Maine is known for having a lot of lighthouses. In fact, it has 65 historic towers, several of which are located in Mid-Coast Maine. You have many opportunities to take Camden Maine lighthouse tours and see the grounds of many other lighthouses in the area. On top of that, there’s a lot of history to learn about these landmarks. Take a look at our favorite Camden Maine lighthouses.
Favorite Camden Maine Lighthouse Tours
Grindle Point Lighthouse
Just over a 1-hour trip from downtown Camden, the Grindle Point Sailor’s Museum and Lighthouse is located in Isleboro. Since it’s situated on an island, you have to take the Margaret Chase Smith ferry from Lincolnville to get to the tower. As the ferry approaches the Isleboro docks, you can see the square, white brick tower because it’s only a short walk away.
The original tower was built in 1950, but the current 39-foot Camden Maine lighthouse and keeper’s house were built in 1874. The tower remains an active navigational aid for the U.S. Coast Guard, flashing green every four seconds. Also on the grounds are an 1886 boathouse and 1905 oil house.
Later, the keeper’s house was transformed into the Grindle Point Sailor’s Museum, featuring nautical antiques, boat captains’ pictures, paintings, ship models, and a gift shop. The museum and lighthouse are open to the public during July and August, and appointments are available for tours.
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
A major attraction in Rockland, Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is located at the end of a nearly 1-mile breakwater made of granite. The 25-foot, square white tower was built in 1902 with a fog signal house at one corner. It continues to be an active Coast Guard aid, flashing white every five seconds for 17 nautical miles. Additionally, the fog horn sounds once every 15 seconds.
You can walk across the breakwater to the lighthouse. While it’s not necessarily dangerous, we recommend wearing sneakers or tennis shoes because the granite can be uneven and, sometimes, slippery in a few spots. From Memorial Day to Columbus Day, you can take a tour of the tower as long as volunteers are on duty.
Owls Head Lighthouse
In Owls Head just outside of Rockland is Owls Head Lighthouse, another popular attraction in the area. The 26-foot, white conical brick tower was built in 1852. However, the original light was built in 1825. The current structure remains an active navigational aid for the Coast Guard, providing a fixed white light and sounding the fog signal twice every 20 seconds from 100 feet above sea level.
The lighthouse sits at the tip of Owls Head State Park and is accompanied by a historic keeper’s home, which has been turned into a museum and interpretive center. Although you can only tour the lighthouse between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, the museum and gift shop are open most days of the week.
Whitehead Light
On Whitehead Island is Whitehead Light, which is only accessible by boat. There’s parking and a place to embark to the lighthouse at Emery’s Wharf. The original tower was built in 1804, but the current 41-foot asphalt and granite structure was built in 1852. The grounds include an 1888 fog signal house and 1891 keeper’s and oil houses. As an active navigational aid, the occulting green light stays on for four seconds and the fog horn sounds twice every 30 seconds.
While you can explore Whitehead Light, you have to make special arrangements. Specifically, the Whitehead Light Station offers adult enrichment programs. These programs generally run for three to five days. Some examples include knitters retreats, food and craft beer adventures, men’s writing retreats, and mindfulness experiences. When you register for one of the programs, you receive detailed directions for getting to the property.
Scenic Camden Maine Lighthouses
Curtis Island Light
In Camden Harbor, Curtis Island Light is located on Curtis Island, which is a public town park. It’s only accessible by boat and has several footpaths to explore. The original tower was built in 1836, and the current 25-foot white brick structure was built in 1896. A toolshed and keeper’s and oil houses are on the property too.
Although you can’t tour this Camden Maine lighthouse, you can get some great pictures of it via cruise boats or the Curtis Lighthouse Overlook. The lighthouse is still an active Coast Guard aid, lighting green for four seconds and going dark for one second.
Indian Island Lighthouse
Just over 3 miles from downtown Camden, Indian Island Lighthouse is located on a small island in Rockport Harbor. The original structure was built in 1850, but the current 31-foot, square white tower was built in 1875. The light was taken out of service as a navigational aid in 1934 and is now privately owned. Because of that, it’s not open to public tours but is a beautiful sight from a cruise boat or Rockport Marine Park.
