Anna M. Tondreau Preserve encompasses 57 acres on Great Island, including forest carpeted with moss and lichen, fascinating rock ledges and walls, and undeveloped shoreline. It runs along the saltmarsh and mudflats of Orr’s Cove and Mill Cove in Quahog Bay, but it also hosts multiple small streams and a wetland. This preserve features habitat… 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 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
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
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
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
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