Mainepedia
Culture & History Guide

Best Photography Spots in Maine

From iconic lighthouses to hidden waterfalls, Maine offers endless opportunities for stunning photography. Your guide to Maine's most photogenic locations.

Maine is a photographer’s dream—dramatic coastlines, historic lighthouses, covered bridges, and landscapes that shift with the seasons. Whether you shoot with a smartphone or a full professional kit, Maine delivers compositions at every turn. This guide covers the iconic shots every photographer seeks and the hidden gems that reward exploration.

Lighthouses

Maine has more than 60 lighthouses, and several are among the most photographed structures in America.

Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth)

The most photographed lighthouse in America, and for good reason. The white tower rises from rocky cliffs with the Atlantic behind.

Best shots:

  • Classic view from the rocks below (requires scrambling)
  • Sunset silhouettes from Fort Williams Park
  • Long exposures of waves crashing on the rocks

Best time: Sunrise and sunset. Golden hour light on the white tower is exceptional.

Tip: Walk past the obvious viewing areas. The best angles require exploring the coastline.

Bass Harbor Head Light (Acadia)

Acadia’s most iconic lighthouse, perched on a cliff with spruce trees framing the tower.

Best shots:

  • The classic view from below (requires climbing down wooden stairs)
  • Sunset compositions with the tower silhouetted
  • Blue hour twilight with light glowing

Best time: Sunset. The lighthouse faces southwest.

Warning: The rocks below are crowded with photographers at sunset—arrive at least an hour early to claim position.

Pemaquid Point Light

Famous for the dramatic striped rock formations surrounding the tower.

Best shots:

  • Lighthouse with striated rocks in foreground
  • Long exposure smoothing water in channels between rocks
  • Storm surf crashing against the point

Best time: Any time—the rocks photograph well in any light.

Marshall Point Light (Port Clyde)

A picturesque light with a distinctive walkway connecting it to shore (featured in Forrest Gump).

Best shots:

  • The walkway leading to the light
  • Reflections in the calm harbor
  • Sunrise colors over the water

Nubble Light (York)

Classic New England lighthouse on a small island just offshore. The Sohier Park viewing area provides easy access.

Best shots:

  • Traditional compositions from the park
  • Holiday lights display (December)
  • Long exposures with waves

Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain Sunrise

The famous first-sunrise-in-America location (during certain times of year). The summit view is spectacular in any season.

Best shots:

  • Sunrise panoramas looking east over the islands
  • Compositions using the granite summit rocks
  • Silhouettes against the dawn sky

Tip: Check sunrise times carefully. Summer sunrise can be before 5 AM.

Jordan Pond

The iconic view of the Bubbles mountains reflected in the pond.

Best shots:

  • The classic Bubbles reflection (early morning, calm day)
  • Autumn colors reflected in water
  • Fog lifting from the pond

Best time: Early morning when the water is still.

Thunder Hole

Dramatic spray shots when conditions are right.

Best shots:

  • Wave spray erupting from the cave
  • Long exposure of water surge
  • Dramatic storm conditions

Tip: Incoming tide, moderate swell. Protect your gear from spray.

Park Loop Road

Multiple pullouts offer coastal views, especially:

  • Otter Cliff (dramatic 110-foot drop)
  • Sand Beach overlook
  • Boulder Beach patterns

Waterfalls

Moxie Falls

Maine’s tallest waterfall (90 feet) in a dramatic gorge setting.

Best shots:

  • Full waterfall from viewing platform
  • Intimate details from gorge floor
  • Long exposure silking the water

Best time: Spring for maximum flow; fall for foliage framing.

Smalls Falls (Township E)

A series of cascades with natural swimming holes.

Best shots:

  • Multiple tier compositions
  • Swimmers for scale (summer)
  • Ice formations (winter)

Angel Falls (Township D)

Maine’s second-highest waterfall, requiring a hike to reach.

Best shots:

  • The full 90-foot drop
  • Rainbow in the spray
  • Intimate detail shots

Step Falls (Grafton Notch)

Cascading falls along a popular trail.

