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
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
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
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
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
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