Maine State Parks

Maine has 32 Maine State Parks and each one is unique in its own way. I have visited every park in the state of Maine over the years and Ferry Beach State Park is one of my favorites. I like this park because it is on the beach and is not as busy as some of the more popular beaches in the area like Old Orchard beach just a couple of miles to the north and the beaches in Wells and Ogunquit to the south.

Ferry Beach State Park is just east of Biddeford and is located in Saco. It features unique attractions that cannot be found in other parks in the area. Ferry Beach State Park gives wildlife lovers a unique chance to see a grove of Tupelo, better known as black gum, trees. These trees are extremely rare at this latitude and prove to be a real treat for anyone visiting the Northeast. This state park features a large amount of history that is often overlooked by the average person.

Before highways were common in the area, beaches were the safest and easiest means of transportation. Ferry Beach State Park received its name because of the ferry crossing located within Saco River that served beach travelers during the previous decades.

Ferry Beach State Park is well-known as a natural wildlife area with an excellent beach, nature trails, and even a guided, and very educational, nature walk. The miles of white-sand beaches will always be the most well-known aspect of Ferry Beach State, but there is much more. Just behind these beaches are frail sand dunes, a protected swamp-area, and a large number of forested trails. The sand dunes are a unique example of how their unique “dune-grass” protects them from erosion. This happens because the roots run so deep, that they hold the dune in place like glue. However, the grasses are easily destroyed by simply walking over them. Over the years, these dunes have proved to be immensely important in saving the forest areas from devastating ocean waves.

The forest has become well-known for birders aimed at catching a glimpse of the unique nesting birds in the area. Even the swampy area has gained popularity because it leads to a fantastic forest full of oak, pine, and even hemlock. The trails that run through Ferry Beach State Park, are perfect for any level of hiker. They can combine into different loops to make the trails as long or short as people want and run through the gambit of habitats available in the area.

Coming soon is a new Nature Center. It is aimed at expanding and improving the parks already popular natural history programs. It will be next to the parking lot and serve as the home-base for guided and self-guided trips throughout Ferry Beach State Park. It will also highlight some of the favorite visitor pastimes such as clamming, fishing, and hiking. It is projected to break ground in 2010, so keep an eye out for the perfect addition to such a unique and awe-inspiring environment



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