Acadia National Park is famous for its rugged coastline, granite peaks, and sweeping ocean views, but it’s also home to one of Maine’s most photographed lighthouses. Bass Harbor Head Light, perched on the cliffs of Mount Desert Island, is the only lighthouse located within the park itself. Beyond Acadia’s boundaries, several other historic lighthouses dot the nearby islands and shoreline, many of which can be seen on a short drive or a scenic boat cruise from Bar Harbor.
This guide highlights the 10 lighthouses near Acadia National Park, from the iconic sunset spot at Bass Harbor to the remote light stations offshore. For each, you’ll learn where it’s located, the best ways to see it (by car, ferry, or tour), and tips for making the most of your visit.
TL;DR: 10 Lighthouses Near Acadia National Park
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick look at the best lighthouses near Acadia, how to see them, and when they shine brightest.
| Lighthouse | Location / Distance from Bar Harbor | How to See It | Best Time | Can You Visit Inside? |
| Bass Harbor Head Light | Mount Desert Island (≈30 min drive) | Short walk from lot | Sunset | No |
| Egg Rock Light | Frenchman Bay (boat only) | Bar Harbor cruises | Morning/afternoon | No |
| Bear Island Light | Off Northeast Harbor (boat only) | Boat tour views only | Midday | No |
| Baker Island Light | Cranberry Isles (boat/ferry) | Ranger-led or tour (seasonal) | Midday | Sometimes |
| Winter Harbor Light | Schoodic Peninsula (≈1 hr drive) | Viewpoints / cruises | Afternoon | No |
| Prospect Harbor Light | Gouldsboro (≈1 hr drive) | Shoreline view only | Anytime | No |
| Petit Manan Light | Offshore near Milbridge | Cruises only | Morning | No |
| Great Duck Island Light | Offshore, Cranberry Isles | Cruises only | Midday | No |
| Mount Desert Rock Light | 20+ miles offshore | Special cruises | Clear days | No |
| Burnt Coat Harbor Light | Swan’s Island (ferry from Bass Harbor) | Grounds/tower open seasonally | Midday | Yes |
Quick trip ideas:
- Half-day: Take a Bar Harbor lighthouse cruise (Egg Rock, Bear, Winter Harbor, Petit Manan) and end with sunset at Bass Harbor Head.
- Full day: Explore the Schoodic Peninsula for Winter Harbor and Prospect Harbor Lights, or ride the ferry to Swan’s Island to tour Burnt Coat Harbor Light.
Bass Harbor Head Light (Acadia National Park)
Where It Is
Bass Harbor Head Light sits on Mount Desert Island inside Acadia National Park, about a 30-minute drive from Bar Harbor.
How to See It
This is the only lighthouse located within Acadia itself and one of the park’s most popular stops. A short paved path leads from the parking lot to a viewing platform, while wooden stairs descend to the rocky shoreline for the iconic postcard view. The rocks can be slick, so wear sturdy shoes if you plan to scramble down for photos.
Best Time to Visit
Sunset is the prime time, expect crowds and a full parking lot on summer evenings. The lighthouse glows against the western sky, making it one of Maine’s most photographed sunset spots. For a quieter experience, try early morning or off-season visits in spring and fall.
Visitor Access
The lighthouse and keeper’s house serve as Coast Guard housing, so the tower itself is not open to the public. Visitors can explore the grounds and nearby rocks only.
Pro tip: The small parking lot fills quickly. If you arrive at sunset and it’s full, consider returning earlier in the day or visiting outside peak season. Clear nights also make this a rewarding spot for stargazing and night sky photography.
Egg Rock Light (Frenchman Bay)
Where It Is
Egg Rock Light stands on a small island in Frenchman Bay, just offshore from Bar Harbor. It’s the closest offshore lighthouse to Acadia and often spotted while exploring the Park Loop Road’s coastal viewpoints.
How to See It
The lighthouse is best seen by water. Several Bar Harbor boat tours and lighthouse cruises pass directly by Egg Rock, giving close-up views. On clear days, you may also catch a distant glimpse from the Schooner Head Overlook along the Park Loop Road, though it’s far offshore.
Best Time to Visit
Morning and afternoon cruises provide the best light for photography, when the sun illuminates the white tower and keeper’s house against the bay. Wildlife is a bonus. Seals, seabirds, and even bald eagles are often spotted around the island.
