Maine State Parks

Popham Beach State Park continues to be one of the most popular places in the Midcoast Region. It is just south of Kennebec River and covers almost 530 acres of land highlighted by sandy beaches that are perfect for sunbathing as well as some very unique geological landforms. There are few places in Maine that are better suited to sitting and relaxing in the summer sun. Popham Beach State Park is open from April 15 to October 30.

Popham Beach State Park is well-known for the long stretch of beach within it. However, it is important to note that because of the beach dynamics, the sand moves quite a bit over the course of a summer. This causes the shoreline to shrink considerably during high tide as well as cause severe and ongoing dune erosion. During high tide, the beach can start to seem extremely cramped during busy times.

The Atlantic surf in this area is less serene than in other areas along the Maine coastline. This is sure to bring out surfers on a daily basis. Lifeguards are always on duty throughout the summer, however all swimmers need to keep in mind that the rolling surf can cause aggressive undertows and the random rip tide. So make sure to swim within your abilities and near the lifeguards.

If swimming isn't your thing, don't worry. Popham Beach State Park is primed with shell collectors and patrons casually strolling the beach. It has proved to be a great place to sit, relax, and take in some sun. There are scattered picnic areas as well as open fire grills. During the months of July and September, these grills are often full of bluefish and striped bass that are caught by surf casters. On rare occasions, porpoises can even be seen off of the coastline.

Another reason that Popham Beach State Park is popular is simply its location. There are not only great things to do in the park, but also surrounding it. There is currently an excavation in progress to uncover the original settlement of Popham and Fort George, which dates back to 1607. There is also a nearby 600 acre wildlife preserve consisting of beaches, marshland, and rivers. There are even two historic lighthouses that everyone should see dating back to 1855 and 1795. The Sequin Lighthouse (1795) is the oldest lighthouse on the east coast and sits atop the rock Sequin Island.


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Owls Head State Park is one of the smallest state parks in Maine. Compared to many of its counterparts, there may seem like little reason to take a walk through it. However, if you skip Owls Head State Park, you will miss some of the best views in all of Maine.

Owls Head State Park has one big attraction and that is the Owls Head Lighthouse. It has consistently proven to be one of the most popular lighthouses in all of Maine, and there is definitely some stiff competition. It was built in 1825 and stands over 100 feet in the air.

Owls Head Lighthouse has long guarded the entrance to Rockland Harbor and was initially designed to help assist vessels carrying lime, which was the greatest export of the time. No one is entirely sure where Owls Head got its name, but one of the most common legends has to do with the native americans that lived in the area. Some say that Owl's Head is the literal translation for the native american's name for the area: Medadacut. Others say that the name came from sailors in 1759, who noticed a resemblance of an owl's head in the rock formation that the lighthouse was built on.

This lighthouse not only draws in visitors because of its splendor, but because of the legends surrounding it. In one story a couple were trapped on a ship during a winter storm and were frozen alive in a giant block of ice in 1850. The lighthouse keeper, upon discovering them, took them inside so that they could thaw, and they soon made a full recovery. Another story involves a dog that lived in the lighthouse named “Spot”. He always greeted ships as they past by the lighthouse by pulling a rope connected to the fog bell with his teeth. During a fierce blizzard, a mail boat went missing and Spot was sent out to the fog bell, which was made inactive by the snow. Spot started barking, which led the boat back to shore.

When going to see the lighthouse, keep in mind that it is now on land owned and operated by the Coast Guard. This means that you will not be able to walk right up to it, but rather must view it from the bottom of the steps that lead up to it.

While you are there, make sure to not only take the trail to the lighthouse, but also a trail that juts off from it. This will lead you to the beautiful, rocky shoreline. It is here that you can get the best views and take the best photogenic shots of the lighthouse and the rust colored cliffs that it is built on. If you feel like exploring, there is even an old graveyard hiding within Owl's Head State Park.


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Moose Point State Park can easily be found off of US 1 in between Belfast and Searsport. It is known by locals as a great place to get away from the nearby busy, populated areas. While it is not a spot to spend several days, it is a place that is definitely worth an afternoon visit. With picnic tables across from the parking lot, it has a cozy and family-friendly feel to it.

In total, Moose Point State Park is over 183 acres and a large majority of it is next to the bay. The beach is known to be rocky, so make sure to bring shoes for the walk. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of entertainment from exploring the forest and tidal pools to sitting and relaxing while taking in Penobscot Bay. There is an ocean-side trail that only takes about 10 minutes to walk down, however it connects to a loop into the wooded area which will add another 20 minutes to your journey. As you walk down the beach, or just relax on the many available benches, you will get a breathtaking view of Islesboro, Sears Island, Northport Harbor, and the Eastern section of Penobscot Bay.

The unique blend of forest and ocean create a soothing aroma of bay bushes and evergreens mixed in with the salty air. The trails are very well maintained, which makes every walk a relaxing one, with many picnic areas to stop and relax at. If you get lucky, there is a wide variety of wildlife at your disposal. Eagles, harbor seals, osprey, double breasted cormorants, porpoises, seas ducks, loons, and sandpipers can all be found while strolling along the paths.

If you stop and explore the tidal pools, you can often find sea urchins, whelks, hen clams, mermaids tears, periwinkles, and mussel shells. Keep in mind that none of the trails permit bikes, and the trails can run between 1.5 and 2 miles depending on your course.

It is not uncommon to have the entire beach to yourself at times. If you stop and explore, you can lose an entire day just relaxing and enjoying the unique environment at Moose Point State Park. The best part is that this park can be enjoyed during any season. Moose Point State Park may not be a weekend getaway spot, but it is a great way to spend an afternoon relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding areas.



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