Bear Island Lighthouse in Acadia National Park, Maine

Bear Island and the Bear Island Lighthouse are located at the southern entrance to Somes Sound, the only fjord on the east coast of the United States. Somes Sound runs north to south through the center of Mount Desert Island, home to the majority of Acadia National Park. Bear Island and the Bear Island Lighthouse are located in the community of Cranberry Isles. Bear Island is approximately 1,200 feet from the shoreline.

The original light station was extablished in 1839. The current 31 foot high lighthouse (100 foot high focal plane) was constructed of brick in 1889. Service was discontinued in 1982 but it was relighted in 1989 as an automatic and private aid to navigation. The lighthouse is on Acadia National Park land but is privately leased and closed to the public. Bear Island Lighthouse is best viewed by boat. Boat rentals are available in places like Manset, part of Southwest Harbor. (see large photo of lighthouse)

Location:   44 16 59 North      68 16 10 West

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Click the following for additional information on Maine Lighthouses:

Maine Lighthouses Illustrated Map & Guide
by Peter Dow Bachelder, Bella Terra Publishing

The Lighthouses of Maine (Lighthouse Treasury)
by Jeremy D'Entremont

Maine Lighthouses: Documentation Of Their Past
by J. Candace Clifford, Mary Louise Clifford