Our family visited Portland Head Light (in Fort William Park) to take photos around 6pm in July 2026. It's about a 10 minute drive from South Portland and well worth the trip! First, it is the oldest lighthouse in Maine (which was completed in 1791 and authorized by George Washington). Second, it's easily accessible - just a short walk from the parking lot. Third, you have the option to buy lobster rolls if it's lunch or dinner time or bring your own picnic to spread out on the spacious grounds. Parking is only $3 per hour. Since the WiFi connection for Verizon was weak, I paid for a printed paper ticket (minimum of $6 for 2 hours). Would strongly recommend coming here within 2 hours of sunset for the best lighting of photos. Also, be sure to spend some time walking along the coast for stunning views of the rocks below. read more

Portland Head Light - View from the cliff. - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

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Locals said this is the most photographed and most painted lighthouse in the world! I think it's also the most beautiful! It's fairly easy to get to, and parking is easy as well. There are easy trails all around the lighthouse so you can walk to different directions and take photos from different angles. On a clear day it is beautiful beyond words. Though not that easy to get to, Portland is a beautiful town, worth a serious visit. This lighthouse just makes it so much more spectacular!! read more

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Enjoyed a nice scenic walk in Fort Williams Park where you can see the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse. First off, I'd recommend looking at the website for the park's basic information before visiting. The park has several parking lots throughout which was nice. This huge park offers several trails to walk on, lots of grass areas to enjoy a picnic, many beautiful photo opportunities of the water and lighthouse, and a cute gift shop. It also has tours of its museum and of the park itself, which you can buy tickets on their website. Another nice thing they have are several food trucks and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy your food with a stunning view. Overall, this park on Cape Elizabeth, ME is the perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful time with friends, family, and even pets! It is definitely a spot to visit if you're in the area! read more

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Fantastic Fort maintained very well with spectacular views of the coast and the picturesque light house. Great walking trails around the area for different vantage points. Very walkable and so pretty. The gift shop was good too. read more

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Portland Head Light was one of the first lighthouses I had ever seen when living on the east coast back in the early to mid 1980's (yeah, I've been around for awhile). Such a pretty lighthouse, too, so I was very excited to return for a visit some 40+ years later (good gawd, am I THAT much older?) Well, the lighthouse has been beautifully maintained and does not show signs of aging (like I do), and I was thrilled to take my husband (who had never been here) to see this lighthouse. read more

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A must stop while in Portland. You have to pay for parking. Lots of food options. They have a nice walking path with great views. read more

Portland Head Light - Blueberry pie ice cream - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

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Definitely visit this if you are in Portland, especially on a sunny day. As much as the Lighthouse is iconic, the scenery around it is mind blowing. You can also take a walk along the cliff to enjoy the view from multiple directions. It is a good spot for picnic as well, and there are a couple of locations which are close to the water as well. Plenty of parking available, there are multiple parking lots along the property. Definitely recommend it. read more

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Portland Head Light sits inside Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and is one of those landmarks that earns every bit of its reputation. I walked up to a well maintained lighthouse set along the rocky Maine coastline, and the view was genuinely striking from every angle I approached. The grounds were open and spacious enough that even on a busy day it did not feel crowded in a way that took away from the experience. I took the time to explore the trails along the bluffs beyond just the lighthouse itself. The cliffs on one side of the park are dramatic, and the views out over the Atlantic from up there were hard to beat. On a clear day I could also spot another lighthouse sitting out in the water from certain vantage points, which added another layer to what I was looking at. The walk along the coastline rewarded me for lingering rather than just snapping a photo at the main viewpoint and moving on. Timing my visit around sunset was worth planning for. The light hitting the water and the lighthouse facade in the late afternoon made for the best photos of the day, and the atmosphere shifted noticeably as the crowds thinned out toward evening. Fall would be a particularly strong time to visit, with the foliage adding color to the coastal scenery in a way that makes the whole scene feel almost too picturesque to be real. Parking is paid and available in decent supply, so getting in was not the challenge it can be at some other Maine attractions. There are porta potties and picnic benches on the grounds, which made it a comfortable place to spend more than a quick pass through. About 15 minutes outside of downtown Portland, it fits naturally into a day that includes lunch or exploring the city. read more