Fort Point Lighthouse
North of the Rockport and Camden Maine lighthouses, Fort Point Lighthouse is located in Stockton Springs at Fort Point State Park. The station was originally established in 1836, and the current 31-foot white brick light was built in 1857 along with the keeper’s house.
The grounds feature an 1890 pyramidal bell tower and barn and an 1897 oil house — all of which you can explore from 9 a.m. to sunset during the summer. As an active navigational aid, the tower has a fixed white light with a range of 15 nautical miles.
Eagle Island Lighthouse
Located on Eagle Island, almost directly east of the Camden Maine lighthouse, Eagle Island Lighthouse is a 30-foot stone conical tower that was built in 1839 and has undergone repairs over the years. A wood-frame bell tower was built and a bronze fog bell was installed in 1932.
The lighthouse remains a U.S. Coast Guard navigational aid, flashing a white light every four seconds. Since it isn’t open to the public for tours, the best vantage point to see the lighthouse is via boat. However, you can see it from the western side of Deer Island as well.
Two Bush Island Lighthouse
Back on the mainland and south of the Rockport and Camden Maine lighthouses, South Thomaston is home to Two Bush Island Lighthouse. Unlike the other towers on this list, it’s part of the Maine Coastal Island National Wildlife Refuge. The 42-foot brick light was built in 1897 with a keeper’s house.
However, the Green Berets were allowed to tear down the keeper’s house during demolition exercises in 1970. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to use it as a navigational aid, flashing white every five seconds. The tower has red sector lights and a fog signal that blasts once every 15 seconds too.
Marshall Point Lighthouse
The southernmost lighthouse that’s not too far from Camden and Rockland is Marshall Point Lighthouse at the end of St. George peninsula in Port Clyde. The station was originally established in 1832, but the current 31-foot granite and brick tower was built in 1857. Around the lighthouse are an 1895 keeper’s house, 1905 oil house, and gardens.
The light is still active for the Coast Guard. Although the grounds are open to the public, the lighthouse isn’t. Until about mid-October, you can visit the Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum in the keeper’s house to see interesting exhibits about the area’s culture and history.
Mid-Coast Maine Lighthouse Cruises & Aerial Tours
The best way to see the Camden Maine lighthouse and others in the greater area is to hop on a boat or plane. Here is a list of some great companies that offer cruises of Penobscot Bay on schooners and windjammers, departing from Camden:
- Windjammer Angelique
- Schooner Appledore II
- Schooner Lewis R. French
- Maine Windjammer Cruises
- Schooner Mary Day
- Schooner Olad & Cutter Owl
- Schooner Surprise
Also departing from Camden is Camden Harbor Cruises on the Lively Lady lobster boat. The boat gets close to many lighthouses and seaside mansions around the bay. You could even get a lesson in lobstering and can participate in helping haul in lobster traps.
Another option on the water is Bufflehead Sailing Charters, which sails from Rockland on a wooden gaff sloop. It offers a range of daysails, lobster bakes, picnics, and custom excursions.
If you want a more scenic view of the Camden Maine lighthouse and others in the region, book a flight with Penobscot Island Air at Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head. Lighthouse tours are one of its specialties, so you could see any of the towers listed above alongside other island lighthouses, such as:
- Goose Rocks Lighthouse in North Haven
- Browns Head Lighthouse in Vinalhaven
- Heron Neck Lighthouse in Vinalhaven
- Isle au Haut Lighthouse in Isle Au Haut
Stay at a Cozy Camden Maine Hotel Near Lighthouses
In between trips and tours of Camden Maine lighthouses, you need a comfortable and convenient place to stay. The Country Inn has ideal Camden Maine hotel accommodations whether you’re traveling as a couple, family of four, or with a furry friend in tow. And just down the road, Glen Cove Inn & Suites offers seasonal accommodations at its close-to-Camden Maine inn in Rockland.
Start planning your Camden Maine lighthouse tour getaway by checking our availability.