12 Maryland Lighthouses You Can Visit (The Ultimate Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Tour)

Discover 12 Maryland lighthouses you can visit around the Chesapeake Bay, including historic lights, scenic parks, and family-friendly stops.

Estimated reading time: 25 minutes

There’s something about lighthouses that makes people slow down.

Maybe it’s the history. Maybe it’s the idea of ships navigating dangerous water guided by a single light. Or maybe it’s simply the way a lighthouse looks standing against the sky and water.

Maryland actually has a deeper lighthouse history than many people realize. At one point dozens of lights guided ships through the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers that feed into it.

Most of those lights are gone now.

Navigation technology changed. Some structures were dismantled. Others were destroyed by storms or simply fell into disrepair.

But several still remain — and a surprising number of them are places you can actually visit today.

Over the years we’ve slowly turned lighthouse hunting into a fun Maryland side quest. Sometimes we intentionally plan a trip around one. Other times we discover one while visiting a museum, hiking a trail, or exploring a waterfront town.

This guide covers all of the Maryland lighthouses visitors can see today, but it especially focuses on the ones I’ve personally visited.

If you enjoy lighthouse hunting, Maryland has several historic lights that are surprisingly easy to visit. This guide covers the Maryland lighthouses you can actually see today, along with travel tips and nearby stops that make great day trips.

And as it turns out, several of these lighthouses make great stops for families too.

Looking for a full outing? Explore these perfect Maryland day trip ideas that combine parks, historic sites, and great local food.

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Maryland Lighthouses You Can Visit

Maryland once had more than 40 lighthouses guiding ships through the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers, but today only about a dozen historic lights remain visible to visitors.

If you’re planning a lighthouse road trip around the Chesapeake Bay, these are the Maryland lighthouses that visitors can see today. Some allow visitors to go inside, while others are best viewed from nearby parks, museums, or boat tours.

Northern Chesapeake Bay

Concord Point Lighthouse – Havre de Grace
Turkey Point Lighthouse – Elk Neck State Park

Baltimore Harbor

Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse – Baltimore Inner Harbor
Lightship Chesapeake – Baltimore Maritime Museum

Southern Maryland

Piney Point Lighthouse – St. Mary’s County
Point Lookout Lighthouse – Point Lookout State Park
Blackistone Lighthouse – St. Clements Island State Park
Drum Point Lighthouse – Calvert Marine Museum
Cedar Point Lighthouse Cupola – Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
Cove Point Lighthouse – Calvert County

Eastern Shore

Choptank River Lighthouse – Cambridge
Hooper Strait Lighthouse – St. Michaels, Chesapeake Maritime Museum

Potomac River

Fort Washington Lighthouse – Fort Washington Park

Chesapeake Bay (Boat Access)

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse – Annapolis

Quick Snapshot: Maryland Lighthouses You Can Visit

Lighthouse	Location	Can You Go Inside?
Concord Point Lighthouse	Havre de Grace	Limited hours
Turkey Point Lighthouse	Elk Neck State Park	Exterior
Piney Point Lighthouse	St. Mary’s County	Yes
Point Lookout Lighthouse	Point Lookout State Park	Limited tours
Blackistone Lighthouse	St. Clements Island	Yes
Drum Point Lighthouse	Solomons	Yes
Choptank River Lighthouse	Cambridge	Yes
Hooper Strait Lighthouse	St. Michaels	Yes
Cedar Point Lighthouse Cupola	NAS Patuxent Museum	Exterior
Cove Point Lighthouse	Calvert County	Limited tours
Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse	Baltimore	Exterior
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse	Annapolis	Boat tours

Now let’s take a closer look at the lighthouses that make the best stops on a Maryland lighthouse road trip.

Concord Point Lighthouse (Havre de Grace)

If you were trying to design the perfect setting for a lighthouse, Havre de Grace would be a pretty good place to start.

The Concord Point Lighthouse sits where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Water on three sides, boats drifting past, and wide open views.

Built in 1827, it’s also the oldest surviving lighthouse in Maryland.

The lighthouse itself is fairly modest, but the surrounding park makes this stop special.

