Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light are located at 1000 Shore Road. The 90-acre park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
Amenities within the park include Portland Head Light Museum & Gift Shop (Memorial Day through Columbus Day), historic sites, athletic fields, children’s play areas, a beach, walking trails, picnic tables, charcoal grills, tennis and pickleball courts, an off-leash dog walking area, a pond, portable toilets, seasonal food trucks, and vendors. Volunteers are relied on to staff the museum and gift shop. Explore available volunteer positions to get involved.
Review the Fort Williams Park Master Plan managed by the Fort Williams Park Committee.
During the season (mid-May through October), park staff lead free walking tours at 3 PM daily, weather permitting. The 40-minute talk along the one-mile Cliff Walk Trail includes eight stops featuring discussions on fort structures, native plants, shipwrecks, and lighthouses. Interested visitors should gather at the red shed in Central Parking. Tours are limited to 30 people and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They are not recommended for those with mobility issues.
The Cape Elizabeth Historical Society operates the Fort Williams Museum and Cape Elizabeth History Center located in the former Bachelor Officers’ Quarters down the road past the pickleball courts. Local and military history exhibits are on display for the public to view. For hours and exhibit information, visit the Cape Elizabeth Historical Preservation Society.Â
The lighthouse tower is open to the public only two days per year during Open Lighthouse Days.
Fort Williams Park requires visitors to carry out their trash, as there are no waste bins available. The use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs is prohibited on park grounds..
Commercial photography (still and video) is not allowed inside the park without prior permission. Fees may apply.
For park maps, history, and museum details, visit the official website of Fort Williams Park.