and framed by pine woods, creates a peaceful setting that feels worlds away from the busier areas of Mount Desert Island. It is a perfect stop for photography, reflection, and anyone who appreciates Maine’s coastal culture.

5. Great Duck Island Lighthouse

Great Duck Island Lighthouse, located south of Mount Desert Island, is one of the most remote lighthouses associated with Acadia National Park. Built in 1890, it stands on a wild island known for its abundant seabird colonies, particularly gulls and storm-petrels. The lighthouse is still an operational navigational aid, though the island itself is closed to general visitors to protect fragile bird habitats.

Boat tours occasionally circle the island, offering views of the lighthouse rising above thick spruce forests. For many, this lighthouse is a symbol of Maine’s untamed coastline—beautiful, remote, and ruled by nature.

The Significance of Acadia’s Lighthouses

Each lighthouse in the Acadia region tells a part of the maritime story of New England. They were built to guide sailors through fog, storms, and rocky channels long before modern navigation existed. Today, they offer more than history—they showcase some of the most stunning vistas along the Atlantic coast.

Visitors are drawn to Acadia’s lighthouses not only for photography but also for the sense of connection they evoke. Standing beside an old beacon, watching the light sweep across the waves, it’s easy to imagine what life was like for the keepers who lived in isolation yet played a vital role in maritime safety.

Whether seen from the rocky shores of Bass Harbor, from the deck of a boat approaching Baker Island, or from a quiet harbor near Prospect Point, these lighthouses continue to shine as symbols of Acadia’s enduring beauty and coastal heritage.