Millard Tydings Memorial Park wraps around the lighthouse and stretches along the waterfront. There’s a great playground here (also lighthouse themed), walking paths, picnic spots, and plenty of space to sit and watch boats moving through the bay.

When the lighthouse is open you can climb to the lantern room. But even when it’s closed, the park alone makes this a pleasant place to spend some time.

My daughter noticed the playground before she noticed the lighthouse — which honestly feels about right.

Turkey Point Lighthouse (Elk Neck State Park)

Turkey Point Lighthouse might be the most adventurous lighthouse stop in Maryland.

That’s because getting there requires a short hike.

The lighthouse sits at the end of a trail inside Elk Neck State Park, perched on a bluff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The hike is about two miles round trip and mostly flat, making it surprisingly doable for families who enjoy a little walking.

Eventually the woods open up and the view gets big.

Then the lighthouse appears.

Turkey Point Lighthouse was built in 1833, and although visitors can’t go inside, the setting is what makes it memorable. Standing near the cliffs, you get sweeping views across the Chesapeake Bay.

It’s one of those places where people tend to linger longer than expected.

If you’re traveling with older kids who enjoy hiking, this is easily one of the most fun lighthouse stops in the state.

Piney Point Lighthouse

Piney Point is one of those places where the lighthouse is great… but the whole area is great too.

The lighthouse itself dates back to 1836 and stands along the Potomac River in Southern Maryland. Visitors can climb the lighthouse during open hours, which is always fun — lighthouse staircases tend to be steeper and narrower than you expect.

But Piney Point isn’t just the tower.

The grounds include a small museum, historic keeper’s quarters, and waterfront walking paths overlooking the river.

Southern Maryland also has a surprising number of interesting places nearby, which makes Piney Point a great stop during a larger Southern Maryland day trip.

There’s enough to explore here that the visit rarely feels rushed.

Point Lookout Lighthouse (Point Lookout State Park)

Few places in Maryland combine history and scenery quite like Point Lookout.

Located at the southern tip of the state where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, Point Lookout State Park is already a beautiful place to visit.

The lighthouse adds another layer of history.

Built in 1830, the Point Lookout Lighthouse guided ships entering the Potomac River for more than a century.

The area also played an important role during the Civil War, when Point Lookout served as a Union prison camp.

Today the lighthouse sits quietly overlooking the water. Tours are offered occasionally, but even viewing it from the outside is worthwhile.

The park itself includes beaches, fishing areas, historic sites, and long waterfront views.

Blackistone Lighthouse (St. Clements Island)

Blackistone Lighthouse is technically a replica, but it’s still one of the most memorable stops on a Maryland lighthouse tour.

The lighthouse sits on St. Clements Island, a small island in the Potomac River.

Getting there requires a short boat ride.

And honestly, the boat ride is half the fun.

Once you reach the island you’ll find the lighthouse, historic monuments, walking trails, and beautiful river views. The lighthouse represents the original Blackistone Lighthouse that once guided ships along the Potomac.

For families, the ferry ride makes this stop feel like a mini adventure.

Drum Point Lighthouse (Calvert Marine Museum)

If you want to see what a Chesapeake Bay lighthouse actually looks like inside, Drum Point Lighthouse is the place to do it.

The lighthouse now sits on the grounds of the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, where visitors can walk through the restored interior.

Originally it stood offshore in the Patuxent River before being relocated to the museum for preservation.

Inside you’ll see the keeper’s living quarters and the lantern room. It doesn’t take long to realize lighthouse keepers lived in very tight spaces.

But the lighthouse is only part of what makes this stop worthwhile.

Solomons itself has a lot going on — waterfront restaurants, a boardwalk along the harbor, the marine museum exhibits, and some beautiful views of the river.

It’s easy to arrive planning to see the lighthouse and end up staying for the afternoon.

Choptank River Lighthouse (Cambridge)

The Choptank River Lighthouse sits right on the Cambridge waterfront, and it’s one of the most scenic lighthouse stops in Maryland.

The lighthouse is a replica of a historic screw-pile lighthouse that once stood offshore in the Choptank River.

Visitors can walk inside and see exhibits about lighthouse keepers and the maritime history of the region.

But if you’re visiting with kids, the highlight might actually be the park next door.

