This Maine Road Trip Takes You To 10 Stunning Lighthouses

Maine is known for many things, delectable lobster rolls, breathtaking coastal views, and of course, an abundance of beautiful lighthouses. With a total of 65 lighthouses within its borders, Maine has one of the largest collections in the country. Travelers hoping to see as many Maine lighthouses as possible can do so with a simple road trip on the famous US Route 1.

This popular scenic route stretches all the way from Key West, Florida to Fort Kent, Maine for a total of 2,390 miles. The Maine section of this drive is dotted with picture-perfect views and 10 stunning lighthouses where travelers can get out, stretch their legs, and soak up the views. So pack up your car snacks and get ready to hit the road–the coast is calling!

Nubble Lighthouse

Located on a small, rocky island in York, Maine, the Nubble Lighthouse was built in 1879 and remains a popular tourist attraction to this day. Unfortunately, visitors can not reach the island but, because the lighthouse is so close to land, travelers can still get a clear view of the stunning structure. Many visitors enjoy activities such as scuba diving and fishing in the nearby water, which also offers a great view of the lighthouse. The best views, however, come from York’s Sohier Park–a nearby park that attracts roughly 500,000 visitors each year. In addition to the lighthouse, visitors will also see the Victorian-era keeper's quarters, a workshop, a red brick oil house, a boathouse, and a single gable on the island.

Goat Island Lighthouse

The next stop along US Route 1 is Goat Island Lighthouse which is located roughly 20 miles from Nubble Lighthouse in Kennebunkport, Maine. Here, visitors will see a short but picturesque lighthouse situated on the beautiful Goat Island. The original lighthouse was built in 1835 but the structure that stands before visitors today wasn’t established until 1859. One year later in 1860, keepers' quarters were added to the island. Today, the Dombrowski family still occupies those quarters, offering occasional tours of the lighthouse grounds to curious visitors. Those who can’t fit a tour into their schedule can still enjoy clear views of the lighthouse from the Cape Porpoise Pier.

Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse

The Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse, more often referred to as Two Lights, is a set of twin lighthouses built in 1828. The western lighthouse has been non-operational since 1924 and is now a private home. The eastern lighthouse, however, is still in operation today. Although not open for public tours, visitors can get a clear view of the eastern lighthouse from inside Two Lights State Park. While in the park, travelers can enjoy Maine’s rocky coast, Ocean and Bay views, picnics, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities.

Portland Head Light

Also located in the small town of Cape Elizabeth, roughly 5 miles from Two Lights State Park, travelers will find Portland Head Light. Known as the oldest lighthouse in Maine, Portland Head Light is a popular tourist attraction featuring a museum and gift shop for visitors to enjoy. The lighthouse was first lit on January 10, 1791, and is still an active navigation tool today. While visitors are welcome to come see the lighthouse and explore the museum and gift shop, tours of the lighthouse itself are only available once per year during Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Adjacent to the lighthouse, visitors will find Fort Williams Park, an attractive 90-acre park with sparkling ocean views.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

A mere 2.6 miles from Portland Head Light roadtrippers will stumble upon the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. Spring Point Ledge is a caisson-style light station meaning its base rests on a concrete or metal caisson. Because of the structure's resemblance to spark plugs, many people refer to this style as spark plug lighthouses. Like many lighthouses in Maine, Spring Point Ledge is still active today and is run and maintained mainly by volunteers. The lighthouse offers both public and private tours on a regular schedule. Near the base of the lighthouse, visitors will also find a small gift shop where they can search for souvenirs. 

Burnt Island Light

After enjoying all that Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse has to offer, hop back on US 1, travel roughly 65 miles and you’ll find Burnt Island Light. The historic lighthouse, which is situated on Burnt Island, can only be reached by boat or kayak. Although getting there may be a trek, visitors on Trip Advisor say that it’s worth every second. Many visitors report having sunny picnics on the island or passing by the lighthouse while on a separate boat tour. Built in 1821, Burnt Island Light is the second oldest surviving lighthouse in the state and as such, the lighthouse earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Pemaquid Point Light

The next stop is Pemaquid Point Light, an active lighthouse located inside the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park. According to The American Lighthouse Foundation, the original tower, built in 1827, suffered from poor construction. This required a complete rebuild that finished in 1835. Today, the lighthouse grounds are open for daily tours between May and October. During a tour, visitors can ascend the 38-foot staircase to the top of Pemaquid Point Light. From the top floor, you will see the tower’s Fresnel lens and stunning views of the coast below. Plan to spend extra time here exploring the on-site attractions which include the Fisherman's Museum and the Pemaquid Art Gallery. There is also a Keepers House apartment on site that is available for weekly vacation rentals. 

Marshall Point Lighthouse

Marshall Point Lighthouse is an 1882-era lighthouse situated at the entrance of Port Clyde Harbor. The lighthouse famously appears in the Tom Hanks film Forrest Gump and is open seasonally for tours. While on the grounds visitors can expect to see the lighthouse tower, the keepers' house, a barn, and an oil house. Once inside the Keepers quarters, visitors will find a range of museum artifacts related to the history of Marshal Point and more information about the lighthouse’s involvement in Forrest Gump. Travelers who are interested in exploring can take a short hike to the fishing village of Port Clyde. Here, you will find accommodations, restaurants, and a lively harbor.

Owls Head Lighthouse

Roughly 20 miles from Marshall Point lies the beautiful Owls Head Lighthouse in Owls Head, Maine. The town got its name when sailors arriving in 1759 observed a tall, owl-shaped rock pointing out of the water. The lighthouse itself wasn’t constructed until 1825. The structure was later rebuilt in 1852 and remains an active, though now automated, light station today. The lighthouse grounds are open for tours six days a week between May and October. During a tour, visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse, which sits on an 80-foot bluff and offers unbeatable views of the bay below. There is also a gift shop and museum set up inside the keeper's quarters for visitors to enjoy.

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

The final stop on this incredible road trip is the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. Located just 8 miles from the Owls Head Lighthouse, Rockland Breakwater is a beautiful structure situated at the end of a 7/8-mile long breakwater. The breakwater was built in 1899 followed by the light tower which finished construction in 1902. While walking the breakwater, which is essentially a bridge from the mainland to the lighthouse, visitors can soak up the sparkling bay views and enjoy occasional sightings of seals, dolphins, and shorebirds. Once at the lighthouse, visitors are free to climb to the top of the lantern where they will enjoy a birds-eye view of the bustling harbor below. 

In Conclusion

According to Google Maps, driving to each of these locations will take travelers roughly 244 miles and just over 6 hours to complete–not accounting for time spent admiring the lighthouses. While ambitious and well-seasoned travelers may be able to squeeze this road trip into one day, most will need a few days to truly enjoy each of the 10 stops. Luckily, Maine is home to plenty of cozy accommodations where roadtrippers can get some much-needed rest between driving stints.