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Downeast Maine

Bold Coast
Lighthouses

From the most photographed lighthouse in Maine to a remote island keeper's house you can sleep in — the Bold Coast has some of the most remarkable lighthouses in New England.

Plan My Trip → View All Lighthouses
5
Bold Coast Lighthouses
1808
Oldest (West Quoddy Head)
🇺🇸
Easternmost & Northernmost
The Lighthouses

Five lights.
One wild coast.

The Bold Coast holds two of the most historically significant lighthouses in the United States — and one of the most unusual overnight experiences in all of Maine.

🔴
Must See
Drive-to · State Park
Lubec, Maine
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
The most photographed lighthouse in Maine — and for good reason. The iconic candy-striped red and white tower sits at the easternmost point of the United States, inside West Quoddy Head State Park. First lit in 1808, it has guided ships through the dangerous Quoddy Narrows for over two centuries. Come before sunrise and you'll be the first person in the country to see the sun come up. The state park has 4.5 miles of coastal trails, dramatic cliffs, and views of Campobello Island across the channel.
Easternmost Point in the US First Sunrise in America Est. 1808 State Park Free Entry
Park Info → Explore Lubec
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Stay the Night
Boat Access · Cutler Harbor
Cutler, Maine
Little River Lighthouse
One of the most unique overnight experiences in all of New England. Little River Lighthouse sits on a 15-acre island at the entrance to Cutler Harbor — reachable by a 12-minute boat ride from the Cutler town landing, arranged by the Friends of Little River Lighthouse. The fully restored 1888 keeper's house sleeps up to 6 guests, with three rooms available June through September. No cell service, no crowds, no distractions. Just the sound of the ocean, a working lighthouse beam sweeping overhead, and some of the darkest skies on the East Coast. One of the most unusual places to stay in the entire country.
Overnight Stays Available June – September Est. 1846 Up to 6 Guests From $475/night
Book a Stay → Plan My Trip
🟢
Roadside View
Visible from Shore · Calais
Calais, Maine
Whitlocks Mill Lighthouse
The northernmost lighthouse in the United States, sitting on the banks of the St. Croix River just south of Calais. Built in 1892, it marks a dangerous stretch of the river and is one of the few Maine lighthouses that still has its original Fresnel lens. It's a private residence today, but visible from the road along the river — a beautiful and easily accessible stop when visiting Calais. Best viewed from the pullout along US Route 1 heading south from Calais.
Northernmost Lighthouse in the US Est. 1892 Original Fresnel Lens Roadside View · Free
Explore Calais →
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Waterfront View
Visible from Lubec Waterfront
Lubec, Maine
Lubec Channel Lighthouse
A striking cast-iron sparkplug lighthouse standing in the middle of the Lubec Channel, visible from the Lubec waterfront and the FDR Memorial Bridge. Built in 1890, its distinctive cylindrical design was a practical solution for shallow, rocky channels where a traditional foundation was impossible. Best viewed from the town pier or from Johnson Bay at low tide. A dramatic silhouette against the open water — and worth photographing at golden hour when the light catches the metal tower.
Est. 1890 Cast Iron Sparkplug Design Free · Waterfront View
Explore Lubec →
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Short Drive
Campobello Island, NB · Canada
Campobello Island, New Brunswick
Mulholland Point Lighthouse
Technically in Canada, but a five-minute drive from downtown Lubec across the FDR International Bridge — no ferry required. The red and white lighthouse sits at the southern tip of Campobello Island, overlooking the Lubec Narrows, and is surrounded by Roosevelt Campobello International Park. The park itself is a highlight: 2,800 acres of trails, beaches, and the summer cottage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Cross the bridge, explore the park, and see one more lighthouse while you're at it. A passport or NEXUS card required for border crossing.
Campobello Island, Canada 5 min from Lubec FDR Bridge Crossing Passport Required
Roosevelt Park Info → Explore Lubec
Quick Reference

Plan your lighthouse loop.

All five lighthouses can be visited in a two-day loop based out of Lubec or Machias.

Bold Coast Lighthouse Summary
Lighthouse Location Access Cost Best For
West Quoddy Head Lubec Drive-to Free Sunrise, hiking, photography
Little River Cutler Boat (arranged) From $475/night Overnight stay, dark skies
Whitlocks Mill Calais Roadside view Free History, river scenery
Lubec Channel Lubec Waterfront view Free Photography, golden hour
Mulholland Point Campobello, NB Drive-to (passport) Free FDR Park, cross-border day trip
Build Your Itinerary

We'll build your
lighthouse loop.

Tell our trip planner you want to hit the lighthouses and it'll build a day-by-day itinerary around them — including where to stay, where to eat, and what else to see along the way.

Plan My Trip → Explore Hiking Trails