Sailwinds Park is fantastic. It has a large waterfront playground, open grassy areas, and great views of the river. And guess what? The main theme of this playground is.. you guessed it.. a lighthouse.

The combination of the lighthouse, the playground, and the waterfront setting makes this one of the most family-friendly lighthouse stops in Maryland.

Hooper Strait Lighthouse (St. Michaels)

The Hooper Strait Lighthouse is located inside the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels.

Originally built in 1879, the lighthouse once stood offshore in the bay before being relocated to the museum.

Visitors can walk through the restored interior and see what life would have been like for lighthouse keepers stationed out on the water.

The museum itself is excellent, with exhibits about boatbuilding, oyster harvesting, and Chesapeake Bay history.

After exploring the museum, it’s worth wandering through the town of St. Michaels.

And if you’re craving something sweet afterward, Justine’s Ice Cream is a classic stop.

Cedar Point Lighthouse Cupola (Patuxent River Naval Air Museum)

Cedar Point Lighthouse itself no longer exists — but a fascinating piece of it survives.

At the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, visitors can see the original lantern room (cupola) from the lighthouse.

The lighthouse once stood near the mouth of the Patuxent River before being dismantled.

While it’s a small exhibit, seeing the lantern room up close gives you a sense of how these historic lights once worked.

Lighthouses I Haven’t Visited Yet

A few Maryland lighthouses are still on my own future road-trip list.

Other Historic Lighthouse Sites in Maryland

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse (Annapolis)

If there’s one lighthouse that people associate with the Chesapeake Bay, it’s Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse.

Located just offshore from Annapolis, this striking red and white lighthouse sits on screw piles in the middle of the bay. It’s one of the most photographed lighthouses in the region — and for good reason.

Built in 1875, Thomas Point Shoal is the last screw-pile lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay that still stands in its original location. Many similar lighthouses were moved to museums or dismantled over time, but this one remains exactly where it was built.

Because of that, it’s also one of the most historically important lighthouses in Maryland.

Unlike some of the other lighthouses in this guide, you can’t simply walk up to it. The lighthouse sits offshore and can only be reached by boat.

However, several organizations offer guided boat tours from Annapolis that allow visitors to step inside the lighthouse and learn about its history.

Even if you don’t take a tour, you can still see the lighthouse from the water on sailing trips or boat excursions around the Chesapeake Bay.

For lighthouse enthusiasts, this is often considered the crown jewel of Maryland’s lighthouse collection.

Cove Point Lighthouse

One of the most recognizable lighthouses in Maryland.

Although the lighthouse itself is usually closed except for occasional tours, nearby Cove Point Park has a great playground and beach access.

It’s also located close to Calvert Cliffs State Park, which makes it easy to combine multiple stops in one trip.

Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse (Baltimore Inner Harbor)

The Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse is one of the oldest surviving screw-pile lighthouses on the Chesapeake Bay, and it has a surprisingly interesting history.

The lighthouse was originally built in 1855 and stood offshore at the mouth of the Patapsco River, where it helped guide ships entering Baltimore Harbor. Like many Chesapeake Bay lighthouses, it was built on iron piles driven into the bay floor so that it could stand in shallow water.

Eventually the lighthouse was decommissioned and relocated to Baltimore.

Today it sits on land in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, right near the National Aquarium and the historic ships at the Baltimore Maritime Museum. While visitors typically can’t go inside, you can walk right up to it and see the distinctive screw-pile design that made Chesapeake Bay lighthouses so unique.

If you’re already exploring the Inner Harbor — the aquarium, Port Discovery, historic ships, or the science center — it’s an easy and interesting stop.

And it’s a rare chance to see a historic offshore-style lighthouse up close without needing a boat.

Fort Washington Lighthouse (Fort Washington Park)

Fort Washington Lighthouse is one of the least well-known lighthouses in Maryland, and many visitors to the park don’t even realize it’s there. And by visitors, I mean me. I didn’t even know it was there until I did the research for this guide. Oops.

The lighthouse sits along the Potomac River inside Fort Washington Park, just south of Washington, DC. Compared to many Chesapeake Bay lighthouses, it’s fairly small and simple — but it played an important role guiding ships traveling along the river.

