Falmouth, Maine
The trail is 1.25 miles long.
I would suggest visiting early morning, in the evening, or during the weekdays because there is a very limited number of parking spaces on the island.
Dogs are welcome and must be kept on a leash at all times.
This small island has a walkable trail that follows its coastline and a variety of landscapes. There is a sandy beach with sea grass and hopeful fishermen, a pebble shore, and jutting iron-laced bedrock to explore.
The interior of the island is a bustling wild bird sanctuary humming with the sounds of beating wings and chirping songs.
My favorite part of the island is this strip of oxidizing bedrock on the West side of the island. It is the perfect place to stop and think while having a picnic lunch.
Duke agrees! 😺
The old growth forest that covers the island stretches right up to the coast and there is plenty of drift wood.
The trail is extremely well maintained, has a steady incline, and short in distance which makes it one of the few day-trip destinations that is available year round (just maybe not during a Noreaster.)
Cute little chipmunk making its home in a shoreline crevasse!
I hope you guys get a chance to check it out! I'm looking forward to taking another trip to Mackworth Island this winter, it will be so beautiful adorned with snow and frost covered trees.
🖤 Annie
Google Maps:
This is the trail guide from Falmouth town website
There is a park entrance fee of $3 for each ME resident or $4 for each out of state resident. Kids and senior citizens are free.
Here's a little more info from trails.org:
"Mackworth Island is a legislated bird sanctuary and is connected to Falmouth by a causeway at the mouth of the Presumpscot River. It is the former home of James Phinney Baxter and of his son, Governor Percival Baxter, and was deeded to the State of Maine in 1943. Currently it is the site of the Baxter School for the Deaf. The island is open to visitors from dawn to dusk. The perimeter path is maintained by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. An outhouse is also available in the parking lot. This easy trail circles Mackworth Island and offers excellent views of Casco Bay. The trail surface is wood chips and packed soil, which may be slippery when wet, but the terrain is generally level, with moderate slopes not exceeding 10%. There are no steps or other major barriers to wheelchairs on the main loop. Small side trails follow steep slopes to the shore and may be inaccessible to some visitors. A new staircase with handrail has been added to a side trail on the south side of the island."