Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest lighthouse, standing on the cliffs of Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Entry to the park is free, parking is paid at meters, and the tower is closed to the public except on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Cape Elizabeth’s spectacular park is also home to walking paths, picnic areas, a small beach and one of New England’s most photographed views.
Portland Head Light Quick Facts
- Address: 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
- Park hours: sunrise to sunset, year-round
- Entry: free (donations welcome)
- Parking: pay and display at meters in the park
- Museum: Memorial Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
- Tower: closed to the public except on Maine Open Lighthouse Day
- Dogs: allowed on a leash, except in the off-leash area
- Phone: (207) 799-2661, staffed mid-May through mid-October
Parking at Fort Williams Park
Parking is the one cost of visiting. These are the rates posted on the official Portland Head Light site:
- $6 for the 2-hour minimum
- $2 for each hour after that
- $25 for an annual season pass
- A free overflow lot, a longer walk from the lighthouse
The paid lots are Picnic Shelter, Parade Ground, Ship Cove and Central Parking. Meters take credit or debit cards only. The official page does not say which dates fees are enforced, so check the signs at the lot. The lots near the lighthouse fill up by late morning in summer. Arriving early solves most of the problem.
The Museum and the Tower
The Museum at Portland Head Light and its gift shop are open Memorial Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for ages 6 to 18, and free for children under 6. Once the season ends in mid-October, the museum is closed until the next Memorial Day, but the grounds stay open.
The lighthouse tower is not open to visitors, except one day a year on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. You can see it from many spots in the park, and most people never miss the tower.
Best Spots to Photograph the Light
- The cliff path: the classic view, looking at the tower with the keeper’s house beside it.
- Sunrise: the park opens at sunrise, and the light on the tower is soft and the crowds are small.
- Late afternoon: warm light on the stone, with fewer visitors than midday.
- Fog or after a storm: dramatic waves and mood, but stay off the wet rocks. Waves here can be dangerous.
- Ship Cove side: a view back toward the light from the other direction.
A Short History
Construction of Portland Head Light was authorized by George Washington’s administration in 1790, and the light was first lit in January 1791. It is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. It was automated in 1989, and the former keeper’s house is now the museum. The surrounding Fort Williams was an active military post for decades before it became a town park.
More to Do at Fort Williams Park
- Walk the paths along the cliffs for views of the ocean and Casco Bay.
- Visit the small beach at Ship Cove.
- See the ruins of the Goddard Mansion.
- Bring a picnic, since the park has picnic areas and open lawns.
- Let kids visit the children’s garden.
- Drive to nearby Spring Point Ledge Light in South Portland and walk out along the breakwater.
Getting to Portland Head Light
Fort Williams Park is in Cape Elizabeth, about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Portland. If you are thinking about moving here, see our Cape Elizabeth relocation guide. Approximate drives to other lighthouses: Two Lights about 10 minutes, Nubble Light about 50 minutes, and Pemaquid Point about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Nearby Lighthouses and Stops
Continue your lighthouse trip at Two Lights State Park and the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, then head south to Nubble Lighthouse or north to our Pemaquid Point guide. See all of them in the best lighthouses in Maine, or start your planning with the best places to visit in Maine.
Portland Head Light FAQs
Is it free to visit Portland Head Light?
Entry to Fort Williams Park is free. Parking is paid at the meters, starting at $6 for the 2-hour minimum, and the museum charges a small admission.
Can you go inside Portland Head Light?
The tower is closed to the public except on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. The museum in the keeper’s house is open in season.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning, because parking is easier and the light is soft. Fall and winter bring fewer crowds, though the museum is closed after mid-October.
Are dogs allowed at Fort Williams Park?
Yes. Dogs must be leashed, except in the park’s off-leash area.
How long should I plan to stay?
Plan on one to two hours for the lighthouse, a walk and photos. The 2-hour parking minimum covers that comfortably.
Planning a visit? See our guide to things to do in Portland, Maine.