If you’re looking for a lovely little hideaway, Mackworth Island State Park is a well-hidden gem right outside of Portland, Maine. A gorgeous park with beautiful beaches and a walking trail, this spot is the perfect place to get outside and enjoy everything Maine has to offer without running into a lot of people. It’s so quiet and secluded, you’d never know you were just a 10-minute drive outside of the biggest city in Maine!
There’s a gorgeous island just a short drive from downtown Portland, Maine that’s begging to be visited.
This enchanting spot is completely hidden, and if someone didn’t tell you about this wonderful state park, you wouldn’t even know it was there! It’s hidden on an island in Casco Bay.
In fact, you have to navigate through a neighborhood that looks like it would be a dead end.
Then you cross a land bridge into Casco Bay before arriving at this enchanted island. The island is completely deserted except for the Baxter School for the Deaf.
The school is centered in the middle of the island, and the trails take you around the edges.
You’ll see views of Portland, and stunning ocean vistas. There are sandy beaches and rocky ones, too, so it’s a wonderful place to go tide pooling.
You will even come across an enchanted fairy forest.
Visitors are encouraged to add to the fairy houses built in this area. There are also numerous benches to relax on as you traverse the trail.
The 1.25-mile hiking path navigates the complete circumference of the island.
It’s an easy hike that’s well maintained. It’s flat and packed, although it can get muddy and slippery when it rains.
As part of the Maine State Parks, there is a day-use fee charged.
When you drive up to the gate, you can pay the fee with an attendant before parking. It is $3 per adult Maine resident and $4 for an adult non-resident.
If you have a morning or an afternoon and you want to explore the Casco Bay Area, head to Mackworth Island.
With incredible views of the ocean, miles of beautiful trails, and plenty of wildlife to spot, this is a wonderful place to spend the day. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day in one of Maine’s hidden parks.
Have you ever visited Mackworth Island State Park? What did you think? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments below!
If you need somewhere to eat after exploring this beautiful state park, you need to visit The Treehouse Restaurant In Maine That’s Straight Out Of A Fairytale.
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