The lighthouse was built in 1882 and sits near the historic Fort Washington, a Civil War–era fort that once protected the nation’s capital from naval attack.

Today, the park is known more for its scenic river views and historic fort than for the lighthouse itself. But if you’re exploring the grounds, it’s worth taking a few minutes to walk over and see it.

Between the fort, the waterfront views, and the lighthouse, the park makes a nice historical stop along the Potomac.

Lightship Chesapeake (Baltimore)

The Lightship Chesapeake isn’t technically a lighthouse — but it served a very similar purpose.

Instead of building a lighthouse structure in dangerous or deep waters, the U.S. Lighthouse Service sometimes anchored specially designed ships in key locations. These vessels carried powerful lights and fog signals to guide ships safely through hazardous areas.

The Lightship Chesapeake spent decades stationed in the Chesapeake Bay, acting as a floating lighthouse.

Today the ship is preserved as part of Baltimore’s maritime museum in the Inner Harbor, alongside several historic vessels including the USS Constellation.

Visitors can walk along the harbor and see the ship up close, and in some cases tours are offered that allow you to step aboard and explore the interior.

It’s a fascinating piece of maritime history — and a reminder that lighthouse technology didn’t always look like a tower.

Craighill Channel Lower Range Front Light (Bonus Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse)

One lighthouse you might see while traveling across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is the Craighill Channel Lower Range Front Light.

This distinctive red lighthouse stands offshore in the Chesapeake Bay near the shipping channel that leads into Baltimore Harbor.

Built in 1873, the lighthouse is part of a pair of “range lights” that helped ships line up safely as they navigated the busy channel toward Baltimore.

Unlike many Chesapeake Bay screw-pile lighthouses, Craighill Channel Light is still standing in its original offshore location. Because it sits in open water, it can only be viewed from boats or from a distance while crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Even though visitors can’t reach the lighthouse, it remains one of the most recognizable lights in the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Lighthouses That Are Great for Families

While lighthouse tours often appeal to photographers and history lovers, several Maryland lighthouses are surprisingly good for families.

Some of the best include:

Choptank River Lighthouse – Sailwinds Park playground makes this a great stop for kids.

Drum Point Lighthouse – the Calvert Marine Museum and Solomons waterfront provide plenty to explore.

Piney Point Lighthouse – pairs perfectly with a larger Southern Maryland day trip.

Turkey Point Lighthouse – a fun hike with rewarding views.

Blackistone Lighthouse – the boat ride to St. Clements Island adds adventure.

Plan a Full Day Trip Around These Maryland Lighthouses

One thing I quickly realized while visiting these lighthouses is that the lighthouse itself usually doesn’t take very long to see. You might spend ten or fifteen minutes walking around, taking photos, and reading the historical markers.

The good news is that many of these lighthouse stops sit near great parks, museums, and small towns, which makes it easy to turn a quick lighthouse stop into a full day trip.

Here are a few ideas for building a larger outing around some of Maryland’s best lighthouse destinations.

Southern Maryland Lighthouse Day Trip

If you’re visiting Piney Point Lighthouse, Point Lookout Lighthouse, or Blackistone Lighthouse on St. Clements Island, you’re already in one of the most historically rich areas of Maryland.

A few nearby stops worth considering:

Historic St. Mary’s City
This outdoor living history museum explores Maryland’s colonial beginnings and sits right along the St. Mary’s River. It’s a fascinating place to walk around, with reconstructed buildings and beautiful waterfront views.

Annmarie Sculpture Garden
Located near Solomons, this sculpture garden mixes art with nature trails through the woods. It’s especially fun if you’re traveling with kids because the outdoor exhibits feel a little like a scavenger hunt.

Flag Ponds Nature Park
If you’re more interested in nature than museums, Flag Ponds is a beautiful place to explore the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The park has hiking trails and a beach where visitors sometimes search for shark teeth.

Jefferson Patterson Park
Another excellent outdoor stop, Jefferson Patterson Park has walking trails, waterfront views, and wide open space along the Patuxent River.

Together with Piney Point or Point Lookout, these stops can easily turn a lighthouse visit into a full Southern Maryland adventure.

