Birch Island occupies an important place in Harpswell’s history. The island was first used by indigenous people, who traveled down the Androscoggin River to set up summer fishing camps on the coastal islands. The island is said to be one of the first settlements in Casco Bay. The 43-acre Birch Island Preserve remains undisturbed in… Read more
The Cliff Trail is one of the most popular trails in Harpswell. It is owned and managed by the Town of Harpswell. This is a rugged trail that includes a shore walk along tidal Strawberry Creek and spectacular views from 150-foot cliffs overlooking Long Reach. The trail features an inclusive .4-mile shore walk along tidal… Read more
Crow Island is a small gem of an island in Casco Bay on the coast of Maine. Crow is open for camping, and is part of the Maine Island Trail. The small 3-acre wooded island is surrounded by broad, highly productive mud flats at low tide. The southwestern part of the island is a great… Read more
Curtis Farm Preserve has much to offer visitors. The 1.25-mile trail system takes visitors through field, forest and to coastal bays, with scenic views along the way. The Preserve includes nearly 2,000 feet of shoreline on both Curtis Cove and Basin Cove, gravel beaches, a freshwater pond, forested freshwater wetlands and 15 acres of intertidal… Read more
The Devil’s Back Trail Area on Orr’s Island provides a lovely walk through woods and along rocky shoreline. The trail takes its name for the land it is on: the road runs along the “spine” of the Devil’s Back. The trail on the west side of the road has a trail system that winds through… Read more
The 40-acre forested peninsula and a 2-acre island on the northern end of Great Island make up wild Doughty Point and Island Preserve. The preserve is covered by a mature forest of white pine, red spruce, red oak, and mixed hardwoods. Spartina grasses fringe the point with extensive tidal mudflats to the east. An old… Read more
For dramatic coastal scenery in Harpswell, nothing beats the Giant’s Stairs. Named for its interesting geologic history, the Giant’s Stairs trail follows the rocky coastline with gorgeous views of eastern Casco Bay, often with crashing waves glinting in the sunlight. On any given day you might see rafts of ducks, foraging harbor seals or a… Read more
The Hackett and Minot Trails take visitors through a verdant, mossy forest with numerous lichen and club-moss glades, as well as a vernal pool. It’s a great place for a quiet woods walk. The vernal pool forms in a low-lying area of the forest, where water can collect in the spring and dry out in… Read more
The Helen and Walter Norton Preserve is a beautiful spot to pull out of the water in Middle Bay and enjoy a picnic, swim, or camping trip. This preserve is on the Maine Island Trail. The property has a fascinating history, having previously hosted native Americans, a shipyard, and then a boy’s camp. A shell… Read more
Located in the middle of Orr’s Island village, Houghton Graves Park provides visitors a breath of fresh air. Mowed grassy paths lead to picnic tables, views of beautiful Beal’s Cove on Harpswell Sound and provide access to the shore. This three-acre “pocket park” is a great place to spend a few minutes, or a few… Read more
The open field at the head of Mackerel Cove has been a Bailey Island landmark for generations. Overlooking one of Maine’s most scenic working harbors, Johnson Field offers visitors a place for family picnics, wintertime sledding, quiet moments of reflection, access to the beach, and spectacular views. This is a great place to launch a… Read more
The easy trail on this 22-acre Preserve is perfect for anyone looking for a peaceful walk or for listening for birds in peaceful woods. You’ll want to linger here to watch and listen for signs of wildlife that frequent the rich wetlands. The Little Ponds Preserve features portions of two ponds that make up the… Read more
Little Yarmouth Island Preserve consists of the southern half of Little Yarmouth Island at the entrance to Quahog Bay. It is one of a network of conserved islands in eastern Casco Bay, which serve as important habitat for birds and other animals and maintain the dramatic scenic views generations have enjoyed. The 13-acre preserve is… Read more
