Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Head Light

The red light of Bass Harbor Head Light glows as rwilight sets on Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor Maine.

The 32 foot Bass Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1858 at a cost of $5000.00. The light is positioned to warn mariners approaching the eastern entrance to Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island and also the southeast entrance to Blue Hill Bay. The 1 1/2 story keeper's house is attached to the brick lighthouse by a covered walkway.

In my opinion, the Bass Harbor Head Light is one of the most charming of all of Maine's lighthouses. The setting on the quintessential rocky cliff and coastline is dramatic with the lighthouse and keepers cottage nestled in the spruce and pines. Easily accessible by car with adequate parking, you can visit the lighthouse up close and get some fantastic photos and a wonderful path takes you down the rocky cliff to shore so you can view the lighthouse from below as well. We have visited it many times and the sounds of the gulls crying, the waves crashing on the shore and the distant ringing of a bell buoy makes this an extremely romantic. More pictures of Bass Harbor Light are below.

Bass Harbor Head Light seen from above

Photo courtesy of US Coastguard files

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