Lighthouses

Discover the St Clement’s Island Museum where Maryland's founding story comes to life. Explore exhibits that highlight the rich history of the Piscataway People and early settlers. Stand on the historic island where the first English settlers landed in 1634, accessible by water taxi. Experience the beauty of the Potomac River and immerse yourself in the culture that shaped the Chesapeake Bay. Don’t miss the chance to learn and explore this unique site in St. Mary’s County.

Explore the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the first built on the Potomac River. Discover captivating exhibits on local maritime history, WWII naval presence, and the iconic lighthouse itself. Climb to the top for breathtaking views of the Potomac and its rich ecosystem. Immerse yourself in the beauty and heritage of the Chesapeake Bay watershed while uncovering the stories that shaped this remarkable area.

Discover the historic Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark in the Chesapeake Bay. This restored offshore beacon offers engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and stunning views. Travel by boat to explore its maritime history and the vital role of lighthouses in navigation. Don’t miss the chance to experience the Bay’s rich stories and enjoy the beautiful surrounding area!

Since its original establishment in 1715, Boston Light has served as an integral beacon for Boston Harbor.

The Graves are located in the outer northeast corner of the Boston Harbor at approximately 11 miles away from Boston. Rocky outcroppings surround the island. They sit at 15 feet above sea level at high tide, making them a dangerous peril to passing ships.

The Concord Point Lighthouse, located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, sits adjacent to the mouth of the Susquehanna River where it flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Concord Point Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Maryland and now serves as a beacon for tourism and history in the region.

The Narrows Light once stood at the end of the Great Brewster Spit to light the entrance of the Narrows Channel. Designed by Harrison Loring, the light stood 35 feet above water and its wooden hexagonal structure had seven iron stilts, which resembled a large bug. This is why the light is sometimes called ‘Bug Light.’

Elk Neck State Park stands on a peninsula surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and the Elk River to the east. Located in Cecil County, Maryland, the park offers opportunities for swimming, hiking, camping, boating, lighthouse tours and more.

Point Lookout State Park, in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, sits on a peninsula bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. The well-known park offers many recreational opportunities including swimming, fishing, boating, and camping. 11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687 301-872-5688

The Calvert Marine Museum is located at the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, MD and details the maritime and ecological history of Southern Maryland through exhibits, educational programs, boat trips and a guided lighthouse tour of two lighthouses.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for climbing this year from Wednesday, April 27 through early fall. A limited climbing season at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse may be possible this summer but potential dates have not been finalized.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is pleased to announce multiple ways to visit Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke lighthouses this year.

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is over 160 years old and its age along with environmental factors has lead to serious structural concerns with the stairwell, watch room, gallery walk, and lantern room. The lighthouse will not be open to the public for climbing this season.

On December 16, 2020 at 4:45 p.m., Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), in partnership with the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society and Outer Banks Forever, will celebrate the 150th anniversaries of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Dare County via special online video on the Seashore’s Facebook page and Dare County’s CURRENTtv.

Join park rangers for lighthouse history, stories, a virtual tour, and songs celebrating the past 150 years of the Point Reyes Lighthouse

The 144-year old Tortugas Harbor Lighthouse on historic Fort Jefferson is about to get a facelift. On October 19, Dry Tortugas National Park kicked off the $4.5 million project to restore and preserve the deteriorating lighthouse for the next 100-plus years.

The National Park Service (NPS) is excited to announce that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) transferred the Bass Harbor Head Light Station from the U.S. Coast Guard to Acadia National Park on July 8, 2020. Constructed in 1858, the light station was transferred at no expense to the NPS under the authority of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 (NHLPA). The Bass Harbor Head Light Station is now one of three light stations in Acadia National Park joining the Baker Island and Bear Island lights.

The Winter Shuttle Bus System for the Point Reyes Headlands begins on Saturday, December 28, 2019.

Point Reyes National Seashore has completed a fifteen-month rehabilitation project at the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse and will reopen the site to visitors on November 8, 2019. The park will be celebrating this important milestone in preserving one of California's important historic maritime structures on December 1, 2019, the 149th anniversary of the first shining of the lighthouse by staying open past sunset and offering evening walks to the lighthouse.

Cape Lookout National Seashore announces a free day of lighthouse climbing on November 1, 2019, in commemoration of the 160th Anniversary of the iconic Crystal Coast beacon.