Owls Head State Park
State park · Knox County ·

Owls Head State Park

State park · Knox County ·

Picnic areas, museum, kid-friendly trails, and lighthouse

lighthouse
views
walk
park
parking
beach
gift shop
penobscot bay
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null
Owls Head State Park by null

Information

186 Lighthouse Rd, Owls Head, ME 04854 Get directions

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Information

Static Map

186 Lighthouse Rd, Owls Head, ME 04854 Get directions

maine.gov

Features

•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Jan 20, 2026

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How To Spend A Long Weekend in Maine

"A little black-and-white lighthouse from 1852 still shines here; climb one long flight of stairs to reach it and take in a sweeping view of Penobscot Bay." - Sophie Friedman

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/travel/long-weekend-maine-michelin
Owls Head State Park

Abhijit S.

Google
Great place to visit the owl's head light house. It's a small walk/hike but the views are stunning. Free parking available and enough space there and not very crowded even on a weekend. It gets very windy once you climb the stairs to view the lighthouse so get your jackets for sure.

Grace F.

Google
The lighthouse is so beautiful! And easy to walk there. There was a lot of people coming there during the weekends. Great place to listen to the ocean and see a wonderful view.

Aaron N.

Google
Owls Head Lighthouse was a peaceful and scenic stop. It’s a small but beautiful lighthouse perched on a rocky cliff with great views of the coast. The short walk up was easy, and we enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. There’s a small museum nearby with interesting facts about the lighthouse’s history and how it operated. Even though we’re not from Maine, we found it relaxing and educational, a perfect spot to take in the natural beauty and learn something new. The nearby beach was peaceful with gorgeous views all around. We will certainly be back!

Rose D.

Google
The park is small, but very beautiful, with breathtaking views. It has a small Owl's Head lighthouse, and a rocky beach with picnic area.

Lee H.

Google
Be a witness! See for yourself: the chew of time, the give and take of the earth and the sea, the ways and means of people who come to play, and be blessed, and who build their light up on the ledge to blink, and look back, and be seen.

Cash

Google
Simply Amazing 💙💙💙 Its a ways up north of Portland Maine & local road. But worth it. Its simply breathtaking 💙

Andy B

Google
I went there to see the lighthouse. Not a tough walk from the parking area. Great views. If I’d had more time I would have spent longer there and tried the water.

Jeff S.

Google
Beautiful area and beautiful views! Put it on your list of stops. You will enjoy as did we.
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John D.

Yelp
Owls Well That Ends Well State Park that includes a lighthouse, visitor center, and several beaches along the Penobscot Bay. The Good: *Free to visit *The Owls Head Lighthouse is the main draw here and for good reason as it's been in operation since 1825 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. *Gift shop *Picnic tables *Two beaches that are evidently swimmable *Large dirt lot that don't seem too busy *Easy drive over from nearby touristy Rockland The Meh: *If you're not a fan of stairs, then this lighthouse won't be your jam. The Ugly: *If you visit on a foggy day there won't be much of a view. =/ Conclusion: Superb lighthouse at my favorite price.
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Steve S.

Yelp
The park was clean and there was no problem with parking. The views were spectacular and well the trip. There was no fee and the summer crowd was reasonable.
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Frank W.

Yelp
Another vacation in Maine that included a visit to this scenic lighthouse. The walk to lighthouse is very scenic though the older we get the further it seems from the parking lot.
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John E.

Yelp
You can find Owls Head State Park and the Owls Head Light Station at Lighthouse Rd, Owls Head, ME 04854. There's a bit of parking in various areas along the park entry and very limited parking near the light station - it's more of a drop-off area. We visited this lighthouse while also visiting the Olson House and the Langlais Preserve, they're all in a similar area and I would recommend this as a trio of activities to tourists. This smallish round lighthouse has a multi-faceted window surrounding the light and a single door. I don't believe it's of a size that would allow it to be toured from the inside - on the day we visited the door was locked but the gift shop in the keeper's house was open as was the small museum that features various fixtures used in lighthouses along the Maine coast. From the keeper's house, there's an extended ramp that makes it most of the way to the promontory where the lighthouse sits, ultimately changing to stairs. From the historic photos this used to be a covered route which seemed to be common to many of Maine's lighthouses, presumably to provide some shelter during inclement weather. It's not strenuous but does limit access to those with limited mobility. Our visit was rather short with most of our time spent at the lighthouse, the keeper's house or along the small rocky beach to one side. The views are fantastic and it's nice to view one of the more obscure, local lighthouses. In all a great visit.
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Brandy G.