Visitor Access
Egg Rock is not open to the public. The island is maintained as a bird sanctuary, and visitors must stay offshore. All views are from the water or distant land-based lookouts.
Pro tip: If you’re already planning a whale watch, puffin, or lighthouse cruise out of Bar Harbor, Egg Rock will almost always be the first lighthouse you see.
Book an Acadia National Park Tour Today!
Bear Island Light (Northeast Harbor)
Where It Is
Bear Island Light is located at the entrance to Northeast Harbor, just off the southeastern side of Mount Desert Island. It sits on a small wooded island that helps guide vessels into the harbor.
How to See It
The lighthouse is not accessible by land. The only way to see it up close is from the water. Several local boat tours and cruises out of Bar Harbor or Northeast Harbor pass by Bear Island on their routes. From shore, there are limited and distant vantage points.
Best Time to Visit
Midday cruises often provide the best viewing conditions, with good light on the island and fewer shadows. Because the station sits close to shore, it’s a frequent and reliable stop on lighthouse and nature tours.
Visitor Access
The light station is leased for private use and is not open to the public. While you can’t go ashore, passing boat tours provide excellent views of the white tower and lighthouse keeper’s house.
Pro tip: Pair a boat trip to see Bear Island Light with a visit to the nearby Cranberry Isles for a full day exploring the quieter side of Mount Desert Island.
Baker Island Light (Cranberry Isles)
Where It Is
Baker Island Light is located on Baker Island, part of the Cranberry Isles southeast of Mount Desert Island. The lighthouse was first built in 1828 to guide ships approaching Mount Desert Island from the south.
How to See It
The island is only accessible by boat. In past years, ranger-led tours from Bar Harbor included a landing and guided hike to the lighthouse, though schedules change and these programs are not always offered. Some independent boat operators also include Baker Island on lighthouse cruises, but landings are less common today.
Best Time to Visit
Midday is typically best for photography, when the sun illuminates the station’s white tower and red-roofed keeper’s house. If you’re able to land, allow time for a short walk across fields and past stone walls to reach the light.
Visitor Access
Access can be limited. While the island is open to the public as part of Acadia National Park, regular ranger-led excursions were discontinued in 2024. You can still view the lighthouse from the water, but check with the park or local tour companies for any seasonal programs that might allow landings.
Pro tip: If you can’t land, don’t worry. Baker Island Light is often paired with other offshore lighthouses on cruises, making it easy to see multiple lights in one outing.
Winter Harbor Light (Schoodic Peninsula)
Where It Is
Winter Harbor Light sits on Mark Island at the entrance to Winter Harbor, just off the Schoodic Peninsula, the quieter, less crowded part of Acadia National Park. It’s about an hour’s drive from Bar Harbor.
How to See It
The lighthouse is visible from several spots along the Schoodic Loop Road, which offers sweeping coastal views. For closer looks, lighthouse and wildlife cruises departing from Bar Harbor often pass by the island on their routes.
Best Time to Visit
Afternoon light highlights the station’s white tower and keeper’s house against the surrounding blue water. The Schoodic Peninsula is also a prime spot for sunset landscapes, where the lighthouse can be framed with dramatic skies.
Visitor Access
Winter Harbor Light is privately owned and not open to the public. Views are limited to shoreline lookouts or offshore cruises.
Pro tip: Combine a drive to Schoodic with stops at Prospect Harbor Light and local trails for a full-day trip away from the crowds of Mount Desert Island.
Prospect Harbor Light (Gouldsboro)
Where It Is
Prospect Harbor Light stands at the entrance to Prospect Harbor in the town of Gouldsboro, just east of the Schoodic Peninsula. It’s about a one-hour drive from Bar Harbor.
How to See It
The lighthouse is located on a U.S. Navy property and is not open to the public. However, you can view it from across the harbor along Route 186, where there are a few shoreline vantage points. Binoculars or a zoom lens will help you capture clearer views from shore.
Best Time to Visit
Anytime of day works, since the lighthouse is best seen from a distance rather than up close. Clear afternoons provide the best lighting on the tower.
Visitor Access
Because the station sits on restricted land, the grounds and tower are closed. Visitors must view Prospect Harbor Light from outside the property.
Pro tip: Prospect Harbor pairs well with a Schoodic Peninsula trip, so stop here after visiting Winter Harbor Light for an easy two-lighthouse outing by car.
