Quoddy Head State Park
Name: Quoddy Head State Park
Location: 973 Lubec Road, Lubec, Maine 04652
Activities: Lighthouse, bathroom facilities, picnic area, hiking trails, nature watching, visitor center.
Dog-friendly: Yes, on-leash.
Hours: 9:00a.m.-sunset daily
Season: May 15th-October 15th
Camping: No
Fees: Yes, self-service collection station
Quoddy Head State Park offers visitors scenic walking trails, gorgeous picnic spots, nature watching, and a picturesque lighthouse! This laid back family-friendly park is the perfect place to spend a morning, afternoon, or even a whole day! Maine locals and visitors can find a lot to love about this serene state park!
The name Quoddy Head, which translates to “fertile and beautiful place” comes from the Passamaquoddy tribe. In 1962, the State of Maine purchased the land from private landowners. The title to the lighthouse was passed from the Island Institute to the Maine Coastguard. In 1998, it was given to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. Quoddy Head is now managed by both the Bureau of Parks and Lands and the West Quoddy Light Keepers Association.
Built in 1808, the lighthouse was originally fueled by sperm whale oil, followed by lard oil in the 1860s, kerosene in the 1880s, and electricity in the 1890s. The light still sends two white flashes every 15 seconds that reach between 15-18 miles off shoreline. The red and white stripes were added to increase visibility in 1858, after the tower was reconstructed from stone to brick.
The park sits on the easternmost peninsula in the U.S. With 541 acres of land to explore, the opportunities are endless. Have a picnic next to the lighthouse overlooking the ocean or at the designated picnic area Find a spot on the lawn and read a book. Bring a pair of binoculars to try and spot a humpback, minke, or finback whale.
If hiking is more your speed, check out one of the five trails that span the coastline as well as the inland forests. Several of the trails have high cliffs and bluffs so be extra cautious in wet conditions.
The Bog Trail is an easy, 1 mile round-trip trail that showcases the forest and wetlands. The Coastal Trail is a moderate, 4 mile round-trip trail that shows off beautiful, rugged coastline, a narrow chasm, and a 150 foot bluff. The easy 0.75 mile Inland Trail offers a walk through serene woods filled with moss, lichen, and coniferous trees. On the East side of the park, the 1 mile Coast Guard Trail will bring you to an overlook that provides scenic views of the ocean and the town of Lubec. Last but not least, the 1.25 mile wooded Thompson Trail will bring you to Carrying Place Cove, home to 1,200 feet of sandy beach.
We visited Quoddy Head during July and found it to be very relaxing. Although the parking lot was nearly full, the park was so large that everyone got to enjoy their visit without feeling crowded. Getting private pictures of the lighthouse was a breeze (literally) and the whole experience was very enjoyable. If you haven’t already, you absolutely need to add Quoddy Head to your Maine bucket list!
Happy exploring, friends!
