Photograph Portland Head Light
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Details
Distance
0.5 miles
Route Type
Point-to-Point
Description
Added by Chris Mongeau
Take in amazing views of one of Maine's most iconic lighthouses. Head out on a short walking path through Fort Williams Park with plenty of rocks to climb.
Portland Head Light is one of Maine's most iconic and picturesque lighthouses that offers stunning views year round. Located just about 15 minutes outside of Portland, Maine, it's the perfect place to go to watch an early winter sunset and enjoy some ocean views. To get to the light house, you will enter at Fort Williams Park and follow the winding road up a short hill towards the parking lot.
There's a path that spans about a half-mile distance which you can walk on from the parking lot in either direction. The parking lot closest to the lighthouse is about the midway point, and either direction provides an awesome view of the lighthouse which is also right in front of you once you park. If you are facing the lighthouse from the parking lot and turn left, there's a rocky beach a few hundred feet down the path that gives a nice view of the lighthouse and is usually covered in snow during the winter.
The cliffs are fun to walk on even in the wintertime, just watch out for ice and the gusting winds! Portland Head Light is situated on the water (of course), so it can be extra cold here even on warmer days. Once you're done taking in the views, head to the Great Lost Bear at 540 Forest Ave in Portland for an incredible burger and beers!
Download the Outbound mobile app
Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.
Get the appFeatures
Reviews
Always a beautiful sight to see, no matter if it’s your first time or one of your fav spots.
5.0
I spent 30 minutes here at sunset while visiting Portland for work. It is incredibly accessible from downtown and the airport and absolutely breathtaking. I’m not an experienced lighthouse visitor, but I was taken with the Portland Head Lighthouse.
5.0
This is one of the iconic lighthouses in New England and is a must see. It is super easy to get to and Fort William Park also offers a lot to explore while you are there.
5.0
Fort Williams Park is a well-maintained, family-friendly park that provides stunning ocean views and access to the Portland Head Light. Don't just limit yourself to the popular lighthouse path though; other areas of the park provide beach access and photo opportunities of passing sailboats.
5.0
Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth is awesome! With stunning views from multiple different angles, you can always get a new shot depending on the weather and the season. You could also explore the surrounding area which could take up the majority of the afternoon, with lots of historic areas in Fort Williams Park!
5.0
Had this on the map on my trip to New England this past winter and it was everything I expected. Never really been to a lighthouse of this caliber. Many lighthouses are on Maine's rocky coast, and I hit 3 just within Portland's outskirts. You can't take a bad picture here. Also be sure to stop by when operators are working in the peak summer months for a peak inside!
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Explore Spring Point Lighthouse
Hike Peaks Island
Visit the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (Bug Light)
Kayak Casco Bay
Hike around Cape Elizabeth's Dyer Cove
Hike to Jewell Falls
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy