Fort McClary and Barter’s Creek Trail

Fort McClary trails in blue; Barter’s Creek Trail in orange.

This is a small state park with a dramatic fort and even more dramatic views. There are short walking paths to the left of the entrance gate; they start off on slate steps that lead into the woods. The fort was operated during five wars: the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I, but “like most other Maine forts, it saw little conflict.”

An equally beautiful walk is possible a short distance away, at the Fort McClary Playground. Cross Crockett Neck Road and walk down the driveway to the large parking lot. If you head to one of the picnic tables, you should be able to pick up a path down to Barter’s Creek Trail, which follows the beautiful creek for 0.3 miles. It can be rocky and rooty in places. On my map, the trail on the east side descends to the creek via stone steps.

Barter’s Creek Trail brings you to a couple of places where you can step out onto rock to look up and down the creek and admire what look like old pilings, now the home of lingering snails. The highlight is a little island (possibly inaccessible at high tide) that you can walk around and admire the clear water that alternates between green and blue. There are a few stepping stones placed across the bridge to reach the island, otherwise you might land a foot in some mud.

Directions: The entrance is 2.5 miles from Route 1 and Maine Turnpike on Kittery Point Road (Route 103).