The Easternmost Trail in the Country
Quoddy Head State Park sits on the tip of a peninsula in Lubec, Maine, and it claims the easternmost point in the contiguous United States — a piece of granite at the foot of the West Quoddy Head Light. Sunrise here is, technically, the first sunrise in the country every morning.
The Coastal Trail tracks the cliff edge for almost the full length of the peninsula, weaving through stunted spruce, opening to ocean overlooks, and crossing one of Maine’s accessible peatland bogs. The full loop including the inland trails runs about 4 miles with roughly 400 feet of cumulative elevation change.
The Trail
From the visitor center near the lighthouse, the Coastal Trail heads west along the cliff edge. For the first half mile you stay close to the rim with steady views down to the surf 90 feet below. Several short side spurs lead to overlooks at Gulliver’s Hole, the High Ledge, and other named points.
Roughly halfway out, the Bog Trail branches inland through a raised peatland — one of the few accessible bogs in Maine — with a boardwalk over carnivorous plants and pitcher plants. From the bog, you can return via the Inland Trail back to the parking area, making a full loop of about 4 miles.
If you want a shorter outing, doing just the lighthouse and a short out-and-back on the Coastal Trail to the High Ledge is about 1.5 miles round-trip.
Several of the better cliff-edge views are partly tide-dependent. At low tide you can see the seafloor and tide pools; at high tide the surf hits the base of the cliffs hard and the view is more dramatic. Two lookouts a day, two completely different scenes.
What You Might See
The Bay of Fundy and the Grand Manan Channel are right offshore, which means cetaceans pass through regularly. Whales — humpbacks, fin whales, and minkes — are common in summer and early fall, often visible from the cliff edge. Atlantic puffins and Razorbills nest on offshore islands and are sometimes spotted with binoculars in June and July.
Bald eagles are resident year-round and you will almost always see at least one on a clear day.
The Coastal Trail follows the rim of 90-foot sheer cliffs in many places, with no fences or guardrails. The grass and lichen near the edge can be slippery, especially when wet. Stay back from the edge with children and dogs, and don’t approach in fog when depth perception is compromised.
The Lighthouse
The West Quoddy Head Light is the candy-striped red-and-white lighthouse at the trailhead. The current tower was built in 1858, replacing an earlier 1808 structure that was the original light commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson. The lighthouse is automated but the keeper’s house functions as a visitor center and small museum from mid-May through mid-October.
The light is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. Sunrise here is genuinely the first sunrise in the contiguous US.
Stay overnight in Lubec to do the sunrise. Check the local sunrise time the night before — at midsummer it’s about 4:45 AM. The parking lot at the lighthouse opens at 9 AM with the visitor center, but the trails and parking pull-off at the gate are accessible 24/7. Several Lubec inns and B&Bs serve early breakfast for sunrise hikers.
When to Go
Spring
Trails open year-round but cold and often foggy through May. Bog plants begin blooming late May.
Summer
Whales, puffins, and warm enough for shorts on calm days. Fog still common — check the forecast for a clear day if you want long views.
Fall
Spectacular foliage on the inland trails through the bog. Cool, clear, fewer crowds. Whales still feeding through October.
Winter
Park gate may close in deep winter; pull-off lots near the entrance stay accessible. Dramatic ice formations on the cliffs. Sunrise is late (around 6:45 AM).
Getting There
This is a serious drive. From Portland, plan on 5+ hours via Route 1 north through Bangor, Ellsworth, and Machias to Lubec. From Bangor, expect about 2 hours 45 minutes via Route 1A and Route 1.
Lubec is the easternmost town in the contiguous US and worth a stop on its own — small fishing village atmosphere, one or two restaurants, and the Roosevelt Campobello International Park just across the FDR Memorial Bridge into Canada (passport required).
The state park is at the end of South Lubec Road off Route 189, about 4 miles south of downtown Lubec.
FAQ
Is Quoddy Head really the easternmost point in the US?
It is the easternmost point in the contiguous (lower 48) US. The technical easternmost point in all of US territory is Sail Rock, just offshore. The trail and lighthouse mark the closest accessible-by-foot easternmost point on the mainland.
When is the lighthouse open?
The keeper's house and visitor center open mid-May through mid-October, typically 9 AM to 5 PM. The lighthouse tower itself is automated and not open to climb. The grounds and trails are accessible year-round.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a leash. The trails are dog-friendly, but use caution near the cliff edges.
Will I see whales?
Likely if you visit June through October on a clear day, especially from the High Ledge or other open cliff overlooks. Bring binoculars. Humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, and porpoises all pass through the channel.
Is the bog trail boardwalked?
Yes. The Bog Trail has a boardwalk over the sensitive peatland with interpretive signs. Stay on the boardwalk — the bog itself is fragile and protected.
