The Easternmost Light in America
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse stands at the easternmost point of the contiguous United States, on a rocky headland in Lubec, Maine. Its red and white horizontal stripes make it one of the most distinctive lighthouses in the country. The original tower was built in 1808, making it one of the first lighthouses in this part of Maine. The current striped tower dates to 1858 and rises 49 feet above the headland.
The location is genuinely remote. Lubec is a small fishing town at the far northeastern tip of Maine, closer to the Canadian province of New Brunswick than to any major American city. Getting here requires commitment. But the combination of the striking lighthouse, the rugged coastal scenery, and the knowledge that you are standing at the edge of the country makes it worth the drive.
The lighthouse sits within Quoddy Head State Park, which adds roughly 5 miles of hiking trails along dramatic cliffs and through coastal bog habitat. This is not just a lighthouse stop. It is a destination.
What to See
The lighthouse itself is impossible to miss with its eight bold red and white stripes. The tower is not open to regular climbing, but the keeper’s house has been converted into a visitor center and museum run by the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association. Displays cover the history of the lighthouse, the Coast Guard, and the Lubec area. A gift shop sells books, prints, and lighthouse-themed items.
The state park trails are excellent. The Coastal Trail runs about 2 miles along the cliff tops, offering views of Grand Manan Island across the Bay of Fundy and the dramatic 150-foot cliffs below. The Bog Trail is a short boardwalk loop through a subarctic peat bog filled with pitcher plants, sundews, and wild orchids in summer.
The tides in this part of Maine are among the largest on the East Coast, with ranges of 20 feet or more. The Bay of Fundy influence means the shoreline transforms dramatically between high and low tide.
When to Go
Summer
Fall
Spring
Winter
Practical Notes
Quoddy Head State Park charges a day-use fee: $4 per adult for Maine residents, $6 for non-residents. Children under 12 are free. The park is open May 15 to October 15 from 9am to sunset. The visitor center in the keeper’s house is open Memorial Day to mid-October, Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm. Closed Mondays.
Parking is in a lot near the lighthouse, with overflow along the access road. Portable restrooms are available near the trailheads. There is no food service in the park. Lubec has a handful of restaurants and a grocery store.
Cell service is spotty to nonexistent at the point. Download any trail maps or directions before you arrive.
Getting There
From Bangor, take Route 1A east to Ellsworth, then Route 1 north through Machias to Whiting, and Route 189 east to Lubec. From Lubec center, follow South Lubec Road to the park entrance. The total drive from Bangor is about 3 hours. From Portland, it is roughly 5.5 hours.
Lubec is also connected to Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada by the FDR International Bridge. Roosevelt Campobello International Park on the island is a natural side trip if you have a passport.
