Lighthouse History on the Potomac

Piney Point Lighthouse was the first lighthouse built on the Potomac River. The lighthouse and keeper’s house were built in 1836; the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Together, these features anchor the site in the area’s maritime history. For travelers interested in maritime heritage, Piney Point offers a clear focus. The construction date places the lighthouse and keeper’s house in the same historical period, while the listing identifies the museum’s separate historic designation.

Boat Collection and Historical Traces

The maritime boat collection includes the 67-foot skipjack Joy Parks. The history of U-1105 is also connected to Piney Point. In the fall of 1949, the submarine was towed to an anchorage off Piney Point, Maryland. The wreck off Piney Point in Saint Mary’s County was rediscovered by divers in 1985 and is preserved as a dive preserve. These dates tell different parts of the story: 1949 marks the tow to the anchorage, while 1985 marks the wreck’s rediscovery. This keeps the transfer and the later discovery as separate historical events.

Tower and Activities on the Water

The tower at Piney Point Lighthouse is open for climbing during the museum’s visitor hours and offers views of the Potomac River and the Piney Point area. If you plan to climb the tower, check visitor hours in advance; access is limited to those hours.

The Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Historic Park is accessible by boat. A kayak launch is located on its northern grounds, next to the Potomac River Maritime Exhibit. Boat access and the kayak launch describe different ways of using the water: one concerns arriving at the site, while the other is a place to launch a kayak. Since launch operations may change, check current conditions if you’re planning to kayak.

Cycling Route and Beach Walk

A National Park Service description, last updated June 16, 2025, lists a road cycling route between Point Lookout and Leonardtown that passes through Piney Point as a stop along the way. Road conditions can change; check them before setting out. At Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Historic Park, visitors can walk along the beach.

When choosing a destination, it helps to distinguish between a visit focused on the site and a stop along a route. The lighthouse, museum, and historic boat collection provide a cultural focus; the road cycling route places Piney Point as a stop between Point Lookout and Leonardtown. These are two different roles: spending time exploring local history or stopping along the way. If climbing the tower is part of your plans, also take the museum’s visitor hours into account.

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