Yelp
My sister and I knew we had to plan a visit to Owls Head Lighthouse after a visit to the nearby Maritime Pets Museum in Rockland told the story of a loyal lighthouse dog by the name of Spot who is buried on the land he loved. There is plenty of free parking at the park and entry is free. Be advised, there is a short walk from the parking lot (with a gradual incline). You'll be privy to stunning scenic views of the waves crashing against the rocky shoreline below - much like I imagine the light keeper's of old enjoyed as well. Today, the US Coast Guard operates the Owls Head Lighthouse. We made it there early enough in the afternoon still that we were able to pop into the small museum and gift shop. You're able to take a short (and very easy on the knees) flight of stairs leading directly up to the lighthouse to get an up close look at the lighthouse that's been guiding boats to safety for more than a century. If you're in the area, make sure to plan a visit to this picturesque sight and pay your respects to Spot the Lighthouse Dog!
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Karina L.

Yelp
A Short walk to the lighthouse! Beautiful views It's pet friendly and easy trek for all ages!
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James S.

Yelp
Great park! Like most, I visited the light house. Parking is available about 500 feet from the lighthouse. The views are great from the parking lot up to the light. The volunteer run gift shop was open while I was there and the guy behind the counter was very nice. I spent probably 45 minutes here including the walk to and from the car. You could easily spend a half day or so here. Lastly, in the summer be sure to apply bug spray. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I was getting bit but once I sprayed, it was all good.
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Amber O.

Yelp
We live down the road from Owls Head and we love it. It doesn't matter if it's snowing or hot out, we go every week. For Father's Day we took out little grill and the kids walked around looking for beach treasure. We do enjoy the lighthouse but if you take the left trail instead of going up to the lighthouse you get to walk the trail through beautiful trees and end up at this fantastic beach with benches and bbqs. Since the storms in 2023 it can be difficult to get down to the water if you're in a wheelchair.
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Michael G.

Yelp
We didn't realize that there's a line that starts before opening at Primo Restaurant (see my review!) so to kill some time we drove to Owls Head State Park because we wanted to get a look at the water and lighthouse. To our unexpected surprise (?), what we originally thought was smoke, was actually a dense fog that rolled in. We felt the droplets attacking us as we walked the short dirt driveway path to the lighthouse. There was at least one cutout for viewing the water, and it was just blocked by the fog. We kept on marching and made it to the lighthouse, but the fog was not cooperating with us today. The electronic foghorn was on constant replay this night. If we had more time to explore this park, we might have taken the left side of the path instead of the right which had a sign for swimming. So for this short visit, only three stars for what we got to see. If we come back ever again, I'm certain with more time here I'd increase the stars. Free! But they do ask for a small donation for the upkeep of the lighthouse.
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Kelly G.

Yelp
Plenty of free parking , small gift shop & museum, public restrooms and a picturesque lighthouse . If you have the lighthouse passport the gift shop has a stamp for their Owl's Head lighthouse as well as the Breakwater lighthouse . There is a short walk to the lighthouse from the parking lot and there are some steps to reach the lighthouse so keep in mind if you are mobility challenged .
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Marshall G.

Yelp
This was a great way to spend some time. There is also a small shop that helps support the light house. Well Tended!
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Bruce K.

Yelp
Located to the south from Rockland on the Owls Head peninsula this active lighthouse is still an aid to navigation. Established in 1825 and the current tower was rebuilt in 1852. It is a 30 foot tall cylindrical brick with a light that is 100 feet above mean sea level. The park is at the end of a short dirt road and there was sufficient parking on this off-season afternoon. While the lighthouse is not currently open it is decently accessible with a ramp that at least gets mobility challenged folks half-way to the top. Owls Head was one of my favorites and is definitely worth the trip. There is a fantastic view from the top of the tower and on this sunny clear day, you could see for miles. [Review 14888 overall, 390 of 2021, number 70 in Maine.]
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Marie S.

Yelp
We stopped here on our way to Bar Harbor on Wednesday... this wasn't even on the list of lighthouses that the hotel staff had recommended. And now, I can see why. You don't want everyone to find out about this place ;) But, a quick facebook search did the trick. This place is free (free parking too) and can walk right up to the lighthouse (much better option than Portland Head in my opinion). You can take a quick half mile walk through the woods and there the lighthouse opens up in front of you. The views are amazing and surrounded by apple trees. The gift shop was closed, as well as the climb inside the lighthouse. Definitely worth the trip. There are other trails, swimming, facilities, and little farm stops in the area. 2021 #80
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Jonathan J.

Yelp
We have visited here a couple of times, but this was the first time in several years. The lighthouse is a little bit of hike which is nice for exercise after a drive. The scenery is just gorgeous and they have a museum as well and a gift shop. This is definitely a place you want to visit if your into lighthouses.
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Mallory D.

