Quoddy Head State Park
Quoddy Head State Park was our favorite State Park of our New England Road Trip! It is a day use park, with no camping, but the trails have amazing ocean side views that easily rival Acadian National Park.
The Park is the easternmost point of the United States, overlooking the Quoddy Channel (which divides the US and Canada). First built in 1808- the West Quoddy Head Light is the Easternmost lighthouse in the US. The current lighthouse and home were built in 1858 and were staffed by lightkeepers until 1988 when it became automated.
The park is open 9am-sunset, but the parking lot is right outside a gate and there is a box on the bulletin board to put your entrance fee. As long as you are okay with the lighthouse not being open yet, going early is a great way to get this park to yourself! There is a stamp right outside the park office if you are getting passport stamps along your trip! We arrived super early for sunrise (I think we got up at 3:30). From September 19th -October 6th and March 7th-14th, Quoddy Head is the first sunrise in the US (Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park holds that title from October 7th- March 6th). But unlike Cadillac Mountain, we had this park all to ourselves! Throughout all of our hiking here we came across one other couple.
We started out at the lighthouse, then walked along the 1 mile Coast Guard Trail that takes you out along some rocky bluffs and overlooks with minimal effort. After enjoying the sunrise at the lighthouse and trail, we hiked out along the longest trail in the park- the Coastal Trail. It is 3.6 miles with some fairly challenging sections (especially with the addition of some slippery rocks and logs). But is is a gorgeous trail that runs right along the cliffside of the Quoddy Channel. We made a pitstop into the town of Lubec for some coffee and pastries then headed back to our campsite at Cobscook State Park to enjoy the rest of our morning an pack up to head to Acadia.
Park Details:
ADDRESS: 973 South Lubec Rd, Lubec ME 04652
HOURS: May 15 through October 15 from 9am to sunset. (Guests may enjoy the park during the off season (or in off hours AKA for sunrise) by parking outside of the gate)
VISITOR CENTER: Opens at 9am to Sunset
ENTRANCE FEE: $4/day per non-Maine resident ($1 for seniors), and $3/day for Maine residents. Entrance Fee waived if you are camping for the night.
TRAILS: Four (amazing) trails to choose from
ACTIVITIES: Hiking and Birdwatching
DOG RULES: Dogs are allowed on all trails. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 4 feet. Please pick up after your pet and do not leave your pet unattended. Dogs are not allowed in park buildings.
Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup and on TikTok @axeltheadventurepup
