Bass Harbor Lighthouse Guide
Probably the most photographed lighthouse in Acadia National Park, the Bass Harbor Lighthouse really couldn't be more picturesque, built on a cliff overlooking the ocean where the sun almost always perfect sets on the ocean's horizon beneath it. Lucky for you, it's pretty easy to get to this view, even if the lighthouse isn't in the most popular area of the park.
When to Visit
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Are you trying to avoid crowds? Well, if you're visiting in Acadia's busy summer and early fall months, Bass Harbor Light might not be the place to be, especially at sunset. That being said, it's a great view, and a short hike, so it just might be worth it. If you are showing up for that famous sunset shot, get there early: the parking lot isn't huge, and once it fills, a ranger will generally close Lighthouse Road off from further traffic.
How to Get There
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Bass Harbor Lighthouse is on Mount Desert Island, within Acadia National Park. Find it at the southwestern tip of the island, in the Bass Harbor region. Take route 102A until it abruptly turns left at Bass Harbor Campground--but stay straight, taking you onto the slightly narrow Lighthouse Road. Take this until it ends at the parking lot, and find the mail trail onto the rocks and the famous view to the right of the parking lot bathrooms.
Bass Harbor Lighthouse
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Time: 30 minutes.
Distance: .4 miles.
Once you've snagged a spot at the lighthouse, you have two options: a very short trail near the beginning of the parking lot leads you down just underneath the lighthouse, giving you a view of the ocean as well as some additional information on its history. For the famous viewpoint though, start the trail through the woods, near the back of the parking lot, to the right of the public bathrooms.
The close view of the lighthouse. / The trail through the woods to the famous view.
The trail isn't long at all, and eventually you'll reach a clearing with a wooden staircase to your right--take it, as it will lead you down on to the pink, granite cliffs and the main viewpoint.
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The stairs end, as does the trail: it's kind of a free for all from here. Carefully maneuver your way down onto the rock; depending on the current tide, you may have lots of room to move about, or not much at all. The best photographs tend to come at low tide, when more of the cliff face is exposed. If it is low tide, chances are there will be a handful of tide pools--keep your eyes open for any sea life in them.
The lighthouse between tides.
The closer to the water you get, the better your photographs will turn out; and that's about it! Sunset will provide some of the best pictures, especially if you have a clear horizon with some clouds over the top of it--sun generally sets right over the ocean here, with some variation depending on the time of year.
The lighthouse at sunset.
The Bass Harbor Lighthouse is a short, but great introductory hike at Acadia National Park, but there's plenty more to do and see here. If you've got the time, the Ship Harbor Trail is just down the road from the lighthouse, and it's another easy coastal hike with some great views, and a chance to spot some aquatic life in its many tide pools.
Sea star found along the Ship Harbor Trail.