Great Shoals Light stands in the Wicomico River near the confluence with the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Built in 1882, this screwpile lighthouse guided vessels through the shallow, treacherous waters that gave it its name. The hexagonal cottage-style structure sits atop iron piles driven into the river bottom, a design common to Chesapeake Bay lights of the era. Now deactivated, Great Shoals Light is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, but remains a striking sight from the water. The best photography opportunities come during golden hour, when warm light reflects off the river’s calm surface. Nearby, visitors can explore Deal Island, Whitehaven Ferry, and the waterman heritage of Somerset County.

Explore Nearby

• Matapeake State Park — State Park in Maryland
• Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden — State Park in Maryland
• Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street — Scenic Byway in Maryland
• Jericho Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Maryland