Yelp
Excellent views where the lighthouse is and during the short walk from the parking lot. We went on a colder spring day and had the park to our selfs
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Simon W.

Yelp
Beautiful park with lighthouse. Grabbed some lunch from a nearby lobster shack and headed towards the park. There is no entrance fee to the park and a fair amount of parking was available. There were a few tables to sit and eat near the entrance. Scenery for lunch was beautiful and quiet with a few small boats moving by in the background view. The park included two walking paths, one to a lighthouse and the other to a small waterside area. The lighthouse was not open was not open for visitors when I went and the platform was small but nonetheless there is understated beauty in these lighthouses. The waterside area included one grill and a grassy area with one Picnic table for one small family. The water front was rocky. This is a good activity for a young family as there is some walking but not too much that you'll end up carrying your kids for too long.
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Tricia B.

Yelp
I was able to visit Owls Head as part of a cruise ship excursion, so unfortunately our time there was regrettably short. It was a short walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse, a dirt road with a fair amount of short uphill stretches. There is a gift shop on the site, complete with a book of haunted Maine lighthouses (with a chapter on Owls Head, of course). Sadly, nothing paranormal was observed while I was there.
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Steff D.

Yelp
Some of my favorite adventure days come at the end of October or beginning of November when people aren't thinking about being outdoors anymore. Breathtaking places end up becoming entirely yours to enjoy sans distraction or interruption of any kind... such was my experience at Owl's Head and it was wonderful. The "park" itself is small (I read somewhere it's one of Maine's smallest). After parking your car - there's some green space nearby with picnic tables overlooking the mighty Atlantic if you want a snack or sit before exploring - there's a bit of a walk to the lighthouse itself, but the very easy trail is mostly level. Anyway, who doesn't want to meander through a pine forest abutting the rocky coast of Maine en route to a lighthouse? Historically speaking, this is the stuff author's escape their lives to experience (to then be inspired by). You'll know you're at the lighthouse when you see the extremely large U.S. Department of Homeland Security sign (it looks out of place among nature) - keep walking to the right and you'll find yourself at the charming, picturesque lighthouse: a thirty foot white brick structure that overlooks Rockland Harbor in Penobscot Bay. Walk up the many steps to the lighthouse, turn around, and take in those sweeping, magnificent ocean views. This is worth it. It's peaceful and calming. So take the drive: there's no park fee here and it's open every day. Come be invigorated by a sunset in winter or sunrise in summer. This is Maine at it's very finest.
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Luisa B.

Yelp
Gorgeous walk to the lighthouse. We got to go into the lighthouse after 1 pm. It's beautifully maintained and the views are breathtaking. The short walk to the beach is also well worth it. Takes about half 2-3 hours. You can even pack a lunch as they have picnic tables by the beach.
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Christine B.

Yelp
Small but lovely park with an easy walk to the lighthouse and a beach for swimming and picnics. Very rocky so not good for small kids.

Erin M.

Yelp
Very quintessential Maine. Cute lighthouse. We were unable to go inside but was lovely to look at. A short walk from the parking lot that was fairly flat. There is a beach close by but its rocky - beautiful nonetheless. Would recommend stopping by.
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Sarah M.

Yelp
This wasn't exactly that exciting. The lighthouse was eh. I was hoping this would be a lot more exciting and stunning but it was mediocre at best drove all the way there for 5 minutes and left.
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Bethany E.

Yelp
Just a short walk gets you to a beautiful setting only seen in dreams. I can't stress it enough how lovely this area is. You stroll about 10 minutes from the parking lot along the path leading to the lighthouse. It's a very peaceful area giving you a serene nature setting. And there it is... a picturesque lighthouse overlooking the waters. A long flight of stairs lead you up to the birds eye view. Unfortunately you cannot go inside but I would recommend at least climbing the stairs. I was lucky enough to arrive on a beautiful evening in September just before the sunset. The view is sensational. Owls Head Lighthouse is simply a true treasure of Maine!
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Jess R.

Yelp
Nice little spot with great views. You can get down to a rocky beach or up to the light house. Very easy hike to light house
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Allen C.

Yelp
You'll be surprised by how small this lighthouse is compared to other lighthouses in Maine. But despite its size it's worthwhile to visit. I liked that this lighthouse isn't directly next to its parking lot. You have to walk a short distance to get to it. Don't worry, it's a very easy walk down a path along the cliff through the trees, and you'll see the light station operated by the coast guard. From there you can see the lighthouse up the hill. There are some stairs at the end of the trail if you want to walk up directly to the lighthouse which gives you some great views of the surrounding ocean.
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Andrea S.