Petit Manan Light (Milbridge)
Where It Is
Petit Manan Light rises from Petit Manan Island, part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It’s located off the coast near Milbridge, about 25 miles east of Bar Harbor. At 119 feet, it’s one of Maine’s tallest lighthouses.
How to See It
The island is closed to protect nesting seabirds, but the lighthouse can be seen from the water. Several Bar Harbor lighthouse cruises include Petit Manan on their routes, often alongside wildlife viewing. On clear days, it’s also visible in the distance from Petit Manan Point in Milbridge after a short hike.
Best Time to Visit
Morning cruises usually offer the best light on the granite tower. The area is also prime for spotting puffins, making summer tours especially rewarding.
Visitor Access
The island is not open to the public, so the lighthouse is viewable only from the water or distant shorelines. Landing is prohibited.
Pro tip: If puffin watching is on your list, pick a tour that highlights Petit Manan. You’ll get both the lighthouse and a chance to see Maine’s most famous seabirds.
Great Duck Island Light (Cranberry Isles)
Where It Is
Great Duck Island Light sits on Great Duck Island, about nine miles south of Mount Desert Island in the Cranberry Isles. The station has served as a key navigation aid for vessels approaching Frenchman Bay.
How to See It
The island is not set up for tourism and primarily supports wildlife research programs. The lighthouse can be seen only from the water. Several Bar Harbor cruises pass by the island on their offshore routes.
Best Time to Visit
Midday cruises provide good light on the tower and keeper’s house, which stand out against the wooded island backdrop. Clear summer days are best for long-range photography.
Visitor Access
The island is closed to the public and maintained for seabird research by the College of the Atlantic. The lighthouse is not open for tours, so all views are offshore.
Pro tip: Great Duck Island is often included on the same boat routes that feature Mount Desert Rock Light. Booking a longer cruise gives you the chance to see both in one trip.
Mount Desert Rock Light (College of the Atlantic)
Where It Is
Mount Desert Rock Light is perched on a tiny rocky outcrop about 20 miles south of Mount Desert Island. It is one of Maine’s most remote lighthouses, exposed to the open Atlantic with no natural shelter.
How to See It
The lighthouse is far offshore, so the only way to view it is on special boat tours from Bar Harbor. Some whale watch and extended lighthouse cruises include it on clear-weather days, though reaching it depends on sea conditions.
Best Time to Visit
Because of its distance, visibility is best on clear days with calm seas. Midday cruises typically provide the strongest light on the granite tower. The remoteness also makes it a dramatic photography subject, standing alone against the ocean horizon.
Visitor Access
Mount Desert Rock is owned by the College of the Atlantic and used as a marine research station. The lighthouse is not open to the public, and landings are highly restricted.
Pro tip: If your goal is to see as many lighthouses as possible, book a long-range cruise specifically mentioning Mount Desert Rock. It’s one of the rarest lights to check off your Acadia-area list.
Burnt Coat Harbor Light (Swan’s Island)
Where It Is
Burnt Coat Harbor Light, also known as Hockamock Head Light, stands on Swan’s Island about six miles south of Mount Desert Island. It guards the entrance to Burnt Coat Harbor, a longtime fishing and ferry hub.
How to See It
The lighthouse is accessible by the Maine State Ferry, which runs from Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island to Swan’s Island in about 40 minutes. From the ferry terminal, it’s a short drive or bike ride (about 3.5 miles) to the light station. The grounds are open to the public, and a small museum inside the keeper’s house shares the island’s maritime history.
Best Time to Visit
Midday visits offer the best light on the tower and buildings, though the site is beautiful at any time. Summer and early fall are the most convenient times to combine a lighthouse visit with a day of exploring the island’s quiet beaches and trails.
Visitor Access
Unlike most offshore lights near Acadia, Burnt Coat Harbor Light is open to visitors. The grounds and keeper’s house museum are accessible seasonally, and tower climbs are sometimes offered during the summer.
Pro tip: Plan to bring a car or bike on the ferry. This makes it easy to visit the lighthouse, explore other parts of the island, and still catch the return boat the same day.
Sample Itineraries: Seeing Lighthouses Around Acadia
Half-Day Lighthouse Trip
- Morning or afternoon cruise from Bar Harbor: See Egg Rock Light, Bear Island Light, Winter Harbor Light, and Petit Manan Light in one outing. Wildlife sightings (puffins, seals, eagles) are often included.
