QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 100 acres
- Trail Mileage: 2.7-mile loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: sandy beach, meadow, saltwater coves, playground
This is another beloved spot for Cape Elizabethians (I used to be one), and other Mainers and tourists. (There are several beloved spots in the town, it’s a rather nice place to live!)
Crescent Beach State Park includes a gorgeous mile-long sandy beach. The beach and 100 acres here are rented by the state from the Sprague family for a nominal fee — hopefully a deal that will extend into perpetuity. This place, if you are lucky and if you visit at dusk, can slay you with its sunsets. But it is beautiful at any time of day, in any weather.
There’s a great 2.7-mile loop to walk here: Starting at Kettle Cove, walk the length of the beach, climb up on the grassy bank at the end, head through the fields and woods to the access road, turn right on the access road to the main parking lot. Return via the wheelchair-accessible lane behind the dunes.
You can also explore the easy trails and boardwalks behind the smaller Kettle Cove beach.
Like many popular spots in Maine, visiting here in the off-season is so wonderful. Park at Kettle Cove or the main parking lot.
Dogs are allowed off season (Oct.1-March 31), but must be on leash.
Directions: Kettle Cove and Crescent Beach State Parks are adjacent to one another and are located 8 miles south of Portland, off of ME-77. Kettle Cove is located at the end of Ocean House Road, left off of ME-77; continue 0.5 miles farther on ME-77 to find the Crescent Beach entrance and gate.
Check out more info and photos from Crescent Beach State Park and Kettle Cove State Park at Carefree Creative, a Maine-based web company that has helped us with our website!