Portland Head Light - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Amazing experience to see the most photographed lighthouse in the United States! This iconic lighthouse on the Eastern seaboard is still functional and was commissioned by George Washington. Wow! I was able to get some great videos of the entire property as well. Not too busy but beware it's a popular place so as the summer season moves forward plan to be inundated with tourists of all kinds. read more

Portland Head Light - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

What can I say? It's a beautiful lighthouse on rocky cliffs, very picturesque. The lighthouse and the buildings around it are very well kept. It does have tons of fences and it would look better without them but I get that they their for safety. Lots of parking and different angles to get your perfect photo read more

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The Portland Head Lighthouse is loved by all. Visitors hike, picnic, walk, photograph, paint and just enjoy this iconic beacon. It is free to explore the grounds. There is plenty of free parking (I came on a Tuesday in mid August) and there are remnants of war bunkers and artifacts that can be explored. The gift shop is next to the lighthouse. There are restrooms, outhouses and a few food trucks. read more

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A must while visiting the Portland area. Located within Fort Williams Park about 20 minutes south of Downtown Portland. Lots of amazing views of the lighthouse and the Atlantic Ocean throughout the various path/walkways. Both views from the North and South along the coastline are great. The Museum and gift shop are open from Memorial to Columbus Days, 10am - 4pm. The Museum fees are $2 for adults and $1 for children. Children under 6 are free. There are a few large parking lots throughout the park...pay at the meter via credit card or Passport Parking App. There were lots of spaces available during out weekday visit in late August...but it was around 5pm-ish...so the museum and gift shop were already closed. I suspect the parking lots would be more crowded earlier in the day. There are public restrooms as well as a Bite Into Maine Food Truck there at the park. There are no fees (other than parking) to access the park itself. read more

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What a beautiful landmark! As someone who loves lighthouses, I saw many videos about needing to come here, so we did! There are two food trucks parked onsite for food options (expect a decently long line at peak meal times). Admission: free Parking: pay by time Views: priceless read more

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This light house park is so beautiful, with stunning view of the coast line shore and the wonderful tall standing tower right next to the cute tiny house. The park has two parking spots further from the lighthouse. The lot in front of it barely has 3-4 spots. It's about 4-5 minutes walk from those far ones. The lighthouse area is super clean. There's a museum that has a small entry fee. There's a gift shop as well. There are many historical signage around the place, as well as a shipwreck spot in the shore's stones. Both sides of the lighthouse are great spots for taking photos. read more

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A stunning lighthouse ! There was plenty of parking for a fee. The park has beautiful views of the water, cliffs and lighthouse. The grounds are well maintained and the walkway offers breathtaking views and plenty of photo ops ! There is a museum with a small entrance fee. Highly recommend. read more

Portland Head Light - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

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Popular tourist spot at the area. Tons of visitors. You can head up to the tower with entrance fee. We didn't go up. Nice view even just from the cliff. It was windy and cold the day we visited so did not stay too long. There's a souvenir store to browse. Portable potty on site. read more

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This is pretty cool place to visit while in Portland. We had good weather during our visit. Tons of good views and they have a food truck Bite of Maine there, which I highly recommend getting you a darn good lobster roll. read more

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On Mother's Day Sunday, Tony Vanoy Noël Teel Calliope & I visited the Head Lighthouse located in Fort Williams Park in Portland Maine It was free to enjoy the Lighthouse itself is closed to the public. Season doesn't begin until Memorial Day! Because of my handicap plaquard we didn't have to pay fee for parking! We strolled the baby around the park, the cliffs and rock overlooks & the Lighthouse! It was extremely windy & cold! But even still it was a lovely sunny day! Lisa Diane Boyce-Vanoy Dale Lisa Vanoy #newengland25trip read more

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Portland Head Light is one of the most picturesque lighthouses we have ever visited. Stunning from afar and closeup. It is perched on rocky cliff that stretch on as far as you can see with islands and another lighthouse dotting the view over the water. Boats and ships of all kinds sail by constantly in what is a very busy shipping channel. The waves crash against jagged rocks and the rocky beach below (no access to the beaches from the landmark). There is a small gift shop and museum very close to the lighthouse. There are cliff walks in both directions and a park which surrounds the area. This is a place to be enjoyed and not to be missed. read more