Best shots:

  • Multiple tiers flowing down granite
  • Autumn colors above the water

Coastal Scenery

Schoodic Point

The “quiet side” of Acadia offers dramatic wave action on pink granite.

Best shots:

  • Waves crashing on Schoodic Point rocks
  • Long exposures smoothing ocean movement
  • Storm conditions (spectacular but careful)

Cutler Coast

Downeast Maine’s Bold Coast offers 150-foot cliffs and remote beauty.

Best shots:

  • Dramatic cliff faces
  • Fog rolling over the coast
  • Sunrise from the trail

Monhegan Island

Artists have painted here for 150 years. Photographers follow for the same light.

Best shots:

  • Whitehead cliff panoramas
  • Cathedral Woods mystical forest
  • Working harbor scenes

Fall Foliage

Prime Locations

Grafton Notch State Park: Mountain scenery with peak color.

Rangeley Lakes: Lake and mountain combinations.

Baxter State Park: Katahdin reflected in fall colors.

Acadia: Carriage roads, Jordan Pond, and summit views.

Timing

  • Northern Maine: Late September to early October
  • Central Maine: First week of October
  • Southern Maine: Second to third week of October

Tips

  • Cloudy days reduce contrast and reveal color
  • After rain, colors saturate
  • Early morning mist adds atmosphere
  • Reflections require calm water (early morning)

Covered Bridges

Maine has nine historic covered bridges remaining.

Artist’s Covered Bridge (Sunday River, Newry)

The most photographed bridge in Maine, with dramatic mountain backdrop.

Best shots:

  • Bridge with Sunday River peaks behind
  • Fall foliage framing
  • Snow-covered winter scenes

Hemlock Bridge (Fryeburg)

Over the Old Course of Saco River, with classic New England setting.

Lovejoy Bridge (Andover)

Oldest covered bridge in Maine, crossing the Ellis River.

Portland

Old Port

Cobblestone streets and brick architecture.

Best shots:

  • Morning light on Exchange Street
  • Rainy reflections on cobblestones
  • Restaurant patios at dusk

Waterfront

Best shots:

  • Commercial Street working wharves
  • Portland Breakwater Light from Bug Light Park
  • Sunset over Casco Bay islands

Munjoy Hill

Best shots:

  • Observatory views of the city
  • East End Beach sunrise

Seasonal Specialties

Winter

  • Frozen waterfalls
  • Ice-covered lighthouses
  • Snow-blanketed villages
  • Aurora borealis (northern Maine)

Spring

  • Lupine fields (June)
  • Waterfalls at peak flow
  • Apple blossoms

Summer

  • Sunrise over ocean
  • Sailing and harbor scenes
  • Beach life

Fall

  • Foliage everywhere
  • Harvest scenes
  • Morning mist on lakes

Technical Tips

Coastal Photography

  • Bring lens cloths (spray is constant)
  • Tripod for long exposures
  • Polarizing filter for sky and water
  • Watch tide charts

Lighthouse Tips

  • Scout locations in advance
  • Check access and lighting direction
  • Return in different conditions
  • Include human elements for scale

Waterfall Tips

  • Neutral density filter for silky water
  • Tripod essential
  • Waterproof camera protection
  • Vary shutter speeds

General Maine Tips

  • Weather changes fast—wait for better light
  • Arrive early, stay late
  • Return to the same location in different conditions
  • Ask locals for hidden spots

Planning Resources

  • Maine.gov webcams: Real-time conditions
  • Tide charts: Essential for coastal photography
  • Sunrise/sunset apps: PhotoPills, The Photographer’s Ephemeris
  • Weather: Check marine forecasts for coastal fog

Maine offers a lifetime of photographic subjects. From the first light hitting Cadillac Mountain to the last glow on Portland Head Light, Maine rewards photographers who arrive early, stay late, and return again to capture the endless variations of light on landscape.

Plan your photography adventures with these resources: