Hiking to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse: Easy and Beautiful on the Kennebec River

We love hiking and we love lighthouses, so visiting the Squirrel Point Lighthouse on the Kennebec River is a wonderful treat. Located on the bluff with the Kennebec flowing below, the Squirrel Point Lighthouse is unique and not what you expect given how the other iconic lighthouses all along the Maine Coast are built and situated. We’ve got the full scoop on how you can visit the Squirrel Point Lighthouse and some other recommendations for things to do in the area around Bath.

This part of MidCoast Maine is easy to overlook on your way to more popular destinations like Camden and Boothbay Harbor, but we enjoy it and have plenty of travel advice to share. If you have any questions about visiting the Squirrel Point Lighthouse or other beautiful maritime sites in the area, please leave a comment or send us a note. We are always happy to share more and help you plan a wonderful time exploring Maine.

Need to Know for Hiking to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse

There are only a few lighthouses in Maine that you need to reach by hiking, and the Squirrel Point Lighthouse is one of them. The drive to the trailhead isn’t bad, but the road is unpaved for a good portion. In the summer, it can get busy here at the trailhead as both the Squirrel Point Lighthouse and the Bald Head hike go from the same area. Don’t let that discourage you though, when I say busy I mean that you may see other folks on the trail but it’s never busy like the Bass Harbor Lighthouse in Acadia National Park.

The hike is easy at 1.4 miles round trip and there’s no big hills of any sort. The trail to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse is a spur off the Bald Head hike, so be sure that you follow the signs. You’ll cross some small bridges and when it’s soggy (raining or mud season) you’ll need to step thoughtfully in a few places, but in general it doesn’t get that bad. I’ve been on muddy hikes in Maine and this one doesn’t compare with some of the hikes up in the Highlands.

Once you’ve made it to Squirrel Point it’s just beautiful. Looking out over the Kennebec River, there are trails all around the point to take in different views of the lighthouse and enjoy the nature. It’s very different here that the Owls Head Lighthouse, which is also a hike, in that here you’re just above river level while out at that lighthouse hike you’re on a trail and then grand staircase to the views and up to the tower. I love how many different lighthouse experiences there are in Maine!

Note: the Squirrel Point Lighthouse is NOT open to the public EXCEPT on Maine Open Lighthouse Day in September.

Tips for the Squirrel Point Lighthouse Hike

Plan to do the hike to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse in the morning or later afternoon. It’s busiest here during the midday hours with people doing both this and the Bald Head hikes, so if you can get on the trail early or during the golden hour, you’ll have the best experience. The hike isn’t difficult and in total should only take you up to an hour and a half to do the whole thing and have time relaxing at Squirrel Point or following the other bunny trails, but be sure that you plan your hike to be back before the sun is down and it’s dark. This is a beautiful place to enjoy sunset, but since the trial can be squishy and you have some quasi-sketchy footing, you’ll want to be back safely and soon after sunset.

Since you’re out here in the Arrowsic area, be sure that you also take time to visit the Doubling Point Lighthouse. That one isn’t a hike, but it’s really pretty and has a nice boardwalk out to it, as it sits out ON the Kennebec River. Also, the Georgetown and Five Islands area is really pretty to explore and there is some wonderful birding out there.

Being Prepared for a Day at Squirrel Point Light

You can’t go wrong in Maine with your Xtratuf rubber boots, but on a dry day regular shoes should be fine for hiking to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse. In the snow, any sort of snow boots (or wellies) should be good for the hike. Also, because you’re hiking through the shaded woods and then the breezy riverbanks, dress warmly for the weather you see and the weather that could roll in.

In the summertime you may also be irritated by mosquitoes here. The trail to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse does cross a few streams and boggy areas which tend to have a lot of mosquitoes, so plan ahead and apply insect repellant before you do the hike. The bugs aren’t bad in the open area near the lighthouse, but in the woods and on the narrow trails they can be irritating.

The Kennebec River at the Squirrel Point Lighthouse is a great place for birdwatching, so bring your camera! The lighthouse is easy to photograph from many angles, as it’s in the open and is easily reached, but the wildlife is a bit trickier because it tends to hang out in the trees and floating on the Kennebec River. Be ready with both a wide angle lens and a telephoto for the wildlife shots.

Parking at the Squirrel Point Lighthouse Trailhead

Parking for the Squirrel Point Lighthouse trail is limited, but if you’re there on an iffy weather day or nice and early, there should be plenty of parking. It’s a dirt lot so plan to get a little muddy if it’s been raining or you’re visiting in spring. The drive to the Squirrel Point Lighthouse and Bald Head trails isn’t bad, but it’s on a winding road that’s unpaved for most of the way. You should be fine to drive it in any sort of car, just be responsible and cautious of other drivers and wildlife, especially in the more curved areas.