The Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse – Portland’s Unique Light in the Harbor

While it may not be as iconic as the Portland Head Lighthouse or Cape Hatteras Light, the Spring Point Ledge Light is one of the most unique lighthouses in Maine. Located across from downtown Portland, the Spring Ledge Lighthouse is at the end of a breakwater in an unusual part of town. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult to add to your visit and you’ll actually love the trek out across the water to this beautiful beacon.

Very near the charming little Bug Light in Portland Harbor, the Spring Ledge Light is one of the five lighthouses you can see from the Portland Head Lighthouse. Are you thinking of crossing the rocks and journeying out to the Spring Ledge Light? I think it’s worth it, and we have some tips to make it a fun, SAFE visit. If you have any questions about visiting the Spring Ledge Lighthouse or any of the others in Maine, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!

Why Visit the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse?

I love a lighthouse visit that’s a bit of a challenge, and the Spring Point Ledge Light is just that. If you are not sure of foot and not up for a skillful walk along the breakwater out to the lighthouse, this isn’t the activity for you. You can still see the lighthouse and enjoy the grounds at Fort Preble, but you won’t be able to get out to the point. I think it’s a fun trek and our kids enjoy it.

Once you are heading out across the granite path to the light, you’ll see that it’s quite an unusual one to visit. The Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is a very squat structure and it’s clearly built to withstand the incoming storms that hit Portland in the winter. You can walk all the way around the lighthouse, but you cannot enter it. There are some cool photos to take here, and if you’re lucky you’ll get some bird and porpoise watching from the breakwater during your visit.

Tips for Visiting Spring Point Ledge Light

I do not recommend visiting the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in stormy or even windy weather. Heck, even high tide on a breezy day will leave you a bit wet. Due to the nature of the lighthouse being far out into Portland Harbor, there is saltwater on both sides of the rock path. When the waves come in off Casco Bay, even though they have to make it past islands and rocks, they can sometimes bring in big splashes and crashes. Add some wind to it and you’re soaked. That’s why visiting in nice weather is best. And ONLY nice weather if you’re visiting the Spring Point Ledge Light in the winter.

When it comes to making your visit a little more interesting, be sure to explore the area leading up to the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. Fort Preble is kind of cool and fun to check out. It’s not as large as Fort Williams at the Portland Head Lighthouse, but there are some structures, stairs and unique views to enjoy as you peruse the area.

Being Prepared for the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

Visiting the Spring Point Ledge Light is a short visit, not more than an hour and a half if you pair it with visiting the Bug Light (Portland Breakwater Lighthouse) as well. When you arrive, you’ll just need to have your camera, a jacket and sturdy shoes. I do not recommend wearing flip-flops for the walk on the breakwater as the granite can be slick and you also don’t want to lose a flip flop between the rocks. Walking here is very similar to walking on the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse path, so be wise and safe about it.

I also do not recommend bringing snacks or an umbrella on the walk out to the lighthouse. The wind likes to move through the harbor pretty swiftly and you don’t want the lightweight items you’re carrying to become trash floating in the ocean. For my lighthouse photography friends out these, the Spring Point Ledge Light isn’t as far off in the distance as the Rockland Breakwater so unless you’re trying to really get up close to some interesting rust up on the tower, you don’t need more than a 250mm lens.

If your goal is birdwatching or looking for porpoises while you’re here, a biggest lens can be useful, and then of course binoculars can sometimes be easier for spotting wildlife initially than using your telephoto. You do you though.

Going Up in the Spring Point Lighthouse

Yes! There are guided tours, limited to a few days a week in the summer. Also, every September there is Maine Open Lighthouse Day. This is an event coordinated by the US Coast Guard where a whole bunch of lighthouses that are typically closed to the public open just for this one day. The Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse participates in Maine Open Lighthouse Day. This isn’t as popular of a tour as the Portland Head Lighthouse where they limit access to no more than 300 people during the event, but in case it’s a busy day, try to get there early to go up in the tower.

Parking at the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

Parking for the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is not too bad usually. The lighthouse is located just beyond the Southern Maine Community College campus, so be mindful to not park in a school parking area. You can drive close to Fort Preble and park on either Bunker Lane or Lighthouse Circle and then walk down the steps to the fort to access the granite causeway out to the Spring Point Ledge Light.