This Maine Wildlife Refuge Makes For The Perfect Nature Day Trip
By Will Suphan|Published June 19, 2024
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Will Suphan
Author
Will has been living in Arizona off and on for 30+ years in the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas. He has traveled all over the state as well as having lived all over the Southwest. He's been writing for OnlyInYourState for one year and has previously written for Digital Journal. Will has a passion for travel and writing and combining the two is what he loves most. He loves solo international travel and has been to Thailand, France, Japan, and Cambodia.
Our stunning state of Maine is thankfully full of breathtaking natural areas with a wide variety of wildlife species. There are some unique pockets of nature that are not quite like most of the state. If you’re looking for a day trip in Maine where you can enjoy tons of activities and get a look at a truly singular nature sanctuary, plan a trip to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells.
The Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge protects salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds and has a variety of biomes and habitats. It was established in 1966 and is situated along 50 miles of coastline.
There are several species of animals and plants that aren’t found elsewhere in Maine. The major types of habitat here are tidal salt marsh, rocky coast, barrier/beach dunes, coastal meadows, and forested upland. It lies between an eastern deciduous forest and a boreal forest.
This place isn’t just full of natural beauty. There are many things to do like kayaking, hiking, birding, photography, hunting, fishing, and several educational programs, including a Junior Ranger Program for the kids.
There are three stunning beaches along the coast here, including Parsons Beach, Drakes Island Beach, and Wells Beach, and each one is a wonderfully soothing experience as you watch and listen to the ocean waves and smell the salt air.
The 5,570 acres of this refuge are full of wildlife like herons, garter snakes, egrets, chickadees, chipmunks, bullfrogs, ibises, sandpipers, and many others, including endangered species such as saltmarsh sparrows, piping plovers, and New England cottontails. It’s a birders paradise!
If you want a nature day trip but can’t decide between the beach, the forests, or the meadows, this refuge will give you all of those and more. You can even partake in ranger-led programs to get an in-depth look at the flora and fauna here as well as the conservation efforts taking place in this gorgeous refuge.
This is a place the whole family can enjoy as the trails are rather easy and there are interpretive trails to learn about what you’re seeing around you. You can easily spend all day here and remain fascinated by this place the whole time. What a wonderful place for a day trip in Maine.
Have you ever had the pleasure of exploring the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells? Please share your experiences with us in the comments. If you want to explore more beautiful places, check out these lovely hiking trails in Maine:
