Last updated: August 7, 2026
Place
Bass Harbor Head Light Station
Photo courtesy of Kevin Lai. Used with permission.
Quick Facts
Location:
Tremont, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay
Significance:
Congress appropriated $5,000 for construction of the lighthouse in 1855
Designation:
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988
Amenities
7 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles
Located in Tremont, Maine, on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island, Bass Harbor Head Light Station marks the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay. Of Maine's nearly 80 historic lighthouses, it is one of only a few accessible by vehicle and the only lighthouse in Acadia National Park that visitors can easily reach by car. Acadia manages three lighthouses within the park, including Bass Harbor Head Light Station, Baker Island Light, and Bear Island Light.
One of Acadia's most recognizable landmarks, the lighthouse appeared on the America the Beautiful quarter in 2012 and the National Park Service Centennial postage stamp in 2016. With approximately 180,000 visitors each year, it is the most visited destination on the west side of Mount Desert Island and the park's fifth most popular site, following Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole.
Visiting Bass Harbor Light
A quarter-mile entrance road leads to a small parking area with 27 spaces, restrooms, and a short boardwalk trail to shoreline viewpoints. Because parking is limited and roadside parking is prohibited along Lighthouse Road and Route 102A, visitors should expect congestion, especially around sunset, when photographers gather to capture the iconic coastal views.
The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but visitors may explore the grounds and enjoy several viewing areas. Public transportation does not currently serve the site, and buses, trailers, and RVs are not permitted because of the narrow entrance road and limited parking.
An Acadia National Park pass, or other valid National Park Service pass is required for parking
Viewing Areas
Three designated accessible parking spaces are located near the entrance to the viewing area. From there, visitors can enjoy a wheelchair-accessible packed gravel overlook with excellent views of the lighthouse and surrounding coastline. An accessible restroom is located at the end of the parking lot.Additional viewing opportunities include:
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Accessible Overlook: A packed gravel viewing area directly in front of the accessible parking spaces.
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Lighthouse View: A steep paved driveway leading to the lighthouse and an interpretive wayside exhibit.
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Cliff Viewpoint: A short gravel path followed by a wooden staircase (37 steps) and 27 wide stone steps leading to dramatic shoreline views.
History
Congress authorized construction of Bass Harbor Head Light Station in 1858 to help guide vessels entering Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay, supporting Maine's vital maritime transportation network. The station was recognized for its historical and architectural significance and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
In 1937, the National Park Service acquired a 52-acre parcel surrounding the station, including the entrance road, parking area, restroom, hiking trail, and shoreline viewpoint. Ownership of the historic light station itself transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to the National Park Service on July 8, 2020, while the Coast Guard retained responsibility for operating and maintaining the automated navigational light.
Following the transfer, the Coast Guard modernized the beacon by replacing the white lamp with a red LED, allowing the removal of the red acrylic "chimney" that had surrounded the historic Fresnel lens while preserving the lighthouse's distinctive red light.
Today, Bass Harbor Head Light Station remains both an active aid to navigation and one of Acadia National Park's most photographed and beloved historic landmarks.