Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

I really loved this light house. It was put here in 1897, but went out of service sometime in the mid 20^th century. It is very small and quaint and not the easiest walk to get out to if you’re wearing the wrong kind of shoes or if you step wrong.
Scenic wise — it gives you a great view of several old forts that surround the area including one that was built for the Spanish American War that never got used since they never made it up that far to Portland.
It’s located on the SMCC campus. Parking is limited, but not unattainable. This lighthouse isn’t on the high list of demands like the Portland Light is. I’d say this is more localized than touristy.

History lessons with Steffasaurus: Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, a modern caisson-​style lighthouse which some say look like a spark plug, was built at the tail end of the 1800’s to warn sailors of a dangerous ledge in Portland Harbor that NUMEROUS ships had run into. The area around the lighthouse — a beautiful park, basically — is open to the public.
It’s a very, very cool spot here in SoPo.
And I’m in love with it.
I think the reason why I’m so enamored with Spring Point Ledge boils down to a) I didn’t grow up in the coastal Maine region, and b) I couldn’t touch Stonehenge. Let me unpack that:
a) Having grown up inland, taking a trip to the ocean was a BIG deal for my family. Despite living .2 miles away from the coast now, it never ceases to amaze me the accessibility and natural wonder of the ocean. And I see that is sometimes to frequently lost on the people of the Greater Portland area. To be able to just be at the beach in under ten minutes? To take a picnic on a postcard inspired view that people from around the world come here to see? Why aren’t more people taking advantage of that? Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse overlooks Casco Bay, Fort Gorges, and you can even watch the ferries go past. It’s peaceful and beautiful and worthy of your time.
b) You can’t touch Stonehenge. Once upon a time, you could (and you can still — as far as I know — touch the stones of Avebury and elsewhere), but for preservation purposes you’re no longer allowed very close to them. Spring Point Ledge is a lighthouse. A lighthouse that you can walk right out onto the granite breakwater and touch (and, like I mentioned, sometimes even go in). That’s very, very unique. And something no one should expect is going to last forever. So take advantage of it now.
There’s also a little beach nearby, fun fort structures to climb, and plenty of green space to lounge in and read a book. It really is a perfect little oasis right off the campus of SMCC.

Spring Point Lighthouse is another fairly small lighthouse like Bug Point, a short drive from Portland. The parking lot is tiny and often full so you may be in for a walk. The Lighthouse can be walked to across a narrow jetty. Not the traditional picturesque lighthouse, but nice regardless.

Awesome place! It’s right on the SMCC campus, teeny tiny little lighthouse. Limited parking but I’m always able to find a spot right in the closest lot. A great walk. You can explore the forts, have a picnic on the grass, walk along the beach, sit on a bench and enjoy the view, or – highly recommended — walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse itself. Love it.

This little lighthouse is located on the campus of Southern Maine Community College. This lighthouse is situated on the coast between Buglight and Portland Headlight.
Parking is scarce here and you need to be careful. The campus has done a good job at putting up signs, but there is street parking nearby and it is a short walk to the small beach area and grassy knoll. A breakwater leads out to the lighthouse and sometimes it is open for tours. Past the lighthouse in to Casco Bay you can see Fort Gorges and other forts on the surrounding islands.
The grounds are from an old fort and if you climb the stairs on the hill behind you, you will end up along the battlements.
The Spring Point Shoreway will lead you from Willard Beach along the edges of campus above the beach with beautiful views of the water along past the lighthouse and over toward Buglight where it joins the Greenbelt Walkway.
At the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse proper, there are benches, grassy space, a short paved path and small beach. A pier and another small beach can be found to your left with a beautiful osprey nest… this year they have two babies that they have raised and are almost ready to leave the nest. There is also a small picnic area with landscaped flowers and moorings for boats and Joe’s Boathouse restaurant.
We bring our dogs here since it isn’t generally busy, due to limited parking, and they can get in the water to cool off and we can have an easy walk. Some people do have dogs off leash here.

This lighthouse is awesome! It isn’t of the typical sort either (looks like a giant spark plug). This lighthouse is located in Casco Bay and is accessable via a short walk out on the jetty. There are two ways to get there. Either park in CMCC’s lot and walk out or park at Willard Beach, stroll all the way the end (north) and cimb the craggy rocks to the fort and lighthouse.
Pack a lunch!

Great lighthouse, but an even better trip to the lighthouse. You park at the little museum at the end of the campus, and then trek out the rocks and you can actually go up and touch the lighthouse. Awesome.
One word of warning — that lighthouse looks tiny from a distance, and it may not be a giant among lighthouses, but it’s a heck of a walk across those boulders, so make sure you’re ready for the walk.
While on the breakwater formed by the rocks, you have an unequaled view of the bay, you can snap pictures of not only the Spring Point lighthouse, but you can turn around and catch the Portland Head lighthouse (at a distance) and the Bug Island light too. Sweet!

It’s a long walk to get there. Stepping on big boulders of rocks to get but all worth it. It looks like it’s a working lighthouse? Light was flashing. Probably better to see during winter. The view is still breathtaking to me. I can see some other lighthouse from there. Must see.

A little light
with
big views.
The Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse was built in 1897 after complaints by shipping companies about how dangerous this area was. Ships would run into the point frequently during fog or at night.
The light is a typical inexpensive «spark plug» design that was very common at the time. Made of the usual brick and cast iron, it’s 54 feet tall and originally had a 5^th order Fresnel Lens that has since been removed.
The light served well for years but in 1951 a 900 foot breakwater was added. It took over 50,000 tons of granite to complete but not only helps keep the crashing waves and storms from smashing into the shore but also serves as a way for people to get really close to the light.
The light is nothing really unique but the area sure is. Incredible views of the bay and numerous ships that pass through can be seen from here. Several forts are also visible as well as the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse in the distance.
The light is a reached by going through the Southern Maine Community College until you reach the bay. A wonderful place with impressive views any time of the year. The diminutive lighthouse and it’s massive breakwater are one of the very best places to view the stunning beauty that is southern Maine.