The Choptank River Lighthouse

The Choptank River Lighthouse stands on the waterfront in Cambridge, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is open daily, 9:30am to 5:30pm, between May 1 and Oct. 31.

The lighthouse is a faithful replica of an earlier beacon that guided vessels up and down the Choptank River. Inside is a small museum celebrating the rich maritime heritage of Dorchester County.

The visitor experience at the Lighthouse is managed by the nonprofit Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation:
410-463-2653
ChoptankLighthouse@gmail.com
PO Box 1235, Cambridge, MD 21613

Read more about the Choptank River Lighthouse.
Jill Jasuta Photography Lighthouse at Moonrise

Visit the Lighthouse



The Lighthouse is open daily, 9:30am-5:30pm, from May 1 through October 31. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated.

Here are more details about visiting the Lighthouse, including scheduling access by elevator and making appointments for offseason visits.
Visitors from Virginia 2017
Light Night 2017 Collage

The "Light Night!" Tradition

Our annual event will return in 2023!
"Light Night!" is an annual celebration of our Lighthouse. The event has drawn a sell-out crowd of 200 out to the Cambridge Yacht Club year in and year out for dancing, drinks, heavy hors d'oeuvres, auctions, and fun surprises. Information on future events will be posted on the Lighthouse Facebook page.

Choptank River Lighthouse license plate

Get Lighthouse License Plates


Show your pride in the Choptank River Lighthouse by buying a specialized license plate! Half of the $50 license plate fee is a donation that supports the work of the nonprofit Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation. For details and forms, contact 410-463-2653 or email the Choptank Lighthouse.
Jill Jasuta Photography LIghthouse in Daytime

Rent the Lighthouse for      a Picture-Perfect Event

Looking for a distinctive and beautiful spot for an upcoming event? The lighthouse is available for special event rentals! What a great space for an event with beautiful water views all around. The lighthouse can accommodate 30 people. For details, call 410-228-4031 or email dockmaster@choosecambridge.com.

Volunteer at the Lighthouse

Our volunteer “Lighthouse Keepers” serve as ambassadors for our community, welcoming visitors to the Lighthouse and helping them make the most of their time in Cambridge and Dorchester County. Our keepers to put in one half-day shift a month during visitation season. To learn more, call 410-463-2653 or email the Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation at ChoptankLighthouse@gmail.com.

Lighthouse Volunteer JoAnne Baker

Support the Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation


The Choptank River Lighthouse is owned by the City of Cambridge and serves as an office for the city dockmaster. The visitor experience is managed by a community nonprofit, the Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation, and its volunteers.

Make a donation:
Cambridge Lighthouse Foundation
PO Box 1235
Cambridge, MD 21613

There is a donation box inside the Lighthouse if you'd like to support our work that way. Proceeds from sales of gifts and keepsakes available in the small museum inside the Lighthouse go the the Foundation as well.

You can learn more about the Foundation here.
Jill Jasuta Photography Spiral Stair at Lighthouse

About the Photography

Many of the beautiful photos that you see here are by one of our volunteers, Jill Jasuta Photography. You can see more of her photos of Dorchester County and the Eastern Shore on her Facebook page. You will also find a selection of matted prints of Jill's Lighthouse photos for sale in the small museum inside the Lighthouse.

"The Jewel of the Choptank"


Shown below, "The Jewel of the Choptank" is an oil painting by Cambridge artist George Wright. George was among the tireless group of civic-minded volunteers who got our replica Lighthouse built. A print of this painting is hanging at the Lighthouse. There are also notecards made from the print available for sale in the small museum inside the Lighthouse when our volunteer Lighthouse keepers are on duty.
Prints of "The Jewel of the Choptank" are also available at: Downtown Frame of Mine, 319 High Street, Cambridge, 410-228-7977
The original hangs at:
Dorchester County Visitor Center, 2 Rose Hill Place, Cambridge
George Wright in the Choptank River Lighthouse
CRL George Wright Painting Jewel of the Choptank