Last Updated: May 2026
Lubec, Maine holds a distinction that sets it apart from every other town in the contiguous United States: it is the easternmost incorporated municipality in the country. Perched on a narrow peninsula where Cobscook Bay meets Passamaquoddy Bay, Lubec feels like the edge of the world — and in the best possible way. During our 2017 summer road trip through New England and Atlantic Canada, we crossed the short international bridge from Campobello Island, New Brunswick, and spent several unforgettable days soaking in the history, wildlife, and extraordinary light of this remote corner of Maine.
Crossing into Lubec, Maine
Our route to Lubec was a bit unusual — we had been traveling through New Brunswick and spent time on Campobello Island before crossing back into the United States via the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Bridge. This small international bridge connects Campobello Island directly to Lubec, making it one of the more intimate border crossings we have encountered in our travels. The crossing itself is quick and relaxed, and suddenly you are in Maine — technically standing farther east than any other point in the contiguous US.
Sunset Point RV Park
Our home base in Lubec was Sunset Point RV Park, and the name could not be more fitting. The park sits on a point overlooking the bay, and our RV faced west — which meant we had front-row seats to some of the most spectacular sunsets of our entire trip. The park offered 50-amp service and excellent water pressure (around 45 psi), though there was no sewer hookup at our site. For a few days of exploring this remarkable area, it was an ideal base.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Just a short drive — and an international border crossing — away, Roosevelt Campobello International Park was the centerpiece of our visit to the area. Jointly administered by the United States and Canada, this unique park sits on Campobello Island in New Brunswick and preserves the summer home where Franklin D. Roosevelt spent much of his childhood and early adult life. The island itself is beautiful, with scenic roads winding past fishing harbors, rocky lookouts, and dense spruce forest.
The drives around Campobello Island were a highlight in themselves. The island’s roads wind through some stunning coastal scenery, and we encountered bald eagles — a surprisingly common sight in this part of the world — perched in the trees and soaring along the shoreline.
Fireside Restaurant
Before touring the Roosevelt home, we stopped for lunch at the Fireside Restaurant, located right within the park complex. It is a classic, unpretentious spot serving hearty food — perfect fuel before spending a few hours exploring the grounds and the cottage.
The Roosevelt Summer Cottage
The Roosevelt family’s “cottage” — a term that rather undersells this substantial 34-room estate — is preserved largely as it was during FDR’s time. Walking through the rooms, you get a vivid sense of the family’s life here. The interiors are full of period furnishings, family photographs, and personal mementos, including a striking photograph of Roosevelt with Churchill and Stalin — a powerful reminder of the global stage this New Brunswick summer boy would eventually come to occupy.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt is a towering figure in her own right, and the park gives her legacy full due alongside FDR’s. She first came to Campobello as Franklin’s fiancée and returned for decades as wife, mother, and eventually as widow. Eleanor was instrumental in maintaining the family’s connection to the island even after FDR’s polio diagnosis in 1921 — contracted here on Campobello. Her strength, intellect, and lifelong humanitarian work made her one of the most admired women of the 20th century, and spending time in the spaces she called home makes that legacy feel very tangible.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
Back on the American side, West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is one of Maine’s most iconic landmarks — and it marks the easternmost point of the contiguous United States. The lighthouse’s distinctive red-and-white candy stripe pattern makes it instantly recognizable, and the surrounding Quoddy Head State Park offers excellent hiking along the Coastguard Trail. We brought our dog Jake for the walk, and the trail’s rugged coastal scenery — dramatic cliffs, peat bogs, and spruce forest pressed up against the fog — made for a genuinely memorable afternoon.
Downeast Charter Boat Tours
One of the absolute highlights of our time in Lubec was booking a trip with Downeast Charter Boat Tours. The excursion took us out into the waters surrounding Campobello and the Bold Coast, and the wildlife viewing was extraordinary. Bald eagles were plentiful — we lost count of how many we spotted perched along the shoreline and soaring overhead. We also encountered Minke whales surfacing near the boat, along with harbor seals and porpoise. It was a genuinely thrilling few hours on the water.
The Minke whales were a genuine surprise — we had not expected to find baleen whales surfacing this close to shore. They came up several times near the boat, giving us excellent views before slipping back beneath the dark, cold water.
The tour also brought us alongside East Quoddy Lightstation (Head Harbour Lightstation) on the northern tip of Campobello Island — one of the most photographed lighthouses in Atlantic Canada, recognizable by its bold red cross design. Seeing it from the water gave a perspective you simply cannot get from the shore. The boat also passed through the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest natural tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. The swirling currents are dramatic up close, and it is one of those natural phenomena that earns its reputation.
Lubec Sunsets
With our RV facing west at Sunset Point, we were treated to breathtaking evening skies every night. The combination of Cobscook Bay’s open water, the low-lying coastal landscape, and the clean maritime air creates conditions for truly spectacular sunsets. We made a ritual of sitting outside each evening to watch the colors develop — and we were never once disappointed.
Visitor Information
Roosevelt Campobello International Park is open late May through mid-October. The Roosevelt Cottage offers free guided tours, and the park grounds are accessible year-round. Note that Campobello Island is in New Brunswick, Canada — you will need to cross an international border and carry valid passports. The FDR Memorial Bridge crossing is typically quick and low-traffic.
West Quoddy Head State Park is open year-round during daylight hours. A small day-use fee applies in season. The Bog Trail and Coastal Trail are well-maintained and offer outstanding views of the bay and the Canadian shoreline.
Downeast Charter Boat Tours operates seasonal whale-watching and wildlife excursions from Lubec. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends. Tours typically run two to three hours.
Practical Tips for RV Travelers
Sunset Point RV Park is an excellent base for exploring Lubec. The park provides 50-amp electric service and solid water pressure. There is no sewer at all sites, so plan your waste management accordingly. The bay-facing sites are worth requesting — the sunset views alone justify the stop.
Lubec is a small town with limited services, so stock up on groceries in Machias or Calais before arriving. Cell coverage can be spotty in parts of the area. If you are traveling with pets, the Quoddy Head State Park trails are dog-friendly — Jake thoroughly approved of every mile.
The international bridge to Campobello is accessible for passenger vehicles and smaller rigs, but the roads on the island are not suited for large motorhomes. We left our coach at the RV park and explored Campobello in our tow vehicle — a good plan for anyone with a big rig.
