Standing in the Potomac River off Maryland’s southern shore, Lower Cedar Point Light was built in 1867 to guide vessels through the river’s treacherous shallows. This screwpile lighthouse served mariners for decades before being deactivated. Its distinctive hexagonal cottage-style design, perched on iron pilings above the water, makes it a striking example of Chesapeake Bay-era engineering.

The lighthouse is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but it remains a popular subject for photographers. Golden hour and misty morning conditions offer the most dramatic shots from shore or by boat. Nearby, visitors can explore Point Lookout State Park, the historic St. Clement’s Island, and the scenic waterways of St. Mary’s County.

Explore Nearby

• Cape Disappointment State Park — State Park in Washington
• Chapel Point State Park — State Park in Maryland
• Douglas Point Special Recreation Management Area — Public Land in Maryland
• Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area — Public Land in Virginia
• George Washington Memorial Parkway — Scenic Byway in Virginia