Bass Harbor Head Light Station was constructed in 1858 from funds appropriated by Congress. The site was considered significant from 1858 to 1948 for its mid-19th Century design and construction, and for its association with Maine’s critical reliance on maritime transportation and aids that made that transportation possible. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The property was previously administered by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), totaling 2.5 acres with five structures contributing to the historic landscape. 

The Bass Harbor Head Light Station is located in Tremont, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island. Among about 80 lighthouses across Maine, it is one of three lights managed by Acadia National Park, including two others on Baker Island and Bear Island. It appeared on the America the Beautiful quarter in 2012, the NPS centennial postage stamp in 2016, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

With 180,000 annual visitors, the light station is the most visited place on the west side of Mount Desert Island and the fifth busiest destination in the entire park, behind only Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole. Public parking is limited to a single, small lot. Open spaces may exist only during the day.

Mount Desert Island in Hancock County is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of 108 square miles, it is the second-largest island on the Eastern Seaboard, behind Long Island and ahead of Martha's Vineyard. The island has a year-round population of over 10,000. Acadia National Park is located on the island and is visited by millions of tourists each year. The island is home to numerous well-known summer colonies such as Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor. 

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Visitors enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.