Bass Harbor Head Light
A white lighthouse built on a rocky cliff in 1858; the lighthouse at sunset, with its coastal ledges, is Acadia's iconic scene.
Bass Harbor Head Light stands at the southwest tip of Mount Desert Island. It was completed in 1858 and is still in operation today. The keeper's residence is a private Coast Guard dwelling and is not open to the public. From the trail you can walk right up to the lighthouse, or descend wooden steps to the rocks by the shore for the classic low-angle view of the lighthouse standing high on the cliff. Crowds gather before sunset and parking spaces are few, so arrive early. The rocks are slippery, so please take care. It is about 40 minutes' drive from Bar Harbor.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00 until after sunset
Nearby sights
- Seawall
- Beech Mountain Fire Tower
- Echo Lake
- Asticou Azalea Garden
- Thuya Garden
- Somes Sound
- Cranberry Isles
- Jordan Pond