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While in Portland for lunch, we stopped in some small shops in the area and the lovely lady at the shop recommended that we check out the lighthouse. She said it was only about 15 minutes from the shop and we decided we would go check it out. The Portland Head Light is one of their most famous light houses according to the locals. It was very cold there but what a sight! We walked round the light house, checked out the cliff sides and walked on the trail. It was a gorgeous day (freezing but beautiful) with the perfect skies for photos of the light house. We were able to read the historic plaques, see the cliffs and the water crashing below us. After visiting the Head Light, we went over to the other portion in Fort WIlliams Park and checked out the old house, military storage areas and I even went down and touched the ice cold Atlantic ocean water that was crashing on the beach. If you are in the area I would highly suggest visiting the Portland Head Light. We were there in the late evening about an hour prior to closing so the coffee truck wasn't open but they do have a coffee & gelato stand right near the Light House. It was an amazing experience and much different than light houses I have seen on the West Coast. read more

Simply gorgeous. Spent a portion of a perfect day here and took what felt like 1,000 photographs. I loved it here

Seaview and atmosphere. They use to be freely access for local but nowadays else where park have to pay to park, other than that there is great view. read more

The Portland Head Light is probably, at least in my humble opinion, the most iconic lighthouse in the United States. It is located in the Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. The Park and Lighthouse are open daily from sun up to sundown. There is also a museum attached to the light tower and even a gift shop. The Park, Head Light, and the Ocean are beautiful and this place should be a place you visit when you come to the area. read more

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Light the Good Fight Lighthouse located at gorgeous Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The Good: *Completed in 1791, it's the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. *On a clear day you can see FOUR other lighthouses (Spring Point Ledge, Ram Island Ledge, Halfway Rock Light, & Cape Elizabeth Light). *Seasonal (May - Oct) Museum $2/admission *Seasonal (May - Oct) gift shop *Leashed dogs ok *Large paved parking lot *Four food vendors located on the premises, including Cousins Maine Lobster. The Meh: *Park is free to enter but parking is not; $2/hr w/ 2-hr minimum ($10/all-day) The Ugly: *Honestly? Not much other than it can get really busy during certain times of the year. Conclusion: Must-see if you're visiting the Portland, ME area. read more

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On our way up to Maine from Boston we made a stop to visit the Portland head light. I always saw lighthouses growing up on 12-month calendars especially on my mom's desk so it was a little surreal to see something like this in person. This place is as beautiful as it looks at photos. It's very calming peaceful, and the lighthouse itself is beautiful. We got really lucky because we didn't have a hard time parking whatsoever, but I could imagine during peak season that parking could be pretty difficult. I would definitely recommend this place if you're heading to Maine as it's a must see tourist destination here. read more

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Wow! What a beautiful & great place. The water views and lighthouse are fabulous. I forgot I was here last year- For some didn't review Oops! What a great Zen place to visit. Lots of places to walk on a trail of grab a bite by the food trucks -lobster roll or gelato trucks nearby. I Even noticed those EV charges close by and plenty of parking. I totally loved it last time we came had a picnic at the picnic tables with a beautiful view just as we walked a little bit took a picture. I saw some tour groups there this visit which we didn't take. Such a nice place to come by for a while. Enjoy read more

Did on go inside the light house no I did not but I got the best pictures here on our Maine coastal adventure. This is why you get up early, lighting was fantastic that day. You can get many different shots of the Portland Head Light House from many different angles. Highly suggest you visit this light house !!! read more

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I've been to hundreds of lighthouses all down the east & west coast and I must say this is one of the top 3 most beautiful! I could sit here watching the waves crash against the rocks all day. The lighthouse is breathtaking from both sides and the surrounding park is nice. The cliff walk is a beautiful walk. I like that there are numerous benches to stop and sit and take in the beauty of the lighthouse. The lighthouse out in the distance is an added bonus! read more

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Stopping to see the Portland Head Light is definitely a must. There are so many opportunities for the perfect picture. You can walk very close to the headlight and stop in for a souvenir at the store. There are also several walking paths to hike around Cape Elizabeth and take in the relaxing view. In addition, there are plenty of picnic tables and grills for a nice meal outside. I also saw a lobster food truck to grab a bite around the park. I'm glad I stopped by to see this well known sight! read more

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Historical Lighthouse and park area about a 30 minute drive from the Portland Maine airport. Plenty of parking with accessible/handicap and some electric vehicle charging spots for visitors. It's free to roam around the grounds and a few dollars to view the museum. They are some docent led tours and a giftshop on-site too. There's also a small alcove where you can walk and wade in shallow depth water on the shore with multiple picnic benches around. There's also a gelato and lobster roll shacks if you want to pick up a quick bite or snack while visiting. Highly recommend a visit for the peaceful vibes and beautiful ocean cliffside view and history of the light house. read more

