Curtis Farm Preserve

One of the nicest parts of this amazing preserve is the beautiful gravel beach on Curtis Cove — which you’ll likely have all to yourself. On certain days, you may even be able to see Mt. Washington.

“The pebble” is also fun — an erratic boulder much larger than a pebble that is reachable via a side path from the upper meadow.

If you start at the trailhead on Harpswell Neck Road, you’ll begin your walk along a wide, mown path that swings around a large, open field with bird houses. This grassy section of the trail is very easy and flat, and is a popular place for birders. Then you’ll have a choice of which way to do the 1-mile loop trail that will bring you to Basin Cove and Curtis Cove. Both trails descend at a moderate grade and include bog bridges over wet sections. Once you get to the beach, you should walk along it to reconnect with the marked trail.

Dogs should be on leash during bird nesting season, April 15-July 31.

Directions: You can park either on Route 123 or on Basin Point Road. Follow Harpswell Neck Road (Route 123) 5 miles south from its intersection with Mountain Road. The parking lot at the field is on the right. For the shore access, follow Harpswell Neck Road south another 0.2 miles and then turn right on Ash Point Road. Take your first right on Basin Point Road and drive 0.5 miles to a parking lot on the right.