Fort Williams Park: Iconic Lighthouse and Impressive Park Near Portland, Maine

1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth (5 miles from Portland)

Located five miles outside Portland, the 90-acre Fort Williams Park is a magnet for lighthouse lovers, hikers, and history lovers. The highlight is the iconic Portland Head lighthouse which is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the east coast. When you’ve finished admiring the lighthouse (and probably taken lots of pictures), venture out on the rocky seaside coast (if you dare), learn more about the fort from the informational exhibits, take a walk or hike, visit the well-landscaped and beautiful Children’s Garden, satisfy your appetite with something from an onsite food truck. There’s all that and more at Fort Williams Park. My family enjoyed our visits to Fort Williams Park. For us, the highlight was the lighthouse, of course, and the Children’s Garden, which has a stone slide (fun for adults and kids), a maze made of wildflowers, and a beautiful, peaceful pond.

Portland Head Lighthouse stands along a rocky shore in Maine. — **Portland Head Lighthouse**

Contents

Hours of Operation and Admission

Fort Williams Park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.
There are large parking lots. There are parking fees (hourly or daily) for parking lots closest to the lighthouse. There’s no charge for parking in other lots.

**The rocky shore marks a tragic shipwreck (foreground) and is a magnet for park visitors (background).**

What to Expect at Fort Williams Park

the often-photographed Portland Head lighthouse that was built in the 1790s and was designated a National Historic Engineering Landmark in 2002. A nearby plaque indicates that it was the first lighthouse that was put into service by the U.S. government under the Lighthouse Act of 1789.
a stone near the lighthouse that is marked as the place Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a Portland native, sat when visiting the lighthouse (that became a muse for his poem, The Lighthouse).
the Museum at Portland Head, a small informative museum that used to be the lightkeeper’s home.
Battery Keyes, a gun battery used for coastal defense (built in 1905 and decommissioned in 1945), plus other historical sites tied to the time this area was used as a U.S. fort.
children’s garden with a unique stone slide, wooden treehouse, maze created with wildflowers, and pond. This special area was designed for kids to explore and enjoy nature.
expansive open grassy areas, perfect for flying kites or a game of tag.
trails from 0.75 miles to 1.0 miles that can be combined for a longer trek. The one-mile scenic Cliff Walk Loop hugs the coastline.
the ruins of the Goddard Mansion (built in the 1850s for businessman John Goddard) that, in 1900, was acquired by the U.S. Army to house married enlisted men and their families.
picnic areas.
playground.
off-leash dog area.
large parking lots.
food trucks (located by the lighthouse and parking area).
restrooms.

Tips for Your Visit

Expect to carry in and carry out your trash. There are no trash cans in the park.
Dogs are welcome but must be leashed (unless using the off-leash dog area).
Bring along water and snacks – or even a picnic lunch.
Stay on the trails.

**A peaceful pond in the Children’s Garden is close to the stone slide, wooden treehouse, and maze in a wildflower garden.**

Fort Williams Park Map

**Fort Williams Park** *Source: fortwilliams.org*

How to Get to Fort Williams Park

Check your favorite GPS app for the best route to Fort Williams Park. Basically, when leaving Portland, you’ll head south on State Street (ME-77), continue onto the Casco Bay Bridge (ME-77), and travel down several streets to Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. With little traffic, the ride should take about 15 minutes.

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Final Thoughts

My family enjoyed our visits to Fort Williams Park. We really came to see the lighthouse, but we soon realized this place had a lot of history, scenic trails, and a delightful children’s garden (that’s appealing to both kids and adults). Take along some water and snacks and spend some time here. If you’re hungry for lobster, a Maine staple, you’ll find a food truck here to provide that tasty treat. An estimated 1 million people visit the park each year. That’s no surprise — based on our visits.

**The ruins of the Goddard Mansion, a home built in the 1850s that was later owned and operated by the U.S. Army**

Comments?

Feel free to share your experiences in Portland, Maine and/or suggestions for other places to visit in the area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