Eastern Shore Lighthouse Stops

The Choptank River Lighthouse in Cambridge and the Hooper Strait Lighthouse in St. Michaels make a great pair for an Eastern Shore day trip.

And there are several worthwhile stops nearby.

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center
Located not far from Cambridge, this powerful museum explores Harriet Tubman’s life and the landscape that shaped her story.

Tuckahoe State Park
A beautiful state park with hiking trails, fishing areas, and peaceful forest scenery. It’s a nice contrast to the waterfront towns.

Idlewild Park (Easton)
If you’re traveling with kids, Idlewild Park in Easton is an excellent playground stop. It’s one of those local parks that makes a road trip break feel easy and fun.

Havre de Grace and Elk Neck Lighthouse Stops

The northern Chesapeake Bay lighthouses — Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace and Turkey Point Lighthouse in Elk Neck State Park — are a little more spread out from other major attractions.

But there are still a few fun stops nearby if you want to extend the outing.

Plumpton Park Zoo
This small local zoo near Rising Sun is surprisingly fun and often less crowded than larger zoos.

Milburn Orchards
If you’re visiting in the fall especially, Milburn Orchards is a fantastic stop for apple picking, cider, and family-friendly farm activities.

Combined with the waterfront views in Havre de Grace or the hike to Turkey Point Lighthouse, these stops can turn the trip into a full day of exploring the northern Chesapeake region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Lighthouses

If you’re planning a Maryland lighthouse tour, these are a few of the most common questions visitors ask.

How many lighthouses are in Maryland?

Maryland once had more than 40 lighthouses guiding ships through the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Today, about a dozen historic lights remain visible to visitors, including Concord Point Lighthouse, Piney Point Lighthouse, and the famous Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse near Annapolis.

Can you go inside any Maryland lighthouses?

Yes — a few Maryland lighthouses allow visitors to explore the interior. Drum Point Lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum, Hooper Strait Lighthouse at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and the Choptank River Lighthouse in Cambridge all allow visitors to walk inside and see how lighthouse keepers once lived.

Some other lighthouses, like Piney Point Lighthouse, also offer occasional tower climbs during open hours.

What is the oldest lighthouse in Maryland?

The Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Maryland. It was built in 1827 and helped guide ships where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay.

What is the most famous lighthouse in Maryland?

The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse near Annapolis is often considered the most famous lighthouse in Maryland. Built in 1875, it is the last screw-pile lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay that still stands in its original offshore location.

Visitors can only reach the lighthouse by boat, but guided tours are sometimes available.

Which Maryland lighthouse is best for families to visit?

Several Maryland lighthouses are great stops for families.

The Choptank River Lighthouse in Cambridge is especially kid-friendly because it sits next to Sailwinds Park, which has a large playground and waterfront walking areas.

Other good family stops include Drum Point Lighthouse in Solomons, Piney Point Lighthouse in Southern Maryland, and the Turkey Point Lighthouse hike in Elk Neck State Park.

Can you visit Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse?

Yes, but only by boat. The lighthouse sits offshore in the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, and visitors must take a guided boat tour to reach it. These tours allow visitors to step inside the historic lighthouse and learn about its role guiding ships through the bay.

What is a screw-pile lighthouse?

Many Chesapeake Bay lighthouses were built using a design called a screw-pile lighthouse. These structures stood on iron piles that were screwed into the bay floor, allowing the lighthouse to stand in shallow water where building a traditional lighthouse tower would have been difficult.

Several Maryland lighthouses, including Hooper Strait Lighthouse and the Choptank River Lighthouse, use this distinctive design.

Are there lighthouse tours in Maryland?

Yes. Some maritime museums and organizations offer guided lighthouse tours. The most famous example is the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse tour from Annapolis, which allows visitors to reach the offshore lighthouse by boat and explore the interior.

Maryland Lighthouse Map

Final Thoughts

Lighthouse hunting may not be the first thing people think of when planning a Maryland road trip.

But once you start noticing them, it becomes a surprisingly fun way to explore the state.

From waterfront parks and scenic hikes to maritime museums and historic islands, Maryland’s surviving lighthouses offer a fascinating glimpse into Chesapeake Bay history.

And along the way, you’ll discover some beautiful places you might not have visited otherwise.