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Home » Travel » New England » Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

July 1, 2019

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

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Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Downeast Maine offers visitors a chance to go inside and climb to the top! via @jugglingactmama

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Downeast Maine offers visitors a chance to go inside and climb to the top!

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

I grew up in Maine, however I have never been to the top of a lighthouse until now! When I was planning our Downeast Maine vacation, I specifically looked for a lighthouse where we could climb to the top. We were not disappointed!

Table of contents

  1. What does Pemaquid mean?
    1. Pemaquid Lighthouse Park
      1. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Quarter
        1. Maine Lighthouses
          1. What lighthouses are in Maine?
            1. Maine Open Lighthouse Day
            2. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
              1. Pemaquid Lighthouse Facts
                1. Are dogs allowed at Pemaquid Lighthouse?
                  1. Pemaquid Beach
                  2. Visiting Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
                    1. More Must-See Spots in DownEast Maine

                    What does Pemaquid mean?

                    Pemaquid Lighthouse is located on Pemaquid Point. The native Abenaki called it “pemaquid” which means “situated far out.”

                    Pemaquid Lighthouse Park

                    We arrived and the shoreline was shrouded in thick fog. Within minutes, the sun burst through,  burning off the fog ans revealing thr gorgeous view of the bay and Mohegan Island. 

                    You can spend an entire afternoon exploring Pemaquid Lighthouse Park. There is a $3 per person admission, but no other fees to enjoy everything there.

                    • Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the stunning views from the picnic areas. (There is a restaurant right next to the park, but since it was very busy we did not stop there.)
                    • Check out the Pemaquid Art Gallery
                    • Visit the Learning Center
                    • Climb the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

                    The best part, in my opinion is that visitors can climb the spiral staircase up to the top! From 38-feet up, there are amazing views of Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay.

                    A view of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay in Bristol Maine.

                    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Quarter

                    You may recognize Pemaquid Point Lighthouse from the Maine state quarter that was minted in 2003 which featured the beautiful lighthouse. It is the first lighthouse to ever be pictured on a quarter!

                    Side Note: After that, the Acadia National Park quarter was minted in 2012, featuring Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Mount Desert Island.

                    A view of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay in Bristol Maine. The lighthouse was featured on Maine state quarter minted in 2003.
                    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is depicted on the Maine state quarter minted in 2003.

                    Maine Lighthouses

                    How many lighthouses are in Maine?

                    There are 65 lighthouses still standing in Maine. The rocky coastline is over 5000 miles long with many inlets and islands. In fact, when it comes to having the most coastline in the US, Maine is 4th behind Alaska, Florida and Louisiana.

                    What is Maine’s oldest lighthouse?

                    The Portland Headlight located in Cape Elizabeth was completed in 1791, therefore making it the oldest lighthouse in the state. While it’s hard to say for sure, it is probably also the most photographed lighthouse in the United States. However, Boston Light, built in 1716, is the oldest lighthouse in the US.

                    Do they still have lighthouse keepers?

                    This very much depends on the location. Many lighthouses in Maine are operated by the US Coast Guard.

                    What lighthouses are in Maine?

                    There are so many picturesque lighthouses in the state of Maine, that it’s hard to list them all! Some of the most well-known lighthouses are:

                    • Bass Harbor Head Light in Acadia National Park
                    • Cape Neddick “The Nubble Light” in York Beach
                    • Portland Headlight in Cape Elizabeth
                    • Rockland Breakwater Light at Jameson Point in Rockland Harbor
                    • West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec, the furthest East point in the US
                    A view of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse as seen from the rocks.
                    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Bristol, Maine

                    Maine Open Lighthouse Day

                    The US Coast Guard in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and American Lighthouse Foundation sponsors Maine Open Lighthouse Day. It will be September 14, 2019.

                    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is part of this event, along with about two dozen others. Some the lighthouses included are not normally open to the public, such as Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

                    Check the website above for more information.

                    Ang on staircase in Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
                    Climbing the staircase Lighthouse is challenging!

                    The climb to the top of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is not for the faint of heart! Only 5 people can go up at a time. The views are stunning!!

                    Olivia was not excited about the stairs, which are basically as steep as a ladder. Truth be told, I wasn’t crazy about them either.

                    Olivia at Lighthouse on rocks
                    Both kids enjoyed playing on the rocks!

                    Both kids loved climbing on the rocks. Ethan is especially interested in geology so he was fascinated by the rock formations that make up the coastline here. 

                    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

                    The Bristol Parks and Recreation Department owns and operates the Pemaquid Point Park and all the buildings there including Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. The keeper’s house is now home to the Fishermen’s Museum at Pemaquid showcasing local maritime history.

                    A view of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay in Bristol Maine.

                    Its an increible spot for sketching or painting also and we saw several artists doing just that.

                    Pemaquid Lighthouse Facts

                    The lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Here are some more interesting facts from the American Lighthouse Foundation:

                    • Commissioned by: President John Quincy Adams
                    • Built: 1827 (present tower)
                    • First Lit: 1857
                    • Automated: 1934
                    • Construction: rubble stone and concrete
                    • Height: 38 feet
                    • Range: 14 nautical miles

                    Are dogs allowed at Pemaquid Lighthouse?

                    Yes, dogs are allowed at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park as long as they are kept on a leash. Owners are asked to clean up after their pets, of course.

                    However, please note that dogs are not allowed on Pemaquid beach.

                    Pemaquid Beach

                    Pemaquid Beach is not part of the Pemaquid Lighthouse Park. It generally has a shorter season than the park, opening at the beginning in early June, and closing in September.

                    If you decide to spend sometime at the beach, you may want to bring along a few items. Check out my beach and boat tote full of summer essentials!

                    There is a $4 fee per person for adults and children over 12 unless you are a resident of Bristol. The beach includes bathrooms and changing rooms, shower stand, picnic tables and snack shack.

                    A view of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse on Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay in Bristol Maine as seen from the air.
                    I just love this dramatic aerial view of Pemaquid Point and the lighthouse.

                    Visiting Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

                    • Address: 3115 Bristol Road New Harbor, ME
                    • Cost: $3/per person to enter the park
                    • Open: Mid-May to Mid-October
                    • Hours: 10am to 5pm
                    • Website: Pemaquid Point
                    • Phone: 207-677-2492

                    Please note: We strongly recommend that you double check the website or call for the more up-to-date information for this site.

                    Selfie of Ang, Matt and Ethan at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
                    We loved visiting Pemaquid Point Lighthouse!

                    We loved our visit to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse! Our only regret is wishing we had planned ahead with a picnic lunch. It’s an absolutely breathtaking spot to just sit and enjoy the sea breezes!

                    More Must-See Spots in DownEast Maine

                    • Acadia National Park Maine (coming soon)
                    • Where to See Puffins in Maine
                    • West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
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                    Filed Under: Family Travel, New England, Travel

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                    Comments

                    1. Gilles Gareau says

                      July 30, 2019 at 8:45 am

                      It is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. It will be on my next trip to go there.

                      Reply

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