QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: +200 acres
- Trail Mileage: ~4.5 miles in network
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: salt marsh estuary, rocky shoreline, Casco Bay, Harraseeket River.
This is a lovely and well-known state park in Freeport, with splendid seaside trails. I recommend the North Loop Trail, the Casco Bay Trail (which is accessible), and the Harraseeket Trail on the other side of Wolfe’s Neck Road. If you do the entire perimeter, including the North Loop, the walk is a little under three miles.
From Sam Shirley:
This popular 245-acre state park in Freeport has a wonderful network of trails along the shore and through coastal forest. Because of its popularity, it may be best to visit in the off-season, when it is less likely to be crowded. (Plus, the colors of the sea in the muted winter light are beautiful! — RG.) The park’s trails are unblazed, but are well maintained and usually have good signage at intersections. Because of the many trails in a relatively small area, it is very helpful to have a park map with you.
The east side of the park is the busiest. There are a variety of trail loop options and access points to the rocky shore of Casco Bay. You can see many islands dotting the bay, and you may spot nesting ospreys on Googins Island, just offshore. This island is closed to the public, due to the nesting birds. There is a large picnic area near the parking lot, year-round restrooms, and a half mile long accessible trail (the White Pines Trail).
On the west side of the park, the Harraseeket Trail, Power Line Trail, and Hemlock Ridge Trail see somewhat less use. There are a few cliff-top viewpoints over the Harraseeket River looking towards Freeport. If you pay attention, you can also spot a huge rock which has broken away from the coastal cliff.
Directions: Four and a half miles from Route 1 in downtown Freeport, via Bow Street and Wolf Neck Road.
