Visit the Penobscot Narrows Bridge

Penobscot Narrows Bridge in Bucksport. Ft. Knox is in the foreground.

I have mentioned that a trip down Bucksport way to see Ft. Knox where they filmed a TV episode of "Ghost Busters" this winter would be a fun trip for summer visitors. Maine people will also enjoy it. Enjoy a fun day at Ft. Knox State Park, then take a ride up the tower elevator to see spectacular views.

As a college student, I had to cross that bridge, then called the Bucksport Bridge, to get to school. There was a time during that period when they were repairing the bridge and they laid down temporary planks we had to drive over on the bridge. Scary, let me tell you, when you could look down through the cracks and see the water.

The bridge is very different today. Here's some more information on the tower and ticket information you'll need for your day trip down to Bucksport.

Penobscot Narrows Bridge

A one-minute ride on the fastest elevator in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will take you to the top of the tallest public bridge-observatory in the world. The others are in China, Slovakia and Thailand. The observatory opened in May 2007 and has proved to be a very popular attraction. The beauty of the Penobscot River and surrounding countryside is immediately apparent as the elevator door slides open to a dizzying view from 420 feet up. Ascend two more levels up to find 360 degrees views, complete with identification panels showing you how to locate nearby mountains, lakes and towns.

The Penobscot Narrows Observatory has a limited capacity, so all tickets are “time stamped” to help visitors avoid waiting in line. When you arrive at Fort Knox, the entrance booth attendant will tell you the next available time for your observatory visit, and your tickets will show that “go time.” If there’s a wait, feel free to explore historic Fort Knox, take a guided tour of the fort, visit the Visitor Education Center and gift shop, or leave the park and explore the area until it’s time for your ride.

Group Tours: Interested in taking a group to the observatory? Advance group ticket sales are available! Please call our group ticket sales office at (207) 469-6553 during weekday business hours.

The tower is open 9:00am-5:00pm, 7 days a week. Hours are extended to 6:00pm in July and August.

Admission Fee Schedule

12 & older: Fort only $3.00; Fort & Observatory $5.00

Ages 5-11: Fort only $1.00; Fort & Observatory $3.00

Under 5: No charge for Fort or Observatory

Park Passes & School Groups:

12 & older: No charge for the Fort; Observatory $2.50

5-11: No charge for the Fort; Observatory $2.00

Any person seeking admission to the Observatory must also pay the admission fee for the park.

State Park Season Passes and Senior Citizen Passes are not honored for admission to the observation tower, but do count for admission to the park.

Visit Jonathan Buck's memorial while you're there (see related blog "The Witch of Bucksport)

 "Have Fun!