- Evening at Bass Harbor Head Light: End your day with a sunset view at Acadia’s only on-land lighthouse. Arrive early to secure parking.
Full-Day Lighthouse Trip (By Car + Cruise)
- Morning cruise: Start with a Bar Harbor lighthouse tour to cover offshore lights.
- Drive the Schoodic Peninsula: In the afternoon, continue by car to see Winter Harbor Light from the Schoodic Loop Road and Prospect Harbor Light from across the bay.
- Optional stop: Stay for sunset at Schoodic Point, less crowded than Bass Harbor but just as dramatic.
Day Trip to Swan’s Island
- Morning ferry from Bass Harbor: Take the Maine State Ferry to Swan’s Island (≈40 minutes).
- Explore Burnt Coat Harbor Light: Tour the grounds, museum, and, if open, the lighthouse tower.
- Afternoon on the island: Enjoy Swan’s Island’s quiet beaches, trails, and fishing village atmosphere before catching the return ferry.
Pro tip: If you have two days, pair a Bar Harbor cruise + Bass Harbor Head Light on Day 1 with a Swan’s Island trip on Day 2 for a well-rounded lighthouse experience.
Photography & Practical Tips
Best Times for Photos
- Bass Harbor Head Light: Sunset is the most iconic time, with the lighthouse framed against the glowing sky. Arrive early. Parking is limited, and the rocky shoreline fills up with photographers quickly.
- Egg Rock & Bear Island Lights: Morning and afternoon cruises give the best light, when the sun hits the towers head-on.
- Schoodic Peninsula lights (Winter Harbor & Prospect Harbor): Afternoon and evening offer the most dramatic lighting, especially with the peninsula’s wide ocean views.
Parking and Access
- Parking is very limited at Bass Harbor Head Light. Plan to arrive well before sunset or visit in the morning to avoid frustration.
- Schoodic Peninsula offers more space and fewer crowds, making it a great alternative for those who want a quieter experience.
- Offshore lighthouses are only visible from cruises. Check tour schedules in advance, especially during peak summer weekends.
Safety and Comfort
- Coastal rocks can be slippery. Wear sturdy shoes if scrambling to photo spots at Bass Harbor or along Schoodic’s shoreline.
- Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens to make the most of distant lighthouse views, especially at Prospect Harbor Light.
- Maine’s coastal weather changes quickly, so carry a light jacket, even on summer boat tours.
Pro tip: If you want night sky photos, Bass Harbor and Schoodic Point are excellent dark-sky spots. Plan around a new moon for the clearest views of the Milky Way above the lighthouse.
Plan Your Lighthouse Adventure Around Acadia
Acadia National Park and its surrounding coastline offer some of the most memorable lighthouse experiences in Maine. From the easily accessible Bass Harbor Head Light to the remote towers seen only on cruises, each one adds a layer of maritime history to your visit. Whether you’re catching a sunset on Mount Desert Island, driving the quiet roads of the Schoodic Peninsula, or hopping a ferry to Swan’s Island, these lights highlight the rugged beauty that defines the Downeast coast.
Exploring a few of the 10 lighthouses near Acadia National Park is an easy way to enrich your trip. Just decide if you’d rather explore by car, ferry, or boat tour, and let Maine’s coastal landmarks guide the way.
FAQs About Lighthouses Near Acadia National Park
Can you go inside Bass Harbor Head Light?
No. The lighthouse and keeper’s house are Coast Guard housing, so the tower is closed to the public. You can walk the short path to the viewing areas but not enter the buildings.
Which lighthouses can you see without a boat?
You can reach Bass Harbor Head Light by car and foot, and you can view Winter Harbor Light and Prospect Harbor Light from the Schoodic Peninsula. All other nearby lights require a boat tour or ferry to see.
Do ranger tours still go to Baker Island Light?
Not regularly. The ranger-led programs that once landed visitors on Baker Island were discontinued in 2024. The island is still part of Acadia National Park, but access is limited. Most visitors see it only by boat.
Which lighthouse is best for sunset photos?
Bass Harbor Head Light is the most popular spot at sunset, with the lighthouse framed against the cliffs and ocean. Arrive early, especially in summer, as parking is limited and crowds are common.
