A Lighthouse at the End of a Forest Trail
Squirrel Point Light sits on the lower Kennebec River in Arrowsic, on a wooded point about ten miles below Bath. It is a sister to Doubling Point Light upriver, both built in 1898 as part of the same coordinated push to mark the busy shipping channel up to the Bath shipyards. What sets Squirrel Point apart for a visitor is that you do not drive up to it. You walk in, about two-thirds of a mile each way, through the quiet woods of Bald Head Preserve to reach the shingled octagonal tower and its keeper’s house at the water’s edge.
This is the Arrowsic light, not Squirrel Island off Boothbay Harbor, which is a separate place entirely. Squirrel Point is a wood-frame light station on the Kennebec; Squirrel Island is a private summer colony in Boothbay. If you are looking for the lighthouse you can hike to, this is the one.
The tower was automated in 1982 and is an active aid to navigation. The station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, includes the tower, the keeper’s house, and outbuildings on a small clearing where the forest meets the river.
Visiting and the Trail
The walk in starts from a small parking area at the end of Bald Head Road. The trail is well marked but uneven and rough in places, with roots and the occasional wet stretch, so it is an easy walk rather than a flat stroll. It runs through the 640-acre Bald Head Preserve, managed in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and the state, before delivering you to the clearing at the point.
At the light, you are welcome to explore the grounds, but the buildings are not open, and climbing the tower or tampering with the equipment is prohibited. There are no restrooms, no fires, and no overnight stays, and you carry out whatever you carry in. Part of the preserve is open to hunting in season, so wear blaze orange if you visit in fall.
Wildlife & bird watching
From the point you look out across the Kennebec, a wide working river, with the wooded far bank and a steady traffic of boats. It is a peaceful payoff for the walk, and on a weekday you may have the place to yourself.
Bald Head Preserve allows hunting in season. If you hike to Squirrel Point in fall, wear blaze orange and keep dogs leashed and visible. The trail is also rough and rooty in spots and slick after rain, so wear real footwear, not sandals.
Squirrel Point pairs naturally with Doubling Point Light, the easy drive-up light a few minutes north on Arrowsic. Do the quick footbridge walk at Doubling Point first, then come here for the longer woods walk. Both share the same access road network off Route 127.
Getting There
From Woolwich on US Route 1, just east of Bath, take Route 127 south toward Reid State Park for about 4.5 miles, then turn right onto Bald Head Road and drive roughly 2.2 miles to the parking area at the trailhead. From Portland the drive is about an hour; from Bangor, a little over two hours.
The two-thirds-mile trail to the light leaves from the parking area. Cell service on the lower peninsula is spotty, so download directions before you go.
When to Visit
Spring
The trail can be muddy through May and the bugs arrive mid-spring, but the river is full and the woods are quiet.
Summer
Dry footing, warm weather, and the most river traffic to watch from the point. The easiest season for the walk.
Fall
Cool, bug-free hiking and foliage along the banks. Wear blaze orange, as the preserve is open to hunting in season.
Winter
The trail stays open but is icy and snow-covered. Traction devices help, and the access roads may not be plowed quickly.
Summer is the easiest time for the walk, with dry trail and warm weather. Fall is beautiful but calls for hunter orange.
Packing List
Squirrel Point Light Hike
- Closed-toe shoes or light hiking boots
- Binoculars for river traffic and birds
- Water and a snack
- Bug spray in spring and early summer
- Blaze orange in hunting season
- A light rain shell
FAQ
How do you get to Squirrel Point Light?
You hike about two-thirds of a mile each way on a marked trail through Bald Head Preserve in Arrowsic. From Route 1 at Woolwich, take Route 127 south about 4.5 miles, turn onto Bald Head Road, and drive 2.2 miles to the trailhead parking.
Is Squirrel Point Light the same as Squirrel Island?
No. Squirrel Point Light is a lighthouse on the Kennebec River in Arrowsic that you hike to. Squirrel Island is a separate private summer community off Boothbay Harbor.
Can you go inside the lighthouse?
No. You can explore the grounds, but the buildings are not open and climbing the tower is prohibited. There are no restrooms or facilities at the site.
How long is the trail to Squirrel Point Light?
Roughly two-thirds of a mile each way, about 1.3 miles round trip. The trail is well marked but uneven and rough in places, so wear real footwear.
Is hunting allowed in Bald Head Preserve?
Yes, part of the preserve is open to hunting in season. Wear blaze orange if you hike to the light in fall and keep dogs leashed and visible.
Pair this hike with the easy Doubling Point Light up the river, or continue down Route 127 to the beaches of Reid State Park.
