The Portland Head Lighthouse – the Most Iconic Sight in Maine

Probably the most famous lighthouse in the Northeast, the Portland Head Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. It’s famous for lots of reasons, but I think the draw is really just that it’s so beautiful. The structure itself is picturesque with such beautiful surroundings that even if it weren’t the oldest lighthouse in Maine, it would still be famous. When you visit the Portland Head Lighthouse, you cannot go up into it (except one day a year, more on that below) but you can enjoy the grounds, the rocks, the park and the view to five other lighthouses, including the Spring Point Ledge Light, Bug Light and Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse.

Have you been to the Portland Head Lighthouse before? Whether you’re here in summer or winter, it’s a lovely spot to visit and is one of my favorite lighthouses in Maine. We’ve got tips for visiting and photographing the Portland Head Lighthouse as well of other lights worth adding to your time in Maine. If you have any questions about this or any other spots around the state, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.

Why Visit the Portland Head Lighthouse

Visiting the Portland Head Lighthouse is an easy day trip, great for an afternoon. It’s always beautiful, even in the crazy stormy rain. While this is one of the most recognizable lighthouses around, even if you’ve not been here yet, it’s not the lighthouse that’s featured on the Maine state quarter. That’s the Nubble Light to the south. The Portland Head Lighthouse has been featured in countless films, stories, articles and documentaries, so it’s iconic in its own right. Before visiting for the first time, I’d done at least three different puzzles with images of the Portland Head Lighthouse.

When you visit, one of the cool things that makes this particular lighthouse a great one is the tidepools and lower angle you can view it from. After you park and walk towards the light station, you’ll see that there are actually pathways all around (this is a large park). Head south and you’ll find the access paths for being able to go on the rocks. Please follow the restricted access signs though and make safe choices about going towards the water. The paths and rocks can be slick in the rain or when there have been large waves breaking.

Tips for a Day at the Portland Head Light and Park

I think the same as everybody else: the best time to visit the Portland Head Lighthouse is on a warm summer afternoon… but did you know that you can visit it year round, and if you’re here in the winter there will likely be nobody else unless it’s a non-freezing weekend? When you come to the Portland Head Lighthouse, you’re actually visiting Fort Williams Park in South Portland. The park is full of trails and bunkers and wonderful open spaces to play frisbee and the likes.

In the summer, visit the lighthouse is just the bonus of coming to Fort Williams Park. In the winter, the park is a windy spot that can be extra cold, but still pretty. The shrubbery around the lighthouse and vegetation is all dormant, so visiting the Portland Head Light in winter is a much more sober depiction of Maine life.

The best time of day to visit the Portland Head Lighthouse is either morning for sunrise, particularly in the summer, or late afternoon for golden hour and the low light illuminates the white and red structure. Visiting midday brings harsh light, and if you’re into photography like I am, you know it’s just not the best time of day to get pictures of a lighthouse.

Being Prepared for Fort Williams and the Portland Head Lighthouse

Be ready for a full day when you come to the Portland Head Lighthouse and Fort Williams Park. Between enjoying the lighthouse and museum (hours listed below) and then roaming the rest of the park, you can easily spend several hours here in the summer. There are great picnic areas and even access to the rocky beach below (not directly below the lighthouse) that are great for tidepooling and looking for sea creatures. Come with your camera for taking photos, food and a blanket for picnic time, and sporting gear to burn off energy on the ball fields.

Can You Go IN the Portland Head Lighthouse?

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 Portland Head Lighthouse participates in Maine Open Lighthouse Day, but they limit access to no more than 300 people during the event. While most of the other lighthouses do see an influx of visitors on this day, the Portland Head Light has to do a ticketed entry, first come first served. Tickets are distributed on the morning of the event and it’s the only opportunity you’ll have to go in the lighthouse.

Parking at Fort Williams and the Lighthouse

Fort Williams Park, the location of the Portland Head Lighthouse, does require you to pay for parking and they do indeed monitor it. There are parking payment kiosks at the different parking areas, so don’t think you can pop in and go for a stroll without taking care of it. It’s much easier to pay for parking (the machines take credit cards) than to pay for a ticket. If you’re biking around Portland, there are bike racks at the Portland Head Lighthouse, so you’re welcome to lock it up there while you’re exploring. I highly recommend renting bikes if you’ve visiting in summer, because South Portland is really pretty and fun to explore on bike.