The 7 Best Camden Lighthouses to Visit

Lighthouses are an iconic symbol of maritime culture, especially on the East Coast. The oldest lighthouse in Maine, Portland Head Light, located in Cape Elizabeth, dates back to the late 1700s. Through the 1800s and mid-1900s, lighthouses were used to help sailors navigate the seas. Our favorite way to learn more about the cultural and historical significance of lighthouses near Camden, Maine, is to visit local lighthouses and museums. Continue reading to learn more about the best lighthouses along Mid-Coast Maine!

Ready to light up your getaway to Midcoast Maine? Request a copy of our complimentary Travel Guide. This resource is filled with local insight on how to spend your time in our area. 

7 of the Best Historic Lighthouses Near Camden, Maine

Historically, lighthouses were an especially popular navigation tool in Maine, the second most lighthouse-abundant state in the U.S., only preceded by Michigan. Today, there are 65 lighthouses scattered across the Maine Coast for visitors to view. Or, you can visit the lighthouse museums below for a lesson on their historical and cultural significance in this area. Be sure to visit one or both spots when you travel to Camden, Maine. 

1. Maine Lighthouse Museum

The Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine, is one of the best places to visit to learn about Maine’s lighthouses. This lighthouse museum features exhibits that highlight the importance of these structures to the U.S. Coast Guard, lady lightkeepers, and more. It’s an affordable activity, too. Museum tickets are $8 per adult entry, $6 for seniors, and free of charge for children. 

2. Grindle Point Sailor’s Museum and Lighthouse 

Grindle Point Sailor’s Museum and Lighthouse is located in Islesboro, Maine, just about an hour’s drive from Camden. During your visit, you can tour Grindle Point Lighthouse, which offers peaceful views of the Penobscot Bay. The on-site museum does a great job of highlight Midcoast Maine’s maritime history, with nautical artifacts like antiques and art. This lighthouse museum is only open from July through Labor Day, so it’s a great activity for your summer in Camden, Maine. 

3. Curtis Island Lighthouse

The Curtis Island Lighthouse is at the entrance of the Camden Harbor. It’s only accessible only by boat. It’s a great view, from a boat or just from the coast.

4. Indian Island Lighthouse

The Indian Island Lighthouse, which is privately owned and not open to the public, is located on a tiny island, at the entrance of the Rockport Bay. It can only be reached by boat, but it can be seen from the Rockport Marine Park.

5. Breakwater Lighthouse

The Breakwater Lighthouse is located in Rockland, just eight miles south of Camden. You can reach it through a pleasant walk on a 7/8-mile-long breakwater cutting the ocean’s water.

6. Owls Head Lighthouse

The Owls Head Lighthouse is 14 miles south of Camden in Owls Head. A beautiful short trail goes on the edge of the ocean and brings you from the parking lot to the lighthouse. The location is amazing and the view from the top of the hill, where the lighthouse is, can be defined just by one word: breathtaking.

7. Marshall Point Lighthouse

The Marshall Point Lighthouse is located 26 miles south of Camden in Port Clyde. It is very well-known because of the movie Forrest Gump, as this is where Tom Hanks’ unending run finally ends. Apart from this, the beauty of the location and the peculiarity of the lighthouse are unique. There is also a small and very interesting museum.

Reserve a Room at the Camden Maine Stay Inn 

Consider a stay in the Dogwood Room. This spacious room is located on the first floor of the Inn and features a queen-size bed, a private bathroom, two reading chairs, and peaceful views of the Inn’s garden. This room also boasts wide-plank wood floors that are original to the home. 

Check our availability to start planning to enjoy all these great things to do! 

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