Shhhh: Explore the less-traveled Maine Beaches Region
Our local experts share the inside scoop on hidden gems
These days when the summer beach traffic goes right, we like to go left. Summer is prime time for our beloved sandy beaches in Southern Maine, and rightfully so! But this time of year we also like to explore the Maine roads less traveled, and that often means heading inland a bit to explore our hidden gems that shine bright this time of year. We encourage you to follow the shiny light and consider checking out the local secret spots as recommended by our local Chamber of Commerce directors who all live locally and graciously share the inside scoop on their communities:
Fort Foster (Kittery): We love Fort Foster because it’s a different kind of day at the beach. Along with three small beaches, the town park features historic forts (active 1901–1946), a playground, a covered pavilion for picnics, and lots of walking trails. We especially love the views from the long wooden pier as well as the 2.1-mile graveled walking trail around Fort Foster. Dogs welcome, and the park is open daily from 10 AM to dusk; daily admission is $25 per car.
Mount Agamenticus (York): Pronounced aga-men-ti-cus, Mt. A as it’s referred to by locals, offers the best views around southern Maine! That’s because it’s the tallest peak locally (692 feet), and you can either hike or drive to the top and enjoy panoramic views, plus a Summit Learning Lodge and a variety of well-marked hiking trails to accommodate all abilities. Our favorite is the Ring Trail to Summit Loop, with plenty of places to stop and take in the view. Mt. A, surrounded by 10,000 acres of preserved land, is open year-round from dusk to dawn (6 AM to 7 PM in the summer) and parking costs $2/hour, either online via Pango or with cash for the “Iron Rangers” onsite.
Vaughan Woods Memorial State Park (South Berwick): Lose yourself here without actually getting lost! We love this Maine state park along the Salmon Falls River that borders New Hampshire. The Bridle Path and River Run trail combine to make one long loop, and you can shorten or lengthen your walk with any of the cut-throughs. Near the historic Hamilton House, this park features a playground, picnic tables, a grill area for groups and an outhouse. Come find your peace! The park is open daily from 9 AM to sunset daily in the summer. Non-resident admission fee is $4 per person; cash or check only.
Dorothea Jacobs Grant Common (Ogunquit): Think of it as a garden oasis in the heart of a bustling Ogunquit. The park is adjacent to a large parking lot, but most people book it to the beach and miss the beautiful park on the other side. Perfect for quiet reflection or a family picnic anytime, the town common is home to Music in the Park (free live music every summer Sunday night), as well as other events throughout the year. The Ogunquit Heritage Museum next door is open for limited hours and is a treasure trove for local history. The Heritage Museum also runs walking history tours in Perkins Cove each Monday and Wednesday during the summer.
Wells Harbor Shellfish Lab (Wells): The new shellfish lab is a real-life touch tank in Wells Harbor! Free and open to the public, here you can find sea stars, hermit crabs and horseshoe crabs in their tanks, as well as “seed clams” the Wells Harbormaster will place in the clam flats next spring. On weekends, you can also buy lobster fresh off the boats of junior lobstermen! The lab is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, closed on Mondays. It’s run by volunteers in hopes of inspiring the next generation of fishermen, and they seem to be doing just that!
Sanford Springvale Rail Trail (Sanford): The Sanford-Springvale Rail Trail is a 6-mile trail built on the old track line that passes through Sanford. Running from the Lebanon town line to Main Street in Sanford, this multi-use trail through woodlands and wetlands is hard-packed gravel and great for walking, biking and horseback riding. It passes Deering Pond, an undeveloped body of water that reportedly contains a derailed railroad car that sank in the “bottomless” pond. Toward the end of the 1800s a freight car loaded with sugar derailed and went underwater on the Sanford-Lebanon line. A conical knoll of rocky glacial till on the Lebanon side marks the spot and has come to be known as “Sugar Loaf Hill.”
Hope Woods Preserve (Kennebunk): Within a few miles of Kennebunk’s bustling beaches, near downtown Kennebunk, is the Hope Woods Preserve. Protected by the Kennebunk Land Trust, the 72 acres there offer 2 miles of trails behind Hope Cemetery. It is especially notable for an .8-mile Accessible Trail for those with strollers or wheelchairs. Just as the word “hope” in its name implies, the tranquil oasis also provides remarkable peace and quiet, with only the nearby church clock chiming on the hour.
Roll ‘Em Easy Flow Trail (Arundel): Bring your own bike and enjoy Southern Maine’s only modern-day bike playground! This dirt trail located alongside the Arundel Community Trails is .3 miles and features fun banked turns, smooth rolling bumps and other agility-type features. The natural landscape adds to the “flowing” trail, providing opportunities for riders of all ages and abilities. While there you can also ride the trails out to the larger Eastern Trail for a flat-path ride.
Parson’s Way (Kennebunkport): With views similar to the wildly popular Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Kennebunkport’s own Parson’s Way along Ocean Avenue is only marked with a small sign so most folks don’t even know it’s a “thing.” The 2-mile walk begins just after Colony Beach (park near the entrance there, or at St. Ann’s Church about .4 mile farther down Ocean Avenue); there is a sidewalk the entire length, or you can rough it on the oceanside of the road and stop along the many benches there overlooking the surf and stunning views and explore the rocky outcroppings.
Timber Point Trail / Granite Point (Biddeford): This oceanside trail checks all the boxes for the ultimate relaxing coastal walk! Its limited parking makes it almost impossible to ever feel crowded, so get there early or get lucky. This Rachel Carson Wildlife Preserve property includes a 1.4-mile loop on the Timber Point peninsula along salt marshes, ocean edges, the sandy cove and mixed forested areas. Adding to the adventure, Timber Island is only accessible by foot at low tide! There is no admission fee, and it is open to foot-traffic only from sunrise to sunset. The packed-dirt paths are also wheelchair-friendly.
Cascade Falls (Saco): Yes, we have a waterfall in southern Maine! Part of Saco Bay Trails, Cascade Falls is tucked down a ravine and largely unknown to the masses headed to the nearby Old Orchard Beach. The captivating 20-foot horsetail waterfall can be a bit seasonal, but the falls are a site to see year-round. While on the Falls View Trail, be on the lookout for an old metal cage, which used to house a bear when the former Cascade Inn owned the land and provided guest entertainment! The Trout Pond Loop is hard-packed with stone dust and allows easy access for wheelchairs and strollers.
At the end of your day exploring our Maine roads less traveled, we hope you’ll also enjoy some traditional Maine favorites! For information on our beaches, lighthouses, restaurants and eateries, family fun, trails for walking, hiking, biking, theater, galleries, and so much more visit TheMaineBeaches.com.
“I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” ~ Robert Frost