This spectacular 95-acre preserve provides one of the longest hiking trails in Harpswell. A challenging 1.5-mile loop trail winds through several different forest types, passes a peat bog nestled between two prominent bedrock ridges, and finally descends to the shores of Long Reach. This area is a prime example of Harpswell’s folded bedrock geology. Long… Read more
For a variety of recreational offerings, Mitchell Field can’t be beat. This 120-acre former U.S. Navy fuel depot property was transferred to the Town of Harpswell in 2001 from the federal government. It boasts several miles of paved and gravel paths, a sandy beach, a bandstand that hosts outdoor concerts, and the Harpswell Community Garden…. Read more
Otter Brook Preserve runs alongside one of the largest freshwater streams in Harpswell. This freshwater marsh, stream, and pond system is a scarce resource in our coastal community. All-season trails meander through the forest and provide 1.7 miles of pleasant walking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Visitors here enjoy quiet woods trails and glimpses of… Read more
If you love exploring the ocean shoreline, this tiny preserve has just about everything you could want. There are extensive tide pools to explore, a gravel beach and dramatic views of Casco Bay. Standing at the southern tip of the preserve, you can enjoy an unparalleled view of a number of the islands that make… Read more
Bowdoin College’s Schiller Coastal Studies Center (CSC) on Orr’s Island offers lovely coastal walking trails. A fine old farm with 2.5 miles of coastline, 3.6 miles of trails and a variety of habitats, the CSC has great views of Long Cove and Harpswell Sound and opportunities to view wildlife or just take a quiet walk… Read more
With fields, salt marsh and more than 4,000 feet of shoreline on Middle Bay Cove, Skolfield Shores Preserve is well-suited for a pleasant walk or spotting a wide range of birds, from meadowlarks to terns. The main trail system includes the Hemlock Loop and the Merrucoonegan Loop. For a total of one mile, these loops… Read more
Stover’s Point Preserve is a narrow gravel sandbar that wraps itself around a salt marsh. Salt marshes are unique, productive and sensitive habitats with plants and animals that are adapted to the changing tides and water conditions. Grasses grow well here, forming the base of a food web that includes fish, birds and shellfish. Please… Read more
Harpswell is blessed with a wealth of beautiful, iconic, natural vistas. Consider the seascape off Basin Point, the fishing harbor at Mackerel Cove, or Long Reach as seen from the high ledges of the Cliff Trail. So, it’s appropriate that the view from the Town Office on Mountain Road looking south to the mouth of… Read more
This trifecta of small islands features idyllic sand beaches and inviting campsites in the heart of Casco Bay. These beautiful islands lie just to the southeast of Lower Goose Island in Harpswell and include West Gosling (4.1 acres), East Gosling (8.6 acres) and Irony Island (1 acre). The two larger islands support a mix of conifers… Read more
The largest wild island in Casco Bay, Whaleboat’s scenic campsites, rocky shoreline, gravel beaches, and expansive meadow invite endless exploration. A grassy meadow and dense shrubland separate wind-ravaged spruce forest at either end of the island. The island’s uplands are bordered by cobble beaches, fringing salt marsh, ledges, and dramatic cliffs. There are no trails… Read more
The mudflats off the southern portion of White Island in Middle Bay provide excellent habitat for shore, land, and wading birds. Bald eagles and osprey have been sighted nearby, and it is a popular stopover for migrating birds and waterfowl during their spring and annual migrations. Explore the extensive mudflats at low tide, or take… Read more
This short loop trail is the perfect way to take in beautiful Widgeon Cove on Harpswell Sound. The path winds through woodlands, across ravines and along the shoreline where there are dramatic views of the cove. At this these scenic viewpoints, visitors can enjoy a picnic with family and friends, take pictures or just sit… Read more
This short out-and-back trail brings hikers to a dramatic cliff overlooking Wilson’s Cove. The views up and down Middle Bay and across to Birch Island are spectacular. The end of the trail provides a quiet place to sit beneath the red oaks and take in the water, land and sky. On a still day, the… Read more