Yelp
My first lighthouse to visit in Maine. Parking and picknick area well kept. A short walk on the coastal path takes you to the lighthouse with splendid views of this part of the Atlantic.
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Tom L.

Yelp
One of my favorite lighthouses to date. I love the fact that you can walk right up to this landmark and have some spectacular views to and from the path up to it. Just breathtaking on a nice, calm day. There are a few spots to walk down to the water too and throw some small stones if that is your thing. Worth mentioning, the hours for entrance shows it closing up at 4pm, but we were there just at this time, and had no issues getting in and up close, as did others who arrived after us, so don't always trust the hours. Go for it. You won't regret adding this gem to your list.
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Abby D.

Yelp
Overall cool, beach side is nasty and stinky but the trails are good and lighthouse and views are cool. Worth the trip.
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Melissa B.

Yelp
One of the most gorgeous state parks in Maine, you can enjoy a short hike to a scenic lighthouse with magnificent views, then stroll down to the rocky shoreline to look for wildlife amongst the rocks and seaweed. Be mindful of whether you have sunscreen or lotion on your hands though, that's not good for the critters. We love this park & visit it every time we're in the area.
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Scott H.

Yelp
What a beautiful state park! We came for the lighthouse but the views walking down the path to the house were spectacular. The lighthouse wasn't actually open this day, probably because it's run by the coast guard and we are in the middle of a ridiculous government shut down, but we still walked around it and took plenty of pics. This is a nice quiet park, we were there on a Saturday afternoon and there were only two other couples there. We enjoyed watching the boats sail by and the great views of the harbor and ocean. This is definitely worth the time to find and explore the park. I hope to return.
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Jenifer S.

Yelp
this is worth a visit (and free!) just to see what all the fuss about lighthouses is...not a long walk from the parking lot but the views are spectacular all around. It was misty/foggy the day we visited and neither the tower nor keepers' house was open to the public.
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Jessie C.

Yelp
The views are great walking up to and around the light house but YOU CAN'T GO IN! Boo. If i make it all the way out there - i wanna go in! The views are lovely and the especially when there is no one else around. We also read up a bit that it was haunted but you can't go in that house either. Disappointed.
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Kendra T.

Yelp
Such a gorgeous place. You can walk right up to the lighthouse and an amazing view. This lighthouse is little, but beautiful. Definitely worth the trip!
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Jeff C.

Yelp
A great look into the past. The keepers house is open on most days now so you can visit the gift shop and learn about the history of the light. The light tower is also opened occasionally so you can climb the stairs inside the tower and see the beautiful lens. It is a forth order Fresnel lens put in service in 1856, for all you lighthouse buffs out there. Beware of the fog horn on a foggy day! The parking lot offers plenty of space but leaves you with a few hundred yard walk on a gravel road to get to the light. There is a grassy park area next to the parking lot - a great place to picnic.

Jeff K.

Yelp
The park is a wonderful spot for a picnic, with tables in a wooded area overlooking the boats and water. The lighthouse is not one of the more imposing ones in Maine, but, unlike many others, one is able to go inside it. As with all lighthouses, this one is overseen by the Coast Guard. People are let inside in small groups, so you may have a short wait. There are a bunch of steps to climb, and some steps up a ladder when you are inside. Anyone whose ability to walk is restricted should take into account that the lighthouse becomes visible only after a walk of about 2/10 of a mile from the parking lot. My friend, who cannot walk very far, was not able to see the lighthouse. There is a road leading to it and the adjacent gift shop, but it is for the Coast Guard's use only, because it is not wide enough for vehicles to pass in both directions. The gift shop manager said that they are trying to figure out a way for disabled people and others who cannot manage the walk to get closer to the lighthouse.
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Kelly H.

Yelp
I loved Birch Beach!!! So relaxing and fun to explore, wow what a treat!
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Elie L.

Yelp
Beautiful views, a nice swimming area, good place to relax and have a picnic. If you're lucky there are volunteers present that can let you into the lighthouse to check out the views from the top.
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Lindsay S.

Yelp
There isn't much going on here, but we took some fantastic pictures on both the hike to the lighthouse and hike to the beach.
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Jen C.

Yelp
This beautiful lighthouse is located in Owl's Head Maine. It offers gorgeous ocean views and is great for taking amazing pictures if you make the climb to the top of the lighthouse. Whether you are a lighthouse enthusiast or not this is a great stop along your journey if you are traveling along the coast of Maine. This is a Guru Approved site. Visit us at www.thereviewguru.com to read more reviews or to find out how your business can become "Guru Approved"