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This lighthouse is the most photographed one in the state of Maine. I can see why from a distance, but up close, it was really nothing special to me. We visited this lighthouse as part of a tour during a cruise. We also saw another lighthouse in Halifax, which had better-maintained grounds and a shoreline full of unique rocks. The whole place was very touristy, with lots of tourist buses and cars everywhere. Despite that, it was definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. read more

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Nice place to visit in the area. We we driving through Portland and had to take a look at the iconic structure. Fort Williams, was once The Battery at Portland Head / Fort Preble and is now a scenic landmark great for families and picnicking. There's lots of parking, all of which you pay at the machine. Some might be close to the lighthouse, others might require a bit more walking. Bits of the historic fort still stand so it's neat to see that as well. read more

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Portland Head Light is a historic lighthouse that stands in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It is often considered a famous American icon and a classic example of a lighthouse. Located in a headland at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, it was completed in 1791 and is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Whale oil lamps were originally used for illumination. In 1855, following the formation of the Lighthouse Board, a fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed. In 1973, Portland Head Light was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance and architectural beauty. The station has changed little except for rebuilding the whistle house in 1975 due to its having been badly damaged in a storm. The light station became automated in 1989, and the tower, beacon, and foghorn are maintained by the United States Coast Guard, while the former lighthouse keeper's house is a maritime museum within Fort Williams Park. The current lens, installed in 1991, is a DCB-224 aerobeacon. Portland Head Light is widely considered to be the most photographed lighthouse in the world and has been featured in a number of films and TV shows. read more

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This is a really cool park! I wish we were here when it was warmer. The lighthouse itself is very picturesque. There are a bunch of bunkers and parts of buildings from a war that you can explore too, which is cool. There are also a lot of benches and areas to sit, as well as a small sandy beachy area. You could definitely spend a good part of a day here on a nice day. read more

Portland Head Light - Lighthouse - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Great visit when in Portland Maine! Gorgeous lighthouse with fantastic views of the coastline! Definitely a go to when visiting. Wonderful historical location! read more

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This is a great little park. I suggest using the restroom before coming. The porta potties are not super clean. This is also a park that you have to haul your own trash out. They have problems with wild animals coming in. Great views. It is not hard to find people willing to take your picture if you are not good at selfies. If you come here, go up to the gun emplacement on the hill. It is a great place for pictures. read more

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We try to visit the lighthouses when we travel I don't really know why but it's just nice to see in person. This one was really tall & located in a beautiful park with beautiful blue waters. The scenery is gorgeous. If it wasn't freezing out we would've enjoyed a bit more. read more

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I wanted to visit at least one while in Maine, and Portland Head Light is the oldest in Maine. It is located within Fort Williams Park. Parking in the lot cost $5 for two hours. We sat at one of the few shaded picnic benches to enjoy our pastries before making our way to the lighthouse. Be aware that there are no trash cans. Afterward we walked around the lighthouse, but didn't go inside. It was picturesque with ocean views in the background. *National Register of Historic Places read more

Portland Head Light - Parks Near Me - Cape Elizabeth, Maine

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JUST DO IT!! Stop here and pay the $5.00 for parking. Completed in 1791 after it was commissioned by George Washington and still going strong the lighthouse stands about 80 feet tall. My family and I parking in the lot by the Battery Blair (closest parking you'll find to the lighthouse) and checked out the battery area first. The kids had fun climbing around it. We then walked down to the lighthouse to take some closer pics as a family. My oldest son and I walked out onto the rocky cliffs for some better unobstructed photos. The view of the lighthouse with the rocky cliffs, waves crashing in and boats in the distance is just postcard perfect. There were food trucks, porta potties near the parking and a gift shop and small museum at the lighthouse. If you're headed to Maine make this a stop on your trip and if you're from the area don't take for granted that this beauty is so close to you!!! read more

Considered the most photographed lighthouse in Maine! For good reason as the views are amazing and this is one of the tallest and most accessible lighthouses in Maine! Several parking spaces, but you have to pay $5 for 2 hours. Easy 5 min walk to the lighthouse from the parking lot. Also a food truck by the parking lot serving lobster rolls, but at +$38, this was the most expensive lobster roll I had seen in